Acting Chair: Melinda Miller (936) 294-1122
Assistant Chair: Diana Nabors
Faculty: Paula Adams, Helen Berg , Leonard Breen, Dixie Carwile, Donna Cox, Hannah Gerber, Barbara Greybeck, Ivy Hsieh, Sharon Lynch, Joyce McCauley, Margaret McGuire, Barbara Metzger, Melinda Miller, Diana Nabors, Mary Petron, Debra Price, Jessica Rueter, Rhonda Richardson, Mary Robbins, Cindy Simpson, Phillip Swicegood, Nancy Votteler, Joan Williams
Academic Programs
Interdisciplinary 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 (TExES)
- Courses taught on-campus and, at the University Center and online
Suggested Minors
- Special Education can be designated as a minor for other degree programs
- SPD Minor requires SPD 231, SPD 331, SPD 338, SPD 377, SPD 378, SPD 390
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 Osburn 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
- Counihan Family Endowment
- TEACH Grants available for Bilingual Education and Special Education
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 Methods
All candidates for certification in grades EC-6 or 4-8, must participate in a one-semester Literacy Methods block, during the semester prior to the IDS Content Methods block. Application for placement in EC-6 or 4-8 Literacy Methods takes place one semester prior to anticipated enrollment in the Literacy Block. Each candidate’s eligibility for placement is evaluated by the Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations (LLSP). Eligibility at this transition point in the program is based on criteria which include full admission to the Educator Preparation Program, completion of all 100 and 200 level coursework and evidence of appropriate dispositions. Attention to prerequisites as shown in the course descriptions is essential to progress toward completion. Candidates in the EC6 program must take ESL 314 concurrently with Literacy Methods (RDG 370, RDG 380, RDG 390). EC-6 students must complete BSL 333 before Literacy Methods.
Admission to the Special Education Block
Candidates seeking special education certification must apply for the 6-hour Special Education Block (SPD 460/480). Application for placement in the Special Education Block takes place one semester prior to anticipated enrollment. Each candidate’s eligibility for placement is evaluated by the Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations (LLSP). This block of classes is usually taken the semester prior to IDS Content Methods. Prerequisites include SPD 231, SPD 331, and SPD 377. Students can take SPED Block with Literacy Methods or the semester after Literacy Methods.
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 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 (http://www.shsu.edu/~edu_ofe/student_teaching/. For candidates who seek certification in Special Education or Bilingual Education, specific student teaching courses and placements are required. Candidates registered for nine hours during the student teaching semester are considered by SHSU to be full-time students.