The Online Psychology Degrees national website recently recognized one of the University of Houston-Victoria’s graduate special education programs as among the best in the nation.
The UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development’s Master of Education in Special Education with an applied behavior analysis concentration was ranked 17th nationally in the website’s 2018 Top 30 Master’s in Behavioral Analysis Online list. The applied behavior analysis concentration is one of three options UHV students pursuing a master’s in special education can study.
“This ranking is an exciting acknowledgement of our graduate special education concentration in applied behavior analysis,” said Fred Litton, dean of the school. “The special education program is an important part of UHV’s offerings to help area educators better serve their students, and I am proud to see this concentration be recognized for its excellence.”
When choosing programs for the ranking, the website considered programs in applied behavior analysis, human behavior, special education and criminal justice as well as general psychology programs that offer a specialization in behavioral analysis. From there, the website considered accreditation, accessibility, job training and coursework.
UHV’s program is easily accessible because it is completely online, said Andria Young, associate professor of special education. Because the program is available through the internet, students anywhere can earn their degrees.
The coursework for the program has been vetted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, which means students are taking courses that will prepare them for the national certification exam to become board-certified behavior analysts.
In addition, the online accessibility offers an advantage because most of the students are professionals already working in clinics or the classroom. That means many of the students already are in a position where they can get their supervision hours at their current place of employment.
“UHV places a lot of value on preparing educators in the region to best serve the needs of their students,” Young said. “Our special education programs have seen a lot of growth since the degree was first offered in 2010, and we have been able to help many students develop the tools and knowledge they need to help others succeed.”