COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

DEGREES - MINORS - GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - GRADING POLICIES - EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS - MATRICULATION - CONTINUATION -
OPTION TO GRADUATE WITHOUT STUDENT TEACHING
ELIGIBILITY TO TAKE TExES EXAMS- MINORS - PROGRAMS OF STUDY

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders (BS)
Bachelor of Science with a major in Kinesiology (non-certification) (BS)
Bachelor of Science with a major in Kinesiology with All-Level Certification (BS)
Bachelor of Science with a major in Special Education with EC-6 and All Level Certification (BS)
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Elementary Education with EC-6 Certification and a Bilingual Emphasis (BSIS)
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Elementary Education with EC-6 Certification and an Early Learning Emphasis (BSIS)
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Elementary Education with EC-6 Certification and an English as a Second Language Emphasis (BSIS)

UNDERGRADUATE CROSS-COLLEGE DEGREES
The following degree plans are listed under the College of Arts and Sciences.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (COE)
The mission of the College of Education at Texas A&M International University is to provide a comprehensive and coherent professional development system for educators which links all aspects of the education profession. Through educational experiences provided by the professional development system, educators will be prepared to provide learner-centered instructional experiences that will promote excellence and equity for all students. Faculty in the College of Education are committed to accomplishing this mission through: collaboration with colleagues across the university community and the public schools; the use of reflective teaching practices; research that enhances knowledge about teaching and learning; and service to the community of educators in the region.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES:
See Academic Regulations - Undergraduate for specific TAMIU regulations.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
In order to graduate from the College of Education, all teacher candidates must complete the program with:

• complete all coursework in the degree plan with a grade of "C" or better;
• be in good standing in the College of Education; 
• have all program/specialization/major "D's" and “F”s  retaken;
• have all incomplete grades converted to a “C” or better; and
• have all holds removed.
  

Important notice:  As the State Board for Educator Certification makes changes in the certification framework, degree plans may be subject to change. Any changes made by the state in interpreting the rulings on educator certification programs in Texas may supersede the requirements of the existing degree plan, certification or deficiency plan, with or without notice in this catalog.

GRADING POLICIES
The College of Education has adopted the following grading scale:

A	93-100
B	84-92
C	75-83
F	Below 75
S/CR/P	Satisfactory/credit/pass
U/NC	Unsatisfactory (no credit)
IP	In Progress
W	Dropped or withdrawn
I	Incomplete

EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS
The College of Education Educator Preparation Programs are rated by the State Board for Educator Certification. Accreditation status is based on accountability standards as established by the Texas Education Agency.

The most recent Title II accountability data is available at the following website: http://title2.ed.gov/View.asp. Additional information is available upon request from the Teacher Certification Office.

Teacher candidates may choose to work toward certification at the following levels: (1) Early Childhood through Grade 6, (2) Grades 7-12, Secondary; and (3) All-level. Certification programs are field-based and have co-tangent tasks which coincide with coursework

Each certification program is highly integrated with field-based experiences, requiring teacher candidates, cooperating teachers, public school administrators, and University faculty to work collaboratively at designated campuses. Teacher candidates enrolled in the program are assigned to mentor teachers at specified elementary or secondary public schools.  Field based experiences are on a continuum of early field experiences through full time teaching. Throughout the programs, teacher candidates observe, prepare teaching activities and lessons, and as a capstone experience are placed in an EC-12 environment for full time teaching (12 weeks minimum). Teacher candidates typically are in field-based placements, including student teaching, for approximately 600 hours.

MATRICULATION
Students interested in programs/majors/certifications must apply to the College of Education. Admission to the College is contingent upon meeting full admission requirements, which is a separate application process from the University’s admission procedures. Acceptance to the University does not ensure acceptance into the College of Education. Students who are fully admitted to the College of Education will be eligible to enroll in 3000-4000 level education courses in their major. Full admission requirements are:
        l.      Application: Submit an application form (available at KL 426) and a $15.00 non-refundable fee for admission to the College of Education.
        2.     Courses: Complete all core curriculum coursework with a grade of “C” or better.
        3.     University Seminar: Complete two University Seminar courses (UNIV 1101 and 1102) linked to education courses. Students who transfer in with 30 or more credit hours are exempt from the UNIV requirement.
        4.     Assessment of Basic Skills: Complete one of the following basic skills tests and pass with a minimal score as noted below:        

THEA		Reading	240		Math		250		Writing	240
COMPASS		Reading	86		Algebra		45		Writing Skills	59		Written Essay	6
SAT		Verbal	500		Math		500		Composite	1070
ACT		Reading	19		Math		19		Composite	23
Accuplacer		Reading	80		Math		66		Writing Skills	80		Written Essay	6

