DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE, LITERACY, AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (Plan III). This degree plan is designed for those holding a valid Elementary teaching certificate or Vocational Home Economics teaching certificate. The master’s program in Early Childhood Education is an interdisciplinary plan with courses taken for a variety of subject fields. The degree plan originates in the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations.

Master of Education in Reading/Language Arts Education (Plan III). This degree plan is designed for those holding a valid Elementary or Secondary teaching certificate. The candidate must have three years successful teaching experience and successfully complete a departmental comprehensive and/or portfolio examination. This program can lead to the Reading Specialist Certification in Texas. The degree plan originates in the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations.

Master of Education in Special Education (Plan III). This degree plan is designed for those holding a valid Elementary or Secondary teaching certificate. It can lead to the Generic Special Education and/or Diagnostician Certification in Texas. The degree plan originates in the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations.

Master of Arts, Plan I. This degree is designed for individuals who wish to write a thesis as part of the requirements for the degree, it is available to majors in Reading and Special Education. A comprehensive examination will be taken upon the completion of or during the final semester of course work. The degree plan originates in the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations.

NOTICE

The State Board for Educator Certification may mandate changes in certification programs which may become effective for students enrolled in the University under this catalogue. Such changes may affect the graduation and certification requirements listed in this catalogue.

Deficiency Plan Fee Policy
A deficiency plan must be requested by a school district on official letterhead and submitted to the certification department along with an official transcript showing degree conferred.
The fee scale described below is for the preparation of a deficiency plan leading to teacher certification. All fees are payable to Sam Houston State University by cashier’s check or money order.
(No refunds made.)
$30 Non-SHSU graduates
$15 SHSU graduates (bachelor’s or master’s degree)

The special certificate programs approved for this university are for Educational Diagnosticians, Learning Resources Specialists, Reading Specialists, School Administrators, and School Counselors.

The candidate for a special certificate is required to have completed a minimum of twelve semester hours of required graduate course work with grades of “B” or better before he is eligible for admission to a special certificate program. Admission to special certificate programs is not permitted without adequate and reliable information concerning the candidate. Factors in reaching a decision on an applicant include:

1. Quality of applicant’s completed graduate work.

2. Results of tests, standardized and others, which may be required.

3. Information from public school administrators concerning the candidate’s success as a teacher and probable success in the field for which the candidate is seeking special certification.

4. Recommendations from University faculty members who have known the candidate as a student.

An applicant for a special certificate must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete a program for a master’s degree.

2. Complete the approved program for the specified certificate with a minimum of a “B” average in the required course work.

3. Complete the teaching and/or work experience as required for the specific certificate.

4. Pay an application fee of $75.

Educational Diagnostician. Certified classroom teachers desiring to function as Educational Diagnosticians must complete a 45-hour semester program encompassing a master’s degree, Plan III. To be eligible for this professional certificate the student must complete the following course work: SPD 535, SPD 537, SPD 538, SPD 562, SPD 567 or 568, SPD 631, SPD 637, SPD 677, SPD 678, SPD 679, CNE/PSY 595, ASE 660, RDG 530, EED/SED 593, EED/SED 597.

Learning Resources Specialist. This program replaced the Professional School Librarian Certificate Program effective August 31, 1979. Additional information is included in the Department of Library Science section of this catalogue.

Reading Specialist. Students desiring to work as an all-level Reading Specialist should complete Plan III for the Master of Education degree with an 36-hour major in Reading including RDG 530, RDG 532, RDG 533, RDG 561, RDG 688, RDG 589, RDG 590, RDG 587, RDG 638, RDG 598, RDG 675, and a BSL 571. Three years successful teaching experience is required.

School Administrator. The program for the Principal Certificate requires the completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree and includes the following: ASE 532, 563, 572, 578, 579, 586, 662, 668, 671, 694; six semester hours from ASE 510, 630, 660, 695, 696 or other ASE courses as approved.
The program for the Professional Certificate for School Superintendent requires the completion of a minimum of 51 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree and includes the following: completion of the 36 semester hours required for the Principal Certificate plus ASE 630, 673, 690, 695. Electives will be substituted for any required courses which were completed as part of the Principal Certificate.

School Counselor. The Texas Education Agency issues one certificate, the Professional School Counselor Certificate, to individuals who have ompleted an approved program in counseling. Students desiring the complete counselor certification should complete Plan III for the Master of Education degree including CNE 533, 534, 564, 570, 579, 585, 597, 635, 663, 674, 676; and three hours of approved electives.

Licensed Professional Counselor. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, Texas Department of Health, issues the Licensed Professional Counselor License to individuals who have completed an approved program in counseling and the necessary work hours. Students desiring to complete the Licensed Professional Counselor License may complete either the forty-eight hour Master of Arts Plan III degree or the forty-eight hour Master of Arts Plan I degree. Courses include: CNE 510, 511, 512, 579, 585, 591, 592, 597, 632, 636, 663, 674, 676. Nine hours of electives from Counseling, Psychology or related fields, are also required.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family therapists, Texas Department of Health, issues the LMFT license to individuals who have completed an approved program in marriage and family therapy, and the necessary post-degree internship hours. Students desiring to complete the academic requirements for the LMFT license may complete either the forty-eight hour Master of Arts Plan III degree or the forty-eight hour Master of Arts Plan I degree. The major in counseling with a specialization in marriage and family therapy includes: CNE 564, 663, 585, 597, 534, 579, 674, 570, 632, 633, 634, 676, 636 (taken twice), 592, and PSY 534.

SUPPLEMENTAL CERTIFICATES

Bilingual. The following courses can be used as a minor field or electives on the degrees listed above and can lead to additional certification or an Endorsement in Bilingual Education: BSL 574, 575, 576, and 577. Additional requirements include the Texas Oral Proficiency Test—Spanish and the TExES in Bilingual Education. Contact the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations for details.

English as a Second Language. The following courses can be used as minor field or electives on the degrees listed above and can lead to additional certification or an Endorsement in English as a Second Language: BSL 565, 571, 574, 577. Additional requirements include the TExES in ESL. Contact the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations for details.