Path I:

For a person seeking a bachelor's degree to become certified to teach in grades EC-4 or 4-8 (EC stands for early childhood.  In the public schools, this includes the prekindergarten and kindergarten programs)

Sam Houston State University is authorized to prepare and recommend individuals for the following Standard Elementary Certificates:

            Standard EC-4 Generalist Certificate
            Standard EC-4 Bilingual Generalist Certificate
            Standard EC-4 English as a Second Language Certification
            Standard 4-8 English Language Arts and Reading Certificate
            Standard 4-8 Mathematics Certificate
            Standard 4-8 Social Studies Certificate
            Standard 4-8 Science Certificate

To be recommended for one of these Elementary Standard Certificates, the undergraduate candidate should proceed through the following steps.

Step A: File for an Official Degree Plan

The degree for certification of a teacher in grades EC-4 or 4-8 is either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree or a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree.  The major is Interdisciplinary Academic Studies (ACS).  An individual may specialize in content fields such as reading, math, social studies or science or in areas such as bilingual education, ESL, early childhood education and special education.

A. Requirements for Filing an Official Degree Plan

1. Must have completed a minimum of 30semester hours with at least 6 semester hours completed in residence at Sam Houston State University.
2. Must satisfy educator preparation program criteria related to the demonstration of college level skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics.
3. Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater on all college work attempted (SHSU and transfer work combined).
4. Must have a 2.5 GPA or greater in specialization.
5. Must have no grade below a C in courses required for certification area.
6. Must have completed MTH 184 and MTH 185 with a grade of C or better in each.

B. Process

Step B:  Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

In order to register for education coursework, an individual must seek admission to the educator preparation program.  Similar to filing for an official degree plan, specific criteria is required for admission to candidacy to the educator preparation program.

Process:

1. Candidates submit the following to the Associate Dean, College of Education and Applied Science in TEC 213 in the Teacher Education Center Building:

1. Application form (available on shelves outside office 213 in the Teacher Education Center Building)
2. Transcript including all college work attempted
3. Copy of official degree plan
4. Form and fee for criminal history check (or documented results of criminal history check, (two year time limit)

2. Candidates must have "pending admission" status to enroll in required certification courses which include field experiences in PK-12 public schools.

Admission to Candidacy in the Educator Preparation Program

Step C:  Admission into the Literacy Block

The Literacy Block consisted of two reading courses (RDG 370 and RDG 390) which are taught together.  This Block should be taken the semester before the candidate plans to enroll in the Elementary Methods Block.

A. Requirements for Applying for the Literacy Block

The Elementary Methods Block consists of five classes (EED 434, EED 435, EED 436, EED 485, RDG 431) which are taught together.  This Block should be taken the semester before the student plans to enroll in the Student Teaching Program.

A. Requirements for Admission to Elementary Methods

B. Process for Admission

      Submit the following to the Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (Teacher Education Center Building, TEC 252):

Due Dates:  Submit application by the last Friday of February if you plan to be in elementary methods in the fall semester and by the last Friday of September if you plan to be in elementary methods in the spring.

Step E: Admission to the Student Teaching Program

Student Teaching is intended to be the culminating experience in a student’s preparation to become a teacher.  The candidate should enroll in Student Teaching the final semester of their preparation program.

A.  Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching Program

B. Process for Admission

      Submit the following to the Coordinator of Field Experiences (Teacher Education Center Building, TEC 242):

Due Dates:  Submit application by the second Friday of February if you plan to be in student teaching in the fall semester and by the second Friday of September if you plan to be in student teaching in the spring.

Step F: Successfully Complete Appropriate Certification Tests

In order to be recommended for certification, each student must demonstrate knowledge and skills in his/her content (what to teach) area and in pedagogy (how to teach).  These exams are mandated by state law.

A. Requirement to take a Certification Exam

      Must have successfully completed all proficiency tests in the Elementary Methods Classes (EED 434, 435, 436 and RDG 431) and the Legal Issues Class (EED 484).

B. Process for Application

      Candidates use the application provided by the testing company to register for the test.  It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of registration deadlines and to correctly complete the registration form.  The completed registration must be submitted to the Associate Dean, College of Education and Applied Science in office 213 in the Teacher Education Center.  The eligibility bar code will be placed on the registration form and the form will be mailed.

Step G: Have either the BA or the BS Degree Conferred

The semester before a student intends to graduate, a student should apply to receive their degree.  This application process is handled through the Registrar’s Office at Sam Houston State University.

Step H: Have the Appropriate Standard Certificate Granted by the State Board for Educator Certification

After the student has successful completed student teaching, graduated and passed the appropriate certification exams (ExCET, TOPT or TExES), the student applies for his/her certificate.  The student has to be recommended through the Sam Houston Center for Professional Development and Educational Partnerships to the State Board for Educator Certification.

A. Requirements for Certification

      1. Completion of all course work required for degree and certification with:

1. Overall GPA of 2.5 or greater
2. Must have a GPA of 2.5 and grade of C or better in professional education courses
3. Successful completion of student teaching requirements

      2. Pass the certification tests required by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

B. Process

      Submit the following to the Certification Analyst (Teacher Education Center Building, TEC 213):

Note:  Recommendations for certification are subject to Criminal Records check by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

Grade point averages for Admission, Retention, and Exit Requirements will be computed on exactly the same basis as designated under Scholastic Requirements in this catalogue.

In accordance with Article 6252-13c, Texas Civil Statutes, the State Board for Educator Certification may suspend or revoke a teaching certificate, or refuse to issue a teaching certificate for a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for a crime directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.  All potential certificate applicants with criminal felony or misdemeanor convictions should contact the Associate Dean, College of Education and Applied Science when applying for the educator preparation program to seek clarification of their certification status.

In addition to the requirements listed above, an applicant for a certificate must be a citizen or be in the process of becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States, and believe in and uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Texas.

CHANGES IN TEACHER CERTIFICATION

The specific type of standard certificate to be issued upon the completion of the undergraduate programs described in this catalogue will be those in effect at the time a student completes all the requirements for certification.  Information regarding changes in requirements will be available in the appropriate department when they are adopted.

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For more information on Sam Houston State University's paths to becoming a teacher, or if you have any questions, contact our Certification Analysts:

Initial Teacher Certification

Undergraduate: Pat Sprott
Post Baccalaureate: Molly Doughtie