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- Department of Applied Behavior Analysis, Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology
- Department of Counseling
- Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Environmental Science and Policy
- Department of History and Leadership
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience
- Academic Advising
- Community Counseling Clinic
- The Washington Center
Evidence-Based Addiction Counseling
Program Snapshot
Program Type
Certificate
Department
Psychology and Behavioral NeuroscienceAddiction Counseling Professionals Are in High Demand Nationally
Provide support to individuals and families experiencing the fallout of alcohol and substance abuse with a Certificate in Evidence-Based Addition Counseling.
Offered through the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, the Certificate in Evidence-Based Addiction Counseling provides you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to pursue a career as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Texas. This program meets the 270 educational hours required of the Texas Department of State Health Services and prepares you to become a Counselor Intern if you meet the other requirements (including criminal background check) for the profession. Please review the licensure requirements and standards in the Texas Administrative Code
What makes this certificate program unique?
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This is the only program of its kind offered in a four-year university in Texas, and it provides training in gold-standard evidence-based treatments for addiction including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. You’ll learn the transdisciplinary foundations that guide evidence-based addiction treatment, including (1) Understanding Addiction, (2) Treatment Knowledge, (3) Application to Practice and (4) Professional Readiness.
Based upon scientific research and evidence-based practice, the Certificate in Evidence-Based Addiction Counseling program empowers you to give individuals the tools they need to remain in recovery and repair and strengthen relationships with family, friends and coworkers. Completing this certificate will increase your chances of getting competitively paid positions as LCDC-I upon graduation.
Who is a candidate for this certificate?
The Certificate in Evidence-Based Addiction Counseling program is open to students majoring in Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Social Work or Sociology. Students with other majors who are interested in this program should consult with Program Director Katherine Trevino, Ph.D., at kellygr@stedwards.edu.
If you’re drawn to a career that helps people but aren’t sure you want to attend graduate school, then this certificate provides a pathway to serve as an addiction counselor with your bachelor’s degree.
If you are pursuing a degree in Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Sociology or Social Work, consider adding a Certificate in Evidence-Based Addiction Counseling. The 19-credit-hour certificate overlaps with many courses already required for Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience.
For students who may want to attend graduate school, completing this certificate improves their applications to graduate programs, and becoming an LCDC-I gives them a way to work part-time while attending graduate school and gaining valuable experience in the field.
What is the career outlook for addiction counselors?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23% job growth for substance abuse counselors from 2020–2030, which is much higher than the average 11% projected growth rate for other professions. The growth in this field is partially due to the Affordable Care Act which requires insurers to include substance abuse treatment coverage in all medical plans. There is also an increased focus on addiction as a public health issue. Decreasing stigma about addiction and recovery is eliminating barriers that have prevented people from seeking help when needed. Given these trends, it’s likely that job growth will continue for addiction counselors.
For 2024–2025, this certificate is open to St. Edward’s University students with declared majors in Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Social Work and Sociology. Students should contact Kelly E. Green, PhD, at kellygr@stedwards.edu for the application process and enroll in PSYC/SOCW 2326 as soon as their schedule permits.
For more details and course descriptions, view and download the Undergraduate Course Bulletin (PDF).
Environmental Management
Program Snapshot
Program Type
Certificate
Unlock Career Opportunities in Environmental Management
Make a difference in natural resources conservation and oversight with a Certificate in Environmental Management from St. Edward’s.
This 12-credit hour certificate program allows you to acquire tools and research skills such as applying ecological principles and environmental surveying and monitoring techniques that prepare you for conservation and management fields in the private and public sectors.
What will you learn?
Required courses in the program will equip you with a working knowledge of the plant and animal species of Texas, threats to native species, wildlands, and soil and water resources, and an interdisciplinary understanding of conservation and restoration approaches. You’ll gain ecological skills in plant and animal identification, habitat monitoring and restoration.
Because much of the success of conservation activities relies on being able to work with people, there is also a large emphasis placed on stakeholder engagement and science communication. Elective courses within the program emphasize building additional skills and knowledge that help you succeed in this field, including proficiency with Geographical Information Systems (GIS), social and natural science research skills, and a good understanding of environmental laws and policies.
Who is a candidate for this certificate?
The certificate is restricted to students majoring or minoring in the Environmental Science and Policy program. The certificate curriculum goes beyond the required interdisciplinary courses for the degree by providing specific training and research experience needed to prepare students for employment and graduate study in ecology and natural resource conservation and management.
What are job opportunities?
This certificate will equip students for a variety of jobs in environmental management, including natural resource conservation and management, ecological monitoring, and ecological restoration with public agencies such as the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection, the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, and the Hill Country Conservancy.
Required Courses
There are two required courses for this program:
- Texas Ecology – ENSP 2316
- Natural Resources Conservation and Management – ENSP 3326
Elective Courses
Students must choose at least two elective courses from the following list, all of which are regularly offered and require no prerequisites:
- Environmental and Ecological Field Methods – ENSP 3329
- Geographic Information Systems – ENSP 4333
- Environmental Law – ENSP 3399
- Environmental Politics and Policy – ENSP 4330
Amy Concilio, PhD, associate professor of Environmental Science and Policy, is the certificate director. She teaches courses in ecology, natural resources conservation and climate change, and has an active undergraduate-centered research program focused on ecological restoration, climate change and biodiversity conservation in the Texas Hill Country.
James Checkley, JD, a practicing environmental attorney with several decades of experience, teaches ENSP 3399 – Environmental Law. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the legislation that impacts environmental decision-making on public and private lands, such as NEPA and the ESA. This is an elective course for the certificate but we highly recommend taking it!
Political and Civic Engagement
Program Snapshot
Program Type
Minor
Become a More Engaged Citizen
Develop expertise in navigating the political world through academic and hands-on experiences with a minor in Political and Civic Engagement.
Through the St. Edward’s tradition of academic excellence, award-winning faculty, and rigorous curriculum, we ensure that graduates will have the skills to succeed in the 21st-century workplace. In keeping with the St. Edward’s mission, students in the Political and Civic Engagement minor will analyze problems and propose solutions to society’s most critical issues.
The Political and Civic Engagement minor enables students to apply their classroom knowledge to the community through applied courses, internships and a Civics Laboratory.
This distinctive program amplifies opportunities provided by Austin’s diverse community to bring the political world into the classroom. Austin is the best city in Texas to study politics through direct involvement, and this minor maximizes the university’s location and its resources as a destination university. Minoring in Political and Civic Engagement enhances the skills and credentials of students majoring in Communications, Environmental Science and Policy, and Business Administration, as well as students seeking skills-based coursework.
What can our graduates do?
By taking advantage of Austin’s experiential opportunities and coursework at St. Edward’s, this minor prepares students to work directly in politics or a related field. Here’s a sample of career paths:
- Lobbying and Advocacy
- Campaign Managers
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Policy
- Public Service
- Project Manager
- Elected Official
Who is an ideal candidate for this minor?
The Political and Civic Engagement minor takes your existing degree to the next level by developing the transferable skills that employers seek — in collaboration, creative problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, communication and leadership. The compact and exciting curriculum makes it attractive to students from any discipline who are interested in practical classes and pursuing a more just world.
Minor Requirements
The Political and Civic Engagement Minor provides a blend of required and elective courses that enable students to progress quickly through the curriculum. It has 18 required hours taken within the Political Science Major.
Required Courses:
- The Civics Lab
- State and Local Government
Choose elective courses to total 18 hours. These elective courses may include:
- Public Policy
- Nonprofit Advocacy
- The Legislative Process and Lobbying
- Austin Politics in Action
- A mentored internship course
Our Faculty
At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.
View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Environmental Science and Policy webpage.
Leadership and Social Justice
Program Snapshot
Program Type
Bachelor of Liberal Arts
Department
History and LeadershipHelp Create a More Just World
Build leadership skills, learn how to expand your sphere of influence and explore ways you can be a change agent and advocate for social justice within your workplace and community.
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Leadership and Social Justice at St. Edward’s — an online and face-to-face, part-time program — supports emerging leaders in a range of fields that impact social justice issues. Subject matter is brought to life by merging theory and real-world experiences.
Core courses guide you in strategizing and reflecting on your goals for engaging in social justice work, and help you develop strong skills in critical thinking and oral and written communication. Elective courses allow you to examine leadership and social justice within multiple areas: the arts, education, history, language, philosophy, political science, religious studies, social work, sociology, and women’s and gender studies.
Why earn your Leadership and Social Justice degree at St. Edward’s?
Whether your passion for social justice leads you to a role in the nonprofit sector, criminal justice system, social work field or with a humanitarian cause, one thing is certain: The advantages of your St. Edward’s education will prepare you to succeed. You’ll find opportunities in and outside the classroom to learn, give back and achieve your goals. And your mentors will support you every step of the way.
Build relationships with your professors
Learn in small classes taught by award-winning professors with years of real-world expertise. They’ll get to know you, help you identify and focus on your goals, and provide guidance and insight during and after your college years. They’ll leverage their experience — and connections — to help you build your network.
