College of Professional Education

Dean: Brigitte Vittrup, Professor
Location: SH 202-I
Phone: 940-898-2202

Associate Dean for Educator Preparation and Partnerships: Gina Anderson, Professor
Location: SH 202-G
Phone: 940-898-2980

Associate Dean for Research and Innovation: Maria Peterson-Ahmad, Associate Professor
Location: SH 202-E
Phone: 940-898-2214

The programs in the College of Professional Education (COPE) advance knowledge through teaching, research, and service in order to foster thriving families, schools, and communities. The College houses three schools: the School of Human Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Library and Information Studies.

Programs in COPE have earned a reputation for producing extraordinary professionals who are leaders in their communities. Our programs focus on the helping professions aimed at building better communities - one student, one person, and one family at a time. Through high-impact, hands-on learning experiences, we create opportunities for students to thrive.

The College of Professional Education offers master's degrees in the areas of library science; child development; child life; family studies; marriage and family therapy; counseling; school counseling; teaching; early childhood education; educational leadership; literacy education; multilingual and multicultural studies; and special education. We also offer doctoral degrees in the areas of human development and family studies; marriage and family therapy; special education; literacy, language, and culture; and education, leadership, and organization.

The College offers professional educator preparation and certification for school librarians, principals, superintendents, school counselors, reading specialists, and diagnosticians.

Educator preparation programs in the College are accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The Master of Library Science degree is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The Master of Science in Counseling and Development degree is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy are accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The Child Life program is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). 

Areas of Study

For admission to any of our graduate programs, please visit the TWU Graduate School webpage.