Path IV: 

For a person who holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and wishes 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 provides programs to prepare and recommend individuals for the following Elementary Standard Certificates:

            Standard EC-4 Generalist Certificate
            Standard EC-4 Bilingual Generalist Certificate
            Standard EC-4 English as a Second Language
            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
            Standard EC-12 Special Education

To be recommended for one of these Elementary Standard Certificates the post baccalaureate student should proceed through the following steps.

Step A: Have a Certification Plan Prepared

The post baccalaureate (PB) student should contact the Certification Analyst at Sam Houston State University to have his/her transcript analyzed and a certification plan prepared.  The PB student should be prepared to specify which Standard certificate the PB student will be seeking.  Also, the PB student must submit original copies of transcripts from each institution the PB student has attended at the time the request for the certification plan is made.  The certification plan spells out for the PB student all the coursework that must be taken in order to be recommended for certification.  The certification plan takes the place of the degree plan.

For PB students, education courses (EED courses) may be taken at either the undergraduate or the graduate level.  On the certification plan, both the undergraduate coursework and the graduate coursework will be noted so the PB student can plan his/her schedule.

Step B: Be Admitted to the Educator Preparation Program

In order to register for education coursework, a PB student must seek admission to the educator preparation program.  There are specific criteria to become admitted to the educator preparation program.

Process:

1.  PB student submits the following to the Associate Dean, College of Education and Applied Science in office 213 in the Teacher Education Center.

1. Application form (available on shelves outside office 213 in the Teacher Education Center)
2. Copy of certification plan
3. Form and fee for criminal history check or documented results of criminal history check (Two year time limit).

2.  Candidate must have at least "Pending Admission" status to enroll in required certification courses with include field experiences in PK-12 public schools.

Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

If the PB student chooses to complete the education coursework listed on the certification plan through the undergraduate courses, the PB student would complete steps C,D,E,F, and H as described for Path I.

If the PB student chooses to complete the education coursework listed on the certification plan through the graduate courses, the PB student should see the Graduate Advisor for the Elementary Education Program to plan a schedule of classes and the internship experience.  The PB student would also complete steps F and H as described for Path I.

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