Sam Houston State University Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2008
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DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE, LITERACY, AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Academic Studies, English as a Second Language | Academic Studies, Bilingual

Course Descriptions

Chair: Mary Robbins (936) 294-3890;

Faculty: Paula Adams, Helen Berg , Leonard Breen, Linda Ellis, Betty Higgins, Sharon Lynch, Joyce McCauley, Margaret McGuire, Melinda Miller, Diana Nabors, Debra Price, Mary Robbins, Phillip Swicegood, Laverne Warner

Academic Programs

  • Academic Studies B.A., B.S.

Highlights

  • Close working relationship with faculty
  • Wide offering of field-based classes
  • Field experience in a variety of diverse settings
  • High pass rate on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (ExCET)
  • Individual program advisors assigned
  • Courses use Blackboard as online feature
  • Courses taught on-campus and at the University Center

Suggested Minors

  • Special Education can be designated as a minor for other degree programs
  • SPD Minor requires SPD 231, SPD 331, SPD 367, SPD 377, SPD 478, SPD 490

Career Opportunities

  • Bilingual Education and Special Education are both high-need areas
  • The state of Texas emphasizes the need for highly qualified teachers, with a specific need for reading teachers

Student Organizations

  • Best Buddies
  • Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)
  • Sam Houston Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Sam Houston Student Council for Exceptional Children
  • Sam Houston Association of Reading Educators

Scholarships

  • Jessie Lewis Scholarship for Reading
  • Bess Osborn Reading Scholarship
  • Alberto Sandoval Bilingual Education Scholarship
  • Frances Elmer Scholarship for Special Education
  • Laverne Warner Early Childhood Scholarship
  • Woman’s Club of Houston Early Education Scholarship

Internships

Internships in public schools are permitted only for candidates who already have a baccalaureate degree. Undergraduate teaching candidates participate in the student teaching block as the capstone of their professional program sequence.

Program Specific Requirements

Required Field Experiences

Candidates for any teaching certificate participate in field experiences in the public schools. Requirements for these activities vary by course and are coordinated by the Field Experience office.

Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

Students seeking initial Teacher Certification will apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program in their first Education class. Subsequent program specific requirements are explained below.

Admission to the Literacy Block

Candidates for certification EC-4, 4-8, EC-8, and EC-12 must participate in a one-semester 9 hour literacy block (RDG 370/RDG 390/RDG 431) the semester prior to the ACS methods block. Students must apply for placement in the literacy block through the Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations (LLSP). The LLSP Department determines the eligibility based on criteria which include admission to the Educator Preparation Program, course work completed, and dispositions. Students should consult their program area advisor to determine the process for application and admission.

Admission to the Special Education Block

Candidates seeking special education certification must apply for the 6-hour Special Education Block (SPD 460/480) through the Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations. This class is usually taken the semester prior the ACS methods block. Prerequisites include SPD 231, SPD 331, SPD 377, and SPD 367.

Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test

Candidates seeking certification in Bilingual Education must demonstrate Spanish language proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking on the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT).

Admission to Student Teaching

Student teaching is intended to be the culminating experience in a candidate’s preparation to become a teacher. Candidates should enroll in student teaching the final semester of their preparation program (contact edu_efo@shsu.edu for student teaching information). Candidates registered for nine hours during the student teaching semester are considered to be full-time students.

Course Descriptions: