| 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. (Academic program coordination) |
Judgment of Compliance
|
Narrative
For each major and/or program for which Sam Houston State University offers a degree, the respective dean assigns responsibility for coordination to the department chair, who serves at the pleasure of the dean [1]. In some departments, responsibility for coordination is further delegated to a program coordinator, graduate advisor, or a doctoral program director who assists the chair 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 is asked to serve as a temporary chair. However, in these cases, faculty with adequate qualifications, retain responsibility for the development and supervision of the curriculum.
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 Sam Houston State University, 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 departmental chairs and academic deans, with final approval resting with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Each undergraduate and graduate program at Sam Houston State University has a designated program coordinator who is academically qualified in the field. 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. In addition, each doctoral program has a designated doctoral program director, who reports to the departmental chair. The following persons are assigned responsibility for undergraduate program coordination and curriculum development and review in their respective departments. Vitae for the following individuals can be accessed by clicking on the respective names in the tables below. Each person is academically qualified in the field of responsibility.
Table 1. College of Arts and Sciences
| Department/Program | Chair | Program Coordinator (if different than Chair) |
| Agricultural Sciences | Dr. Stanley Kelley | |
| Agricultural Sciences: Industrial Technology Program | Dr. Doug Ulrich | |
| Art | Mr. Tony Shipp | |
| Biological Sciences | Dr. Matthew P. Rowe | |
| Chemistry | Dr. Rick Norman | |
| Computer Sciences | Dr. Peter Cooper | |
| Dance Program | Ms. Jennifer Pontius | |
| Geography | Dr. Chris Baldwin | |
| Geology | Dr. Brian Cooper | |
| Mathematics and Statistics | Dr. Ken Smith | |
| Mathematics Education | Dr. Max Coleman | |
| Statistics | Dr. Cecil Hallum | |
| Music | Dr. Mike Bankhead | |
| Physics | Dr. Rex Isham | |
| Theater | Ms. Penny Hasekoester |
Table 2. College of Business Administration
| Department/Program | Chair | Program Coordinator (if different than Chair) |
| Accounting | Dr. Phillip Morris | |
| Economic and International Business | Dr. Don Freeman | |
| General Business and Finance | Dr. Joe F. James | |
| Management and Marketing | Dr. Roger D. Abshire |
Table 3. College of Criminal Justice
| College | Dean | Program Coordinator (if different than Dean) |
| Criminal Justice | Dr. Vincent Webb | |
| Forensic Science Program | Dr. Sarah Kerrigan | |
| International Programs | Dr. Jurg Gerber | |
| Internship Program | Dr. James Barrum |
Table 4. College of Education
| Department/Program | Chair | Program Coordinator (if different than Chair) |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Dr. Charlene Crocker | |
| Educational Leadership and Counseling | Dr. Beverly Irby | |
| Health and Kinesiology | Dr. Alice Fisher | |
| Kinesiology | Dr. Brent Estes | |
| Health | Dr. Martha Bass | |
| Language, Literacy and Special Populations | Dr. Mary Robbins | |
| Library Science | Dr. Mary Berry |
Table 5. College of Humanities and Social Sciences
| Department/Program | Chair | Program Coordinator (if different than Chair) |
| Communication Studies | Dr. James D. Ragsdale | |
| English | Dr. Charles W. Bridges | |
| Foreign Languages | Dr. Debra Andrist | |
| Family and Consumer Sciences | Dr. Janis H. White | |
| History | Dr. Terry D. Bilhartz | |
| Mass Communication | Dr. Janet Bridges | |
| Political Science | Dr. John Holcomb | |
| Psychology and Philosophy | Dr. Donna M. Desforges | |
| Philosophy Program | Dr. Glenn Sanford | |
| Sociology | Dr. Alessandro Bonanno |
At the graduate level, the department chairs are responsible for the curriculum development and review. Although the chair may designate a qualified faculty member as an advisor for the graduate program, ultimate authority resides with the chair. At the doctoral level, a doctoral program director provides additional support for program coordination. Tables 6 through 10 list the faculty advisors for the various graduate programs. The advisors primary role is to oversee the admission process for prospective students and advise students in the program. Each person is academically qualified in the field of responsibility. Table 11 lists the doctoral program directors.