Join a vibrant, like-minded community
Inspired by the Holy Cross mission of St. Edward’s, our campus community is passionate about serving others and creating a more just and humane world. In keeping with our mission, you’ll be prepared to approach issues from a perspective of equity, inclusion and human rights.
Reap the Rewards of Austin
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities and economies in the U.S. and home to numerous Fortune 500 firms and nearly 1,500 nonprofit organizations. Our Austin location, partnerships and connections allow you to immerse yourself in a dynamic business environment that offers a wealth of internships and jobs aligned with improving social conditions.
What are job opportunities for graduates?
This online program prepares students to lead social improvement efforts and work with social-justice focused organizations in roles like these:
- Community Organizer or Activist
- Diversity Officer
- Nonprofit Leader
- Fundraiser
- NGO Project Manager
- Outreach Coordinator
- Case Manager
Explore More Details About the BLA in Leadership and Social Justice
Degree Plan
Major Requirements:
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Leadership and Social Justice requires a total of 33 hours of major courses, which include a combination of required leadership, social justice and communication courses as well as electives selected from the arts, education, history, language, philosophy, political science, religious studies, social work, sociology and women’s and gender studies.
Required Courses:
Students complete these three required courses totaling 9 hours:
- Introduction to Leadership and Social Justice – Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful change-maker, activist and community organizer. You’ll explore how grassroots movements can transform communities, cultural norms and global systems. Experiential learning strengthens your skills in choosing effective tactics, facilitating groups, active listening, public speaking and catering to specific audiences.
- Leadership and Social Justice Capstone – Integrate the knowledge and skills identified in the St. Edward’s University mission statement, incorporated into the courses included in the program, and honed during the completion of the BLA degree. Through a student-initiated, experiential-learning research project, you’ll demonstrate an understanding of ethical leadership infused with the fundamental tenets of social justice.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Leadership and Social Justice major, LDSJ 1301, and senior standing. - Writing and Rhetoric – Choose from a selection of courses that fulfill this requirement. Course topics cover creative writing, professional and workplace writing, grant proposal writing, social media and content writing, and more.
Required Electives:
Students choose eight courses totaling 24 hours, four from the social justice area and four from the leadership area. At least two options from each area must be at the 3000–4000 course level.
For more details, view and download the Undergraduate Course Bulletin (PDF).
The part-time format of the Leadership and Social Justice program provides flexibility for non-traditional students, working adults and transfer students seeking to complete their undergraduate degrees. Major requirements will be completed through a blend of online, hybrid and face-to-face class modalities.
Teacher Education
Program Snapshot
Program Type
Minor
Develop Skills Essential for Making a Difference in Students’ Lives
Share your passion for learning as a teacher, and inspire and empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Get ready for a rewarding profession that’s always in demand with a minor in one of our two teaching pathways — Teacher Education certification and Education Studies.
You’ll learn from professors who have years of classroom experience and are invested in your success. They’ll teach you best practices in courses that engage your head and your heart, train you in the latest educational technology, and prepare you to work in culturally diverse schools with students who have a range of needs.
And you’ll get into the classroom long before you start your student teaching. With service learning and teaching experiences that gradually give you more and more responsibility, you’ll be ready when it’s your time to lead.
Explore Our Two Teaching Pathways
The minor in Teacher Education 7–12 teaching certification equips you to teach at the Middle School (7–8) or High School Level (grades 7–12). These degree programs are designed to provide strong content area preparation with pedagogical training and real field experiences in active schools.
Major in one of these content areas and add a minor in Teacher Education.
Secondary school teachers play an instrumental role in shaping students’ lives as they mature and consider options for after graduation. This program prepares prospective teachers to educate and guide students toward college and other endeavors they will navigate in the real world.
Required Courses:
- Schooling, Education and Society – EDUC 1330 – 3 hrs.
- Learning Processes and Evaluation – EDUC 2331 – 3 hrs.
- Educational Technology Integration – EDUC 2332 – 3 hrs.
- Curriculum and Evaluation in the Secondary School – EDUC 4334 – 3 hrs.
- Content Area Literacy – READ 4343 – 3 hrs.
- Introduction to Special Education – SPED 2324 – 3 hrs.
- Student Teaching Seminar–Secondary – EDUC 4349 – 3 hrs.
- Student Teaching Internship –EDUC 4361 –3 hrs.
