University of Houston--Clear Lake

School mission (as provided by the school):

University of Houston-Clear Lake is an innovative, partnership-oriented institution that enriches the lives of its students through high-quality academic programs. Founded in 1974, it offers students many paths to career and personal success through its upper-level undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of business, education, human sciences and humanities, and science and computer engineering. UHCL awards undergraduate degrees in 39 disciplines, master's degrees in 44 disciplines and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership.

Approximately 8,100 students attend UHCL, with over 4,500 undergraduate students. In addition to traditional face-to-face instruction, distance learning options are an integral part of the university's education delivery system. Many students take advantage of off-campus programs at partner institutions and various off-campus sites in the Houston metropolitan area.
Most recently, the UHCL Pearland campus opened its doors for fall 2010. Pearland is a thriving Houston suburb located 14 miles from the main UHCL campus. Over 500 students attended the new campus. Undergraduate programs currently offered at the Pearland campus are accounting, behavioral science, criminology, interdisciplinary studies, management and psychology. UHCL Pearland Campus shares the 30,659-square-foot modern facility with Pearland Economic Development Corporation, which occupies 8,043 square feet. The university's space includes classrooms, a library, a student lounge, teaching labs, offices and a faculty suite.
UHCL creates and refines academic programs to ensure they meet real-world needs. New degree offerings recently approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board include the Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology as well as making more and more degree plans available online.
UHCL maintains accreditation by the Commission on Colleges in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, each of the university's four schools is accredited by leading professional agencies. Active partnerships with local business and industry in these fields complement classroom study, providing students with dynamic career opportunities through internships, research and employment.

UHCL is nestled midway between Houston and Galveston, Texas, in the Clear Lake area, a waterfront-region also known as Bay Area Houston. Encompassing seven distinct cities, the region touches more than 35 miles of waterfront. It boasts unique shopping, a booming boating community and awe-inspiring nature preserves. The area is also home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, a number of astronauts and thriving aerospace and energy industries.

The university is surrounded by a serene, 524-acre natural environment that includes park-like settings, a winding bayou and heavily wooded areas abundant with wildlife. University Forest Apartments, a privately owned and managed apartment complex built in 1995, offers on-campus housing. The Alfred R. Neumann Library provides students with online access to thousands of books, journals and scholarly resources as well as personal research assistance. UHCL's many centers, institutes, clinics and laboratories also offer students a broad range of opportunities for conducting research and applying academic theory.