Path III: 

For a person seeking a bachelor’s degree to become certified to teach in grades 8-12.

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

Standard 8-12 English Language Arts and Reading
Standard 8-12 Family and Consumer Science
Standard 8-12 Speech
Standard 8-12 Journalism
Standard 8-12 Social Studies
Standard 8-12 History
Standard 8-12 Science
Standard 8-12 Physical Science
Standard 8-12 Life Science
Standard 8-12 Mathematics
Standard 8-12 Technology Applications
Standard 8-12 Computer Science
Secondary Art, Basic Business, Computer Information Science, Dance, French, German, Health Education, Industrial Technology, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, Theatre Arts, Vocational Agriculture:  Production, Vocational Home Economics

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

Step A:  File for an Official Degree Plan

The degree for certification as a teacher in grades 8-12 is either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree or a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree.  The major is the content area the person intends to teach.  For example, a person who intends to teach History would major in History.  The minor on the degree plan is Secondary Education.

A. Requirements for Filing an Official Degree Plan

1. Student becomes well established within the major, but not later than the beginning of the sophomore year.
2. At least 6 semester hours completed in residence at Sam Houston State University

B. Process

      An official degree plan must be established by the student seeking to become certified as a secondary school teacher through the major department, the minor department and the office of the academic dean of the major.

Step B:  Be Admitted to the Educator Preparation Program

In order to register for secondary education coursework, an individual must seek admission to the educator preparation program.  Similar to filing for an official degree plan, there are specific criteria to become admitted to the educator preparation program.

A. Process

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

1. Application form (available on shelves outside office 213 in the Teacher Education Center building)
2. Transcript which includes 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. Student must be at least "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:  Complete Prerequisites to Secondary Methods Block

Two courses, SED 374 Human Growth and Learning and SED 383 Measurement and Media Techniques, are prerequisites to the Secondary Methods Block.  The student must earn a C or better in these courses in order to be eligible for the Secondary Methods Block.

Step D:  Be Admitted to the Secondary Methods Block

The Secondary Methods Block consists of three classes (SED 464, 394 and RDG 392) 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 Secondary Methods

1. An undergraduate student must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program
2. Must have a cumulative (SHSU and transfer combined) GPA of 2.5 or greater.
3. Must have a 2.5 or greater in both the major and the minor
4. Must have completed SED 374 and SED 383 with a C or better in each course and GPA of 2.5 for both courses.
5. Must have no grade below a C in courses required for certification area.

B. Process for Admission

      Submit  the following to the Coordinator of Secondary Education (Teacher Education Center Building, TEC 252):

1. Application for secondary methods (on-line).
2. Copy of degree plan
3. Transcript which includes all college work attempted.
4. Acceptance letter from Educator Preparation Program.

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

Step E:  Be Admitted to the Student Teaching Program

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

A. Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching Program

1. Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater on all college work attempted, including a grade of C or better in ENG 164, ENG 165.
2. Must have completed SED 374, SED 383, RDG 392, SED 394, SED 464 with a 2.5 GPA or greater and with a grade of C or better in each course.
3. Must have completed at least 18 semester hours of teaching field with 2.5 GPA or greater.
4. Must have no grade below a C in courses required for certification area.
5. Must be eligible for graduation in student teaching semester if student teaching in fall semester.  Must be eligible for graduation by the following August if student teaching in the spring semester.

B. Process for Admission

      Submit the following to the Coordinator of Field Experience (Teacher Education Center Building, TEC 241):

1. Application for student teaching (on-line)
2. Current transcript which includes all college work attempted.

Due Dates:  Submit application by the second Friday in February for student teaching in the fall semester and by the second Friday in September for student teaching in the spring semester.

Step F: Successfully Complete Appropriate Certification Tests

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

A. Requirements to Take a Certification Exam

1. Must have permission of major advisor to take the Certification Exam in the content field.
2. Must have successfully completed the proficiency test for the pedagogy exam in the Responsibilities of the Professional Educator class (SED 480).

B. Process for Application

      Students 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 for Application

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

1. Application for Texas Teaching Certificate
2. Required fee in form of money order or cashier’s check made payable to: State Board for Educator Certification
3. Transcript which indicates the degree has been granted and all work required for certification has been completed.

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