Teacher Education Program Policies for Certification (PDF)
Learn about the requirements and guidelines for becoming a teacher in Texas. Review details on licensure and testing for teacher certification, classroom technology standards, a plan of study and required courses, criteria for applying to the Teacher Education program and Student Teaching Internships, student learning outcomes, and much more.
How do our graduates perform?
Graduates from our program shine once in the classroom.
- 16 recent teacher education graduates earned the Teacher of Promise Award at their school site and were chosen out of all new teachers for their early leadership and growth as professionals
- 10 outstanding graduates won the coveted Teacher of the Year Award at their school, selected from all faculty across the school site as the most dedicated and excellent teacher
- 3 exemplary teacher education graduates have been honored with the penultimate District-wide Teacher of the Year Award, chosen from among all teachers in an entire school district
The minor in Education Studies is for those who wish to pursue education from a desire to teach in private school settings, to pursue post-graduate alternative teaching certification, or to teach outside of the formal K–12 classroom setting. Students who wish to teach overseas, work with the elderly, lead environmental education trips, work in museums, or support after-school programs will gain valuable insight into learning styles, teaching methods, technology integration, etc.
You'll complete authentic internships, study learning theories, explore the uses of innovative technologies and practice new skills in the field.
Required Courses:
- Schooling, Education and Society – EDUC 1330 – 3 hrs.
- Learning Processes and Evaluation – EDUC 2331 – 3 hrs.
- Educational Technology Integration – EDUC 2332 – 3 hrs.
- Curriculum and Evaluation in the Secondary School – EDUC 4334 – 3 hrs.
- Content Area Literacy – READ 4343 – 3 hrs.
- Introduction to Special Education – SPED 2324 – 3 hrs.
- Internship for Non-Certification – EDUC 4365 – 3 hrs.
Teacher Education Roadmap
Explore your options and determine the correct order of classes to take, when to officially apply to the program, and how long it takes. Create a plan with your advisor and success coach to get started on your pathway today!
Learning Opportunities and Outcomes
Learn by Doing
In addition to hands-on learning in the classroom, students have the opportunity to customize their experience and specialties with co-curricular activities. Education enrichment opportunities allow you to:
- Engage in classroom-based learning experiences
- Design assessment, planning, and instructional strategies
- Explore a wide range of classroom settings
- Work with children with a range of moderate learning and behavioral challenges
- Service Learning
In the majority of our courses, students are asked to complete five to twenty hours of service learning in public, charter, private or parochial school classrooms as directed by course instructors.
Clinical Field-Based Experiences
Educational immersion is a hallmark of the Teacher Education curriculum at St. Edward’s. Field-based courses give you hands-on experience in community classrooms, exposing you to an environment in which you’ll eventually teach. As a result, you will enter the classroom with realistic expectations and sound methods of behavior management and teaching pedagogy.
The upper division field-based course program enables you to build strong relationships with mentor teachers and creates a pipeline for you to find work after graduation. Our students are highly sought after and top-of-mind candidates at partnering schools. Students have received job-offers even before their student teaching requirements have been completed.
Student Teaching
As a Teacher Education minor, before becoming a student teacher, you’ll complete 80 to 120 hours of teaching experience in one-on-one, small-group and whole-class settings. This helps you implement theories of curriculum and pedagogy taught in professional development courses. It’s also a chance to apply critical thinking skills associated with content courses in your major.
St. Edward’s Educators (SEE) StudentOrganization
The objective of SEE is to provide professional development for preservice teachers in the form of presentations on critical issues in education as well as opportunities to volunteer in a community school. Members will be required to participate in at least three organized events across the academic semester.
Students pursuing a minor in Teacher Certification or Education Studies gain transferable skills and knowledge that are highly sought after in any profession.
- Critical-thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Organizational and analytical data gathering
- A deep understanding of social issues within the education field
- Leadership and decision-making abilities
- Problem-solving abilities
- Strategic thinking and action planning
- Teamwork and management skills
- Ability to explain complex concepts in a professional setting
- Effectively debate and present theories
Our graduates go on to win district and school accolades, run their departments, move to specialty positions in district, and successfully teach in a variety of settings in Texas and beyond. Here’s a sample.
- Principal at Akins High School in Austin.
- High-school English teacher in the Austin Independent School District
- Art educator at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin
- Department chair of Algebra 1 at Skyline High School in the Dallas area
- Education program instructor at Walt Disney World
- Mathematics curriculum writer for major textbook company
- AVID coordinator and success coach at Travis High School
- Eco-Wellness Teacher at Austin Discovery School in Austin
At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.
View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of History and Leadership webpage.