For each major in a degree program, the institution assigns responsibility for program coordination, as well as for curriculum development and review, to persons academically qualified in the field. In those degree programs for which the institution does not identify a major, this requirement applies to a curricular area or concentration. |
Judgment of Compliance
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Narrative
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) assigns responsibility for program coordination, as well as curriculum development and review, to persons academically qualified in the respective fields. For each major and/or program for which SHSU offers a degree, the respective dean assigns responsibility for coordination to the department chair, who is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the academic dean [1]. Responsibility may be further delegated to a program coordinator, graduate advisor, or a doctoral program director who assists the chair and/or dean in directing the respective program. In all cases, an academically qualified faculty member is assigned this responsibility. In exceptional cases, a faculty member from outside an academic discipline may be asked to serve as a temporary chair. However, in these rare cases, departmental faculty with adequate qualifications retain responsibility for the development and supervision of the curriculum.
SHSU considers individuals academically qualified if they possess: (a) the terminal degree in the field or a closely related field or (b) a combination of academic and professional experience sufficient to establish expertise within the field. The document entitled “Minimum Terminal Degrees Recognized by SHSU” lists the minimum degree recognized as terminal for each degree program [2]. For the vast majority of degree programs offered at SHSU, the earned doctorate is recognized as the terminal degree. However, the MFA in Dance, Theater, Studio Art, Photography, and Interior Design; the MM in Music; and the MLS in Library Science are also considered to be terminal degrees in those listed areas. The list is periodically reviewed and updated based on recommendations from the department chairs and academic deans, with final approval resting with the Provost.
As demonstrated in the following tables, each undergraduate and graduate program at SHSU has an academically qualified individual responsible for program coordination. At both the undergraduate and graduate level, the department chair assumes these responsibilities, but in complex departments with many specialized programs, program coordinators may be designated to assist the chair. Examples of job responsibilities listed in recent department chair job postings have been provided [3], [4], [5]. In addition, each doctoral program may designate a program director, who reports to the department chair.
Responsibility for program coordination is assigned to qualified individuals who assume responsibility for programs across all modalities (e.g., face-to-face and online). To support the department chair or program coordinators in ensuring that faculty teaching online courses have the appropriate training, the university created the Distance Education and Learning Technologies for Academics (DELTA) Center. The DELTA Center provides training and technical support to faculty to facilitate their ability to deliver curricular content. As part of its mission, the DELTA Center offers high quality course development services for faculty, year-round technical support, and professional development opportunities.
The individuals listed in the tables below are assigned responsibility for program coordination, as well as for curriculum development and review, in their respective departments (see Tables 1 – 7). Vitae can be accessed by clicking on the respective names in the tables.
Table 1. Degree Program Coordinators in the College of Business Administration
Department and Major |
Department Chair |
Program Coordinator or Lead Faculty Member (If Different Than Chair) |
Degrees, Majors, and Additional Qualifications Rationale |
Business Administration, MBA |
|
BS Hotel/Restaurant Management Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Department of General Business and Finance |
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BBA Accounting Qualification Rationale: PHD Emphasis in International Business, Finance, and Banking |
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General Business, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Entrepreneurship, BBA |
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BA Mathematics/Economics Qualification Rationale: Academic and professional experience, see vita |
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Finance, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Banking and Financial Institutions, BBA |
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LLB Law Qualification Rationale: Significant professional experience, see vita |
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Business Administration-Banking and Financial Institutions, MBA |
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LLB Law Qualification Rationale: Significant professional experience, see vita |
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Department of Accounting |
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BBA Management Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Accounting, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Accounting, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Department of Economics and International Business |
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BSB Accounting Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Economics, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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International Business, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Management and Marketing |
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BS Electrical Engineering Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Management, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Human Resource Management, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Management Information Systems, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Marketing, BBA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Project Management, MS |
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BBA General Business Qualification Rationale: PHD specialization in Information Systems and Production Operations Management |
Table 2. Degree Program Coordinators in the College of Criminal Justice
Department and Major |
Department Chair |
Program Coordinator or Lead Faculty Member (If Different Than Chair) |
Degrees & Majors |
Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology |
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BA Psychology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Criminal Justice, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Victim Studies, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Criminal Justice Leadership and Management, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Criminal Justice and Criminology, MA |
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BS Biology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Criminal Justice, MS, PHD |
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BS Biology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Victim Services Management, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Forensic Science |
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BSC Chemistry Qualification Rationale: Significant professional experience, see vita |
|
Forensic Science, MS, PHD |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Security Studies |
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BA Government Qualification Rationale: Criminal Justice and Security Studies is commonly a subset of the Sociology discipline. Dr. Gerber has an extensive research agenda with publications in Criminal Justice journals, see vita |
|
Homeland Security Studies, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Table 3. Degree Program Coordinators in the College of Education
Department and Major |
Department Chair |
Program Coordinator or Lead Faculty Member (If Different Than Chair) |
Degrees, Majors, and Additional Qualifications Rationale |
Department of Curriculum and Instruction |
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BSED Elementary Education Qualification Rationale: Combination of academic degrees and research and certification, see vita |
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Interdisciplinary Studies, BA, BS |
