Students Served, In-State, and Out-of State:
Founded in 1982, Heritage University is a private, nonprofit, regionally accredited institution. Within the Colleges of Education/Psychology and Arts and Sciences, the University offers more than 15 majors for Bachelor degrees and 10 concentrations for Master degrees. The College of Education and Psychology provides Bachelor of Education, Master of Education, Master in Teaching, and Washington State Certification Programs for teachers, counselors, and administrators throughout Washington State. University enrollment now exceeds 1,400, with over 50% of the population pursuing education degrees and/or certification. There are approximately 260 program completers per year in the teacher, administrator, counselor, and professional certification programs. Teacher placement rate exceed the state average of 58%.
Although Heritage’s central administrative offices are located on its main campus on the Yakama Nation Reservation near Toppenish, the University also operates regional undergraduate and graduate educational programs. These include five regional sites located at Moses Lake/Big Bend Community College, Omak/Wenatchee Valley College, Seattle, Tri-Cities/Columbia Basin College, and Yakima. Dual admission agreements at Columbia Basin College, Wenatchee Valley College, and Big Bend Community College help facilitate an opportunity for a seamless educator preparation for place-bound students.
Distinctive Characteristics:
In over 20 years, Heritage University has evolved into an institution nationally recognized for developing natural talent and bringing opportunity to diverse populations in the Yakima Valley and other regions and locations in Washington State. Our mission is to provide quality, accessible higher education to multicultural populations, which have been educationally isolated.
The rich cultural diversity of the institution is clearly reflected in its student population, which is 45% Caucasian, 41% Hispanic, 10% Native American, 2% Asian-American and 2% African American. The College has carefully constructed curricula, field experiences, critical reflection and clinical practices to assist all certification candidates in developing knowledge, skills, and dispositions to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
High need endorsement programs in ESL, bilingual, middle, and secondary math and science, and middle level humanities help support the needs of pre-service teachers and school districts. In 2004-2005, seventy-one (71) educators were endorsed in English as a Second Language through academies, institutes, and course work to help teachers and school districts close the achievement gap for ELL students. Collaborative relationships with schools districts, regional Educational Service Districts, and university partners ensure rigor and relevancy in all performance-based programs.
The permanent faculty is augmented with numerous adjunct faculty comprised from highly qualified practitioners that deliver instruction through a convenient evening or weekend model. Consistency of high academic standards and instructional practice are ensured through a systematic model of professional development based on faculty needs and assessment system data.