According to the UHCL Mission Statement, “The University offers the highest quality instruction and nationally accredited academic programs designed to develop the critical thinking, creative, quantitative, leadership and communication skills of students.”
Goals
To serve its mission, in 2010 UHCL adopted a comprehensive Strategic Plan to address the issue of student success. Specifically, Goal #2 of the UHCL Strategic Plan states that “University of Houston-Clear Lake will provide a supportive student-centered campus environment focused on student access and success.”
UHCL has embraced seven objectives focused on student access and success to meet Goal #2 of its Strategic Plan:
- Achieve downward expansion.
- Develop new academic programs and enhance existing programs to meet community and student needs.
- Develop and deliver quality online and off-campus programs.
- Increase student financial support, including scholarships.
- Provide academic and support services to increase student enrollment and retention.
- Develop the critical thinking, creative, quantitative, leadership and communication skills of our students.
- Enhance and support student life including student government and organizations, recreation, housing, community service, leadership development, research and other activities
Student Achievement
As a public institution the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) evaluates its success with respect to student achievement on an ongoing basis. The tables below present the highlights of student achievement at UHCL.
Graduation Rates
From its inception through Spring 2014, UHCL was an upper-level institution. In Fall 2014, UHCL accepted its first freshmen class. As a result, six-year graduation data for first-time freshmen will not be available until Fall 2020. A vast majority of undergraduate students at UHCL are transfer students. The table below displays the four-year and two-year transfer graduation rates for the past five years.
| Academic Yr | 4 Yr Transfer Rate (%) | 2 Yr Transfer Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 73.6 | 19.1 |
| 2016 | 71.4 | 21.0 |
| 2015 | 68.8 | 28.2 |
| 2014 | 74.9 | 29.1 |
| 2013 | 75.4 | 27.1 |
Source: UHCL Legislative Control Board (LBB) Performance Measures report (Outcome 33, 38)
Degrees Awarded
Since its first graduating class in 1975, UHCL has awarded bachelor and master level degrees. In 2007 UHCL began offering a doctoral degree, and in 2010 the university awarded its first doctoral degrees. The table below displays the number of degrees awarded at each level and the total degrees awarded for the past five academic years.
| Academic Yr | Bachelor Degrees Awarded | Master Degrees Awarded | Doctoral Degrees Awarded | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1325 | 1222 | 17 | 2564 |
| 2016 | 1,291 | 1,235 | 13 | 2,539 |
| 2015 | 1,299 | 1,288 | 23 | 2,610 |
| 2014 | 1,255 | 1,054 | 9 | 2,318 |
| 2013 | 1,203 | 1,114 | 15 | 2,332 |
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board CB9 Graduation Report (Graduation Trends AY)
Course Completion Rates
Over the past five years, course completion rates at UHCL have consistently been above 93 percent, as shown in the table below.
| Academic Yr | Completion Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 94.7 |
| 2015 | 94.5 |
| 2014 | 94.3 |
| 2013 | 94.0 |
Source: UHCL LBB Performance Measures report (Outcome 16)
Persistence Rates
Historical data suggest high persistence rates for transfer students at UHCL. The following table provides the annual persistence rate of returning transfer students, as measured in each of the past five fall semesters.
| Academic Yr | 1 Yr Transfer Persistence Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Fall 2016 who returned Fall 2017 | 82.6 |
| Fall 2015 who returned Fall 2016 | 80.3 |
| Fall 2014 who returned Fall 2015 | 83.3 |
| Fall 2013 who returned Fall 2014 | 84.5 |
| Fall 2012 who returned Fall 2013 | 86.2 |
Source: UHCL LBB Performance Measures report (Outcome 43)
Student Satisfaction
UHCL measures student satisfaction using the Student Satisfaction Index from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Over the past five years, UHCL has consistently obtained a satisfaction index of over 85 percent, indicating a high level of satisfaction among graduating seniors.
| Academic Yr | Student Satisfaction Index (%) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 90 |
| 2016 | 89 |
| 2015 | 92 |
| 2014 | 89 |
| 2013 | 91 |
Source: NSSE UHCL Progress Card
State Licensing Examinations
The UHCL teacher certification rate has been above 90 percent since 2010. In 2016, all students who attempted the certification process successfully obtained teacher certification. The table below provides the certification rate of UHCL students for the past five years.
| Academic Yr | Teacher Education Certification Graduation Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 100.0 |
| 2016 | 100.0 |
| 2015 | 99.2 |
| 2014 | 100.0 |
| 2013 | 100.0 |
Source: UHCL LBB Performance Measures report (Outcome 17)
Job Placement Rates
Eighty-four percent of the students who received a bachelor’s degree at UHCL in 2015 either obtained employment upon their graduation from the university or were enrolled as students at a higher education institution. The table below displays the number and percent of undergraduate students who gain employment after degree completion as well as the number and percent of those who are working and/or enrolled in higher education courses after completing a degree at UHCL.
| Undergraduate Completers | Cohort Size | All Working Count | All Working Percent (%) | Total Working Count | Total Working Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-2016 | 1,292 | 1,004 | 78 | 1054 | 82 |
| 2014-2015 | 1,294 | 1,029 | 80 | 1,083 | 84 |
| 2013-2014 | 1,252 | 983 | 79 | 1,042 | 83 |
| 2012-2013 | 1,189 | 922 | 78 | 981 | 83 |
| 2011-2012 | 1,226 | 939 | 77 | 1,029 | 84 |
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – Exit Cohorts http://www.txhighereddata.org/reports/performance/ctcasalf/exitcohorts/