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BSED Mathematics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Curriculum and Instruction, MA, MED |
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BS Interdisciplinary Studies - Reading Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Instructional Technology, MED |
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BBA Accounting Qualification Rationale: Extensive research agenda in discipline, see vita |
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Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling |
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BSED Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Administration, MA, MED |
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BS Interdisciplinary Studies Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Educational Leadership, EDD |
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BS Curriculum/Instruction Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Instructional Leadership, MA, MED |
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BSED Elementary Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Higher Education Administration, MA |
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BS Psychology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Counselor Education, PHD |
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BMED Music Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Counselor Education, MA 1 |
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BS Elementary Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Counseling, MED 1 |
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BS Elementary Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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School Counseling, MED |
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BS Elementary Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Developmental Education Administration, EDD |
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BSBA Marketing/Management Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA |
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BS Elementary Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations |
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BA Psychology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Special Education, MED |
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BA Academic Studies Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Special Education, MA |
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BA Psychology Qualification Rationale: Extensive research agenda in discipline, see vita |
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Reading, MA |
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BS Interdisciplinary Studies Qualification Rationale: Focus of coursework in EDD in Curriculum and Instruction was Reading/Literacy |
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Reading/Language Arts, MED |
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BSED Secondary Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Literacy, EDD |
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BS Interdisciplinary Studies Qualification Rationale: Focus of coursework in EDD in Curriculum and Instruction was Reading/Literacy |
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International Literacy, MED |
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BSED Spanish and Latin American Studies Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Department of Library Science |
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BSED Elementary Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Library Science, MLS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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1 Program being phased out.
Table 4. Degree Program Coordinators in the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication
Department and Major |
Department Chair |
Program Coordinator or Lead Faculty Member (If Different Than Chair) |
Degrees, Majors, and Additional Qualifications Rationale |
Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre |
|
BA Drama Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Theatre, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Musical Theatre, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Art |
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BFA Art Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Computer Animation, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Art-Advertising and Graphic Design, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Photography, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Art-Photography, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Art, BA, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Art-Studio Art, BA, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Department of Dance |
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BA English Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Dance, BA, BFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Dance, MFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Mass Communication |
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BA Philosophy Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Mass Communication, BA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Digital Media, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
School of Music |
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BM Saxophone Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Music, BA, BM |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Music Therapy, BM |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Music Therapy-Correctional, BM |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Music, MM |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Band Conducting, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Table 5. Degree Program Coordinators in the College of Health Sciences
Department and Major |
Department Chair |
Program Coordinator or Lead Faculty Member (If Different Than Chair) |
Degrees, Majors, and Additional Qualifications Rationale |
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences |
|
BA Home Economics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Interior Design, BA, BS |
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BS Home Economics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Family and Consumer Sciences, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Food Science and Nutrition, BS |
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BS Dietetics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Food Service Management, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Fashion Merchandising, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Health Services and Promotion |
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MD General Practice MHA, Health Systems Management PHD Health Systems Management Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Health Sciences, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Bilingual Health Care Studies, BA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Wellness Management, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Health Care Administration, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Public Health, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Health, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Kinesiology |
|
BS Kinesiology MED Physical Education-Sport and Fitness Administration PHD Kinesiology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Kinesiology, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Athletic Training, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Kinesiology, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
School of Nursing |
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BSN Nursing Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Nursing, BSN |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Table 6. Degree Program Coordinators in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department and Major |
Department Chair |
Program Coordinator or Lead Faculty Member (If Different Than Chair) |
Degrees, Majors, and Additional Qualifications Rationale |
Department of Communication Studies |
|
BA Speech and Dramatic Arts Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Communication Studies, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Communication Studies, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of English |
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BA Foreign Language Teaching Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
English, BA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
English, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Creative Writing, Publishing, and Editing, MFA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Foreign Languages* |
|
BA History Qualification Rationale: *Due to a vacant chair's position within the Department of Foreign Languages, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is currently conducting a search for the chair's position. In the interim, the college's two associate deans have assumed the primary responsibilities of the chair (i.e., scheduling, budget management, faculty evaluation). With respect to curriculum matters, the departmental curriculum committee (comprised of academically qualified faculty from within the department) has the responsibility for curriculum review, development, and assessment. |
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BA History Qualification Rationale: *Due to a vacant chair's position within the Department of Foreign Languages, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is currently conducting a search for the chair's position. In the interim, the college's two associate deans have assumed the primary responsibilities of the chair (i.e., scheduling, budget management, faculty evaluation). With respect to curriculum matters, the departmental curriculum committee (comprised of academically qualified faculty from within the department) has the responsibility for curriculum review, development, and assessment. |
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Spanish, BA |
See Dept. Chairs* Above |
|
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Spanish, MA |
See Dept. Chairs* Above |
|
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Department of History |
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AB History Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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History, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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History, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Political Science |
|
BA Political Science Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Political Science, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Public Administration, MPA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Political Science, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
|
Department of Psychology and Philosophy |
BA Psychology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
||
Philosophy, BA |
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AB Philosophy Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Psychology, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Psychology, MA |
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BA Psychology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Clinical Psychology, PHD |
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BA Economics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Psychology-Clinical Psychology, MA |
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BA Psychology The University of Texas At San Antonio (1994)
Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
School Psychology, SSP |
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BA Psychology Qualification Rationale: Research agenda, field experience, practica, and internship related to school psychological practice, see vita |
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Department of Sociology |
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BA Sociology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Sociology, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Sociology, MA |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Table 7. Degree Program Coordinators in the College of Sciences
Department and Major |
Department Chair |
Program Coordinator or Lead Faculty Member (If Different Than Chair) |
Degrees, Majors, and Additional Qualifications Rationale |
General Studies, BGS |
|
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The major consists of three minors. As the minors are housed within the appropriate departments, this degree is administered by the Department Chair or Program Coordinator of the respective minor. |
Composite Science, BS |
|
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This major can be either a biology or chemistry focus, both of which are administered by the Department Chair within those departments. |
Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology |
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BS Animal Science Qualification Rationale: Animal Science is a study of the role of animals in the agriculture sector. Animal Science programs prepare individuals in the general agriculture curriculum. |
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Interdisciplinary Agriculture, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Agricultural Business, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Agricultural Engineering Technology, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Agricultural Communication, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Animal Science, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Plant and Soil Science, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Engineering Technology, BS |
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BS Agricultural Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Construction Management, BS |
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BS Agricultural Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology, BS |
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BS Agricultural Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Design and Development, BS |
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BS Agricultural Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Applied Arts and Sciences, BAAS |
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BS Agricultural Education Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Agriculture, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Department of Biology Sciences |
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BS Biology Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Biology, BA, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Biomedical Sciences, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Biology, MA, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Department of Chemistry |
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BS Chemistry Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Chemistry, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Forensic Chemistry, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Chemistry, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Department of Computer Science |
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BS Social Science/Education Qualification Rationale: Research and academic degrees and minors, see vita |
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Computing Science, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Computer Software Engineering Technology, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Computing and Information Science, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Digital Forensics, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Information Assurance and Security, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Department of Geography and Geology |
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BA Geology and Mathematics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Geology, BS |
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BA Geography Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Geography, BA, BS |
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BA Geography Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
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Geographic Information Systems, MS |
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BE Civil Engineering Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Department of Mathematics and Statistics |
|
BS Mathematics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Mathematics, BA, BS |
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BS Mathematics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Mathematics, MA, MS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
|
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Statistics, MS |
|
BS Mathematics Qualification Rationale: PHD concentration in statistics |
|
Department of Physics |
|
BA Physics Qualification Rationale: Terminal degree in discipline |
|
Physics, BS |
See Dept. Chair Above |
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Supporting Documentation