Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Elementary Education
Secondary Education

Administration
Supervision
Counseling

Bilingual Education
Early Childhood
Reading
Special Education

   Graduate programs in education can include various combinations of courses from these three departments. All such degrees are designed to accomplish the following basic purposes: to improve and extend the professional competence of early childhood, elementary, and secondary teachers, to prepare teachers for special positions in the schools, and to prepare students for doctoral work in university graduate programs.

   The degree plans listed below can lead to Professional Certification or Licensure in Texas. Certification candidates must apply for certification through the Certification Office, pass the appropriate ExCET tests, and attain the required years of teaching experience. For additional information about certification, contact the SHSU Certification Office. For licensure requirements see Master of Arts in Counseling (Plan II).

Master of Education in Elementary Education (Plan I). This degree plan is designed primarily for the elementary teacher. All such degrees originate in the office of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Students pursuing this plan should either hold elementary teacher certification or complete it prior to being awarded the degree. The degree plan requires the completion of a minimum of thirty-six hours of graduate credit, thirty hours of which must be in courses numbered 500 or above.

   The major consists of eighteen to twenty-four semester hours in Education which are approved in conference.

   The minor consists of twelve to eighteen semester hours in an approved subject in which the student has at least eighteen undergraduate hours. Exceptions to the prerequisite requirement for a minor include: Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Reading, Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, Gifted and Talented, Mid-Management Administration, Counseling, and Library Science, for which no prerequisite hours are necessary.

   A comprehensive examination covering course work in Education and the minor field must be taken and passed prior to graduation.

   In addition to the above, a specialized program in Early Childhood Education is available for the student who holds a Texas Provisional Elementary or Vocational Home Economics teaching certificate. The master's program in Early Childhood Education is an interdisciplinary plan with courses taken from a variety of subject fields. For more information, please contact the Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations.

Master of Education in Secondary Education (Plan II). This degree plan is designed primarily for the secondary teacher. All such degrees originate in the office of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and require the completion of a minimum of thirty-six hours of graduate credit, thirty of which must be in courses numbered 500 or above. (Eighteen hours in a single teaching field or twelve hours in dual teaching fields approved for secondary school teachers and for which the student has eighteen or more undergraduate hours and the University offers sufficient graduate course work are required.) Twelve to eighteen hours of professional education course work are required (twelve hours minimum for dual teaching fields/eighteen hours minimum for single teaching field.)

Master of Education in Administration (Plan III). This degree plan is designed specifically for the student who wishes to work toward a certificate in Mid-Management Administration. It requires the completion of a minimum of thirty-six hours of graduate credit. The program must comply with existing standards for professional certification. 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 Educational Leadership and Counseling.

Master of Education in Supervision (Plan III). This degree plan is designed specifically for the student who wishes to work toward a certificate in Professional Supervision or Professional Vocational Supervision. It requires the completion of a minimum of thirty-six hours of graduate credit. The program must comply with existing standards for professional certification. 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 Educational Leadership and Counseling.

Master of Education in Counseling (Plan III). This degree plan is designed specifically for the student who wishes to work toward certification in School Counseling. It requires the completion of a minimum of thirty-six hours of graduate credit. The program must comply with existing standards for professional certification. 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 Educational Leadership and Counseling.

Master of Arts in Counseling (Plan II). This degree plan is designed for students seeking licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Students completing this degree will have all of the academic requirements needed to apply for the temporary license as a Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. Nine graduate semester credit hours in addition to the thirty-six hour program are required to fulfill LPC requirements. 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 Educational Leadership and Counseling.

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (Plan III). This degree plan is designed for those holding a Texas Provisional Elementary 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 (Plan III). This degree plan is designed for those holding a Texas Provisional Elementary or Secondary teaching certificate. It can lead to certification as a Reading Specialist 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 Texas Provisional Elementary or Secondary teaching certificate. It can lead to either Generic Special Education 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 plan is designed for individuals who wish to write a thesis as part of the requirements for the degree. It is available to majors in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, Counselor Education, Administration, Supervision, Counseling, and Reading. A comprehensive examination will be taken upon the completion of or during the final semester of course work. The degree plan originates in the appropriate department. The course work for these degrees can also be applied to Texas Professional Certification.

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 with 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)

Professional Certificates: Since most professional certificates are earned as the result of completing a graduate degree program, very few deficiency plans are required for these certificates. A person who holds a master's degree and wants to add a professional certificate should contact the Certification Analyst.

   The professional teacher certificate programs approved for this university are for elementary classroom teachers and secondary classroom teachers.

