In the decade of the 60's, it became obvious to the citizens of the Victoria area that greater opportunities were needed in higher education: no institution within a 100-mile radius offered baccalaureate and master's degrees. There were many junior college students and graduates in the region who wanted to continue study beyond the associate degree, and a growing number of people who had bachelor's degrees were anxious to pursue master's degrees. Most of these potential university students had families and jobs in the area and would find leaving home difficult if not impossible. By April of 1969, an organized group began working to bring an upper level institution to Victoria.

After many meetings between Texas legislators and community leaders, approval was granted by the Coordinating Board of the Texas College and University System to establish an off-campus center of the University of Houston in Victoria. In 1973 about 100 students entered the newly opened University of Houston Victoria Center. Ten years later, in April 1983, Senate Bill 235 was passed by the Texas Legislature and the center became the University of Houston-Victoria, with permanent status as a degree-granting university.

The student population has now grown to approximately 1,600 students, and some 4,200 bachelor's and master's degrees have been conferred.

Role and Scope

The University of Houston-Victoria, founded as an upper-level institution in 1973, is one of four institutions in the University of Houston System. The primary role of the university is to provide upper-level and graduate instruction to students within the Coastal Bend region, including collaborative programs in Fort Bend County. The university shares facilities and some services with The Victoria College and also works with Bee County College, Wharton County Junior College and Houston Community College.

The university serves students who have completed two or more years of college, providing bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and professional certification programs. Many students are employed adults with obligations to their jobs, families, and communities, as well as to their studies. Because of the ethnic and cultural diversity of the region, the university recognizes the responsibility to serve the needs of minority students, particularly under-represented groups.

The university offers degree programs in education, business administration and specified areas of the arts and sciences. These programs produce business, education, and human service professionals who can communicate effectively, who have marketable skills, and who demonstrate the appropriate level of mastery of their fields.

Teaching excellence is primary at the institution. The faculty are professionally active in research and other scholarly activities and are current in their fields. The university is committed to providing an environment conducive to learning and working productively.

The university serves the area in ways which enhance the economic, social, cultural, and professional life of the community. It is dedicated to building strength in programs supporting the region's various technological, petrochemical, health and human services, educational, commercial, and small business sectors.

The University of Houston-Victoria is committed to being a good steward of its resources as it fulfills its mission in the region.

Key Facts

UH-Victoria is governed by the Board of Regents and the Chancellor of the University of Houston System. Administrative responsibility is vested in the President.

UH-Victoria is composed of the divisions of arts and sciences, business administration, and education. Junior, senior and graduate level course work is provided. The faculty hold doctorates from a wide range of research universities throughout the United States.

Undergraduate students are eligible to transfer to UH-Victoria after completing a minimum of 54 semester credit hours of academic course work at an accredited institution. They may concurrently enroll after completion of 30 semester credit hours.

The University of Houston System is a state-assisted system of four universities: the University of Houston, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, and UH-Victoria.

Educational Standards - Accreditation

UH-Victoria is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's and master's degrees.