Table 6. College of Arts and Sciences
| Department/Program | Graduate Coordinator(s)/Advisor |
| Agriculture | Dr. Bobby Lane, Dr. Stanley Kelley, Dr. Doug Ulrich |
| Biology | Dr. Anne Gaillard |
| Chemistry | Dr. Thomas Chasteen |
| Computer Science | Dr. Jiahuang Ji |
| Dance | Dr. Cindy Gratz |
| Industrial Technology | Dr. Nedom Muns |
| Math (MA) | Dr. Max Coleman |
| Math (MS) | Dr. Jon Short |
| Music | Dr. Scott Plugge |
| Music Education | Dr. Scott Plugge |
| Statistics | Dr. Cecil Hallum |
Table 7. College of Business Administration
| Department/Program | Graduate Coordinator/Advisor |
| Business Administration (MBA) | Dr. Leroy Ashorn |
| Finance (MS) | Dr. Leroy Ashorn |
| Banking and Financial Institutions (EMBA) | Dr. James B. Bexley |
Table 8. College of Criminal Justice
| Department/Program | Graduate Coordinator/Advisor |
| Criminal Justice | Dr. Victoria Titterington |
| Forensic Science | Dr. Victoria Titterington |
| Victim Services Management | Dr. Victoria Titterington |
Table 9. College of Education
| Department/Program | Graduate Coordinator/Advisor |
| Administration | Dr. Shirley Johnson |
| Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language | Dr. Helen Berg |
| Counseling | Dr. Mary Nichter |
| School Counseling Cohorts | Dr. Judy Nelson |
| Counselor Education (Ph.D.) | Dr. Richard Watts |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Dr. Eren Johnson |
| Early Childhood Development | Dr. Diana Nabors |
| Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) | Dr. Stacey Edmondson |
| Educational Leadership (Higher Education/Community College Doct.) | Dr. Anthony Harris |
| Health Education | Dr. Martha Bass |
| Instructional Leadership | Dr. Barbara Polnick |
| Instructional Technology | Dr. Bobby Ezell |
| Kinesiology | Dr. Brent Estes |
| Library Science | Dr. Mary Berry |
| Reading | Dr. Joyce McCauley |
| Reading (Ed.D.) | Dr. Debra Price |
| Special Education (M.A.) | Dr. Sharon Lynch |
| Special Education (M.Ed.) | Dr. Cindy Simpson |
Table 10. College of Humanities and Social Sciences
| Department/Program | Graduate Coordinator/Advisor |
| Dietetics and Family and Consumer Services | Dr. Claudia Sealey-Potts |
| English | Dr. Paul Child |
| History (M.A) | Dr. Ken Hendrickson |
| Political Science | Dr. Corliss Lentz |
| Public Administration | Dr. Corliss Lentz |
| Psychology: Clinical (Ph.D.) | Dr. Mary Alice Conroy/ Dr. Marcus Boccaccini |
| Psychology: General and Clinical | Dr. A. Jerry Bruce |
| Psychology: School | Dr. Tom Wood |
| Sociology | Dr. Gene Theodori |
| Speech Communication | Dr. Frances Brandau-Brown |
Table 11. Doctoral Program Directors
| Doctoral Program | Director |
| Criminal Justice | Dr. Victoria Titterington |
| Clinical Psychology | Dr. Mary Alice Conroy |
| Counselor Education | Dr. Richard Watts |
| Educational Leadership | Dr. Stacy Edmondson |
| Reading | Dr. Debra Price |
Curriculum development and review, as well as coordination of major fields and concentrations, begin with departmental curriculum committees and coordinators (appointed by department chairs or elected by faculty), with program directors, or with faculty advisory committees. As described in comprehensive standards 2.7.2 and 3.4.10, the faculty and appropriate departmental chairs and coordinators are heavily involved in the development and review of curriculum. All curriculum development and review procedures at Sam Houston State University adhere to the appropriate regulations, rules, and codes of The Texas State University System [3] [4] and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board [5].
Supporting Documentation