Elementary Classroom Teacher. The program for the Professional Elementary Teacher Certificate includes the completion of 12 semester hours in a subject in which the applicant has at least 24 undergraduate semester hours; 6 semester hours in elementary school content subjects or resource area; 6 semester hours of Education selected from EED 584, EED 593, EED 597, ASE 660 and all other requirements for the master's degree.

Secondary Classroom Teacher. The program for the Professional Secondary Teacher Certificate includes the completion of 12 semester hours in a subject in which the applicant has at least 24 undergraduate semester hours or in Library Science which requires no prerequisite; 6 semester hours in a second teaching field or resource area; 6 semester hours selected from SED 536, SED 560, SED 593, SED 594, SED 597, ASE 660 and all other requirements for a master's degree.

   Since all professional certificates are based upon a master's degree and are intended to prepare one for professional positions in Texas public schools, it is required that the applicant for a professional certificate be the holder of the appropriate provisional certificate.

   The official application for a professional teaching certificate must be approved by the Teacher Certification Officer. Certificates are valid for life unless canceled by lawful authority. An applicant for a professional certificate must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete a program for a master's degree.
2. Complete the approved program for the professional certificate sought with a minimum of a "B" average in all course work in Education and the teaching field(s).
3. Complete three years of teaching experience.
4. Pay an application fee of $75.

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

   The candidate for a special certificate is required to have completed 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 637, SPD 677, SPD 678, SPD 679, CNE/PSY 595, ASE 660, RDG 532, RDG 588, 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 21-hour major in Reading including RDG 530, RDG 532, RDG 588, RDG 589, RDG 675, RDG 688 and a 3-hour elective. A 15-hour composite minor including SED/EED 593, SED/EED 597, EED/SED 670, BSL 571 and LS 560 or LS 561. Three years successful teaching experience is required.

School Administrator. The program for the Mid-Management Administrators Certificate requires the completion of a minimum of 45 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree and includes the following: ASE 532, 563, 572, 578, 579, 586, 662, 668, 671, 694; nine semester hours from ASE 510, 630, 660, 664, 695, 696; and six semester hours from SOC 565, 571 or 576; POL 561 or 585, SPD 535; PSY 597; CS 596 or 560; or CJ 660 or 577.

   The program for the Professional Certificate for School Superintendent requires the completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree and includes the following: completion of the 45 semester hours required for the Mid-Management Certificate plus ASE 630, 664, 673, 690, 695. Electives will be substituted for any required courses which were completed as part of the Mid-Management Certificate.

School Counselor. The Texas Education Agency issues one certificate, the Professional School Counselor Certificate, to individuals who have completed 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, 585, 635, 674, 676; ASE 597; SED/EED 597; CNE 663 or PSY 594; and three hours from ASE 660; CNE 587, 595, 599; PSY 530, 531, 534.

   Students desiring to work as vocational counselors should complete Plan III for the Master of Education degree with a 24-hour major in Education including CNE 533, 564, 585, 674, 676; SED/EED 597; CNE 663 or PSY 594; ASE 579 or VED 568; and 12-hour minor in Vocational Education including VED 562, 567, 575, and 585. Applicants must have approval of vocational or work experience background.

School Supervisor. Students desiring to work as elementary or secondary regular supervisors should complete Plan III for the Master of Education degree with a 24-hour major in Education including ASE 532, 578, 579, 586, 660, 668, 672, 694 and a 12-hour minor in a teaching field or a 12-hour composite minor with a minimum of six semester hours in a teaching field.

   Students desiring to work in vocational supervision must hold a master's degree including ASE 668; VED 568, 575, 580, 585, 588; and 12 hours from ASE 578, 586, 660, 672, 694; SED/EED 593; VED 565; plus three years teaching experience in a TEA approved public school vocational education program which prepares students for gainful employment.

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-five hour Master of Education Plan III degree or the forty-five hour Master of Arts Plan I degree. A major of twenty-seven to thirty-three hours includes: CNE 533, 564, 570, 585, 635, 636, 663, 674, 676. A minor of twelve to eighteen hours may be chosen from Education or Psychology courses.

Bilingual Endorsement. 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 TestSpanish and the ExCET in Bilingual Education. Contact the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations for details.

English as a Second Language Endorsement. 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 ExCET in ESL. Contact the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations for details.

Gifted and Talented Endorsement. The following courses in Special Education can be used s a minor field or electives on the degrees listed above and can lead to an Endorsement in that area: SPD 573, 632, 633 or 634, and 661. Contact the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations for details.