                Test scores obtained more than five years before applying for admission to the college will not be accepted.
        5.     Demonstrate Oral Proficiency in the English language.
        6.     Demonstrate Written Proficiency in the English language.
        7.     TAMIU GPA: Have a TAMIU GPA of 2.75. Students desiring entry into Communication Disorders undergraduate or certificate programs must have a TAMIU GPA or an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
        8.     Foreign Language Requirement: Meet the University’s Foreign Language graduation requirement. This may be demonstrated by:
                        a.     completion of three years of high school study of a single foreign language with a minimum grade of 80 (3.0) at the end of the third year,
                                or
                        b.     earning a minimum grade of "C" in 6 SCH in one foreign language,
                                or
                        c.     CLEP or AP exam scores that award 6 SCH in one foreign language,
                                or
                        d.     completion of two foreign language courses in one language with a "C" or better from the University's International Language Institute,
                                or
                        E.    completion of two American Sign Language courses with a "C" or better.
        9..    The TOEFL IBT is required of all students having academic studies from a country where English is not the native language. A minimum TOEFL IBT score of 26 in each of the four areas (reading, listening, speaking and writing) is required for admission to the College of Education.

Spanish Language Requirements for the Bilingual Specialization

Once admitted to the College of Education, candidates wishing to complete the Bilingual specialization will need to
complete all Spanish requirements as a prerequisite to enrolling in the following courses:

• EDBE 3334 Teaching Content Areas in Dual Language Environments (taught in Spanish)
• EDBE 3335 Language Arts Principles in Bilingual Settings (taught in Spanish)
• EDBE 4310 History of Bilingual Education

The Spanish language requirements for the Bilingual specialization include taking the ACT-FL Spanish proficiency exam and obtaining a proficiency level of Advanced-High. If this level is obtained, candidates may then enroll in SPAN 3310 and SPAN 4311. (The prerequisite/co-requisite for SPAN 3310, which are SPAN 3300 and SPAN 3305, will be waived for those candidates who demonstrated the Advanced-High level of proficiency on the ACT-FL.)

Should the ACT-FL proficiency level be less than Advanced-High, candidates will need to complete additional Spanish coursework with corresponding prerequisites/co-requisites, outside of the degree requirements. These additional courses are:

• SPAN 2313 and SPAN 2315 or SPAN 2630

        and

• SPAN 3300

        and

• SPAN 3305

                After successfully completing these courses, candidates will need to then also successfully complete SPAN 3310 and SPAN 4311, before taking EDBE 3334, 3335, and 4310.

                Candidates desiring the Bilingual specialization should consider taking the ACT-FL as soon as possible to determine the pathway needed to complete the Spanish requirements in a timely manner.

In order to register for 3000-4000 College of Education courses, students must maintain a 2.75 TAMIU GPA, a 2.75 semester GPA and a 2.7 GPA in the specialization/major. Students in the Communication Disorders program must maintain a 3.0 TAMIU GPA.

Teacher candidates must earn a “C” or better in all education courses. Any teacher candidate earning less than a “C” in a prerequisite course must repeat the failed course before enrolling in subsequent courses.

A teacher candidate may enroll in the same undergraduate course a maximum of three (3) times in order to obtain a “C” or better. After the third unsuccessful attempt to earn a “C” or better in a course, the teacher candidate must change program/major. When teacher candidates change their program/major, all current program/major admission requirements must be met.

To be eligible to enroll in EDCI 4993 Student Teaching, teacher candidates must fulfill the following:
•      have a TAMIU GPA of 2.75 and a TAMIU GPA of 2.75 in the specialization/major;
•      complete all degree plan courses with a grade of "C" or better;
•      pass the content/specialization/major TExES Certification Exams; and
•      submit an application for Student Teaching in the office of the Director.

Teacher candidates who are unable to meet admission requirements for EDCI 4693 Student Teaching may either pursue another degree program outside the College of Education in order to complete a bachelor’s degree or complete the non-student teaching option.

CONTINUATION OF UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT FOR STUDENTS ADMITTED TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

STANDARDS OF PROGRESS
All teacher candidates must maintain an TAMIU GPA of 2.75 or higher (3.0 for Communication Disorders majors) to remain in good standing and to graduate. Any teacher candidate who receives less than a 2.75 GPA (3.0 for Communication Disorders) is subject to academic probation.

OVERLOADS
Overloads will only be approved for TAMIU GPAs of 3.0 or higher and approval of the department chair and dean.

ACADEMIC PROBATION
Once fully admitted to the College of Education, a teacher candidate remains in good academic standing if the TAMIU and the program/major GPA is 2.75 or above (3.0 or above for Communication Disorders majors). A teacher candidate is on academic probation if the TAMIU GPA falls below 2.75 (3.0 for Communication Disorders majors). Notification of academic probation is through the Dean’s Office. Teacher candidates on probation may be required to register for a limited course load.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
A teacher candidate who is on probation and continues to receive less than a TAMIU GPA of 2.75 (3.0 for Communication Disorders majors) in a subsequent semester will be suspended by the College of Education. A teacher candidate who has been suspended for academic reasons may not petition the College of Education for readmission until one long semester has elapsed. Summer sessions are considered short terms and thus must not be supplanted for a long term. A teacher candidate suspended for any reason will be subject to those criteria and guidelines specified in the University Catalog and required by the major, College of Education, and/or Texas Education Agency in effect at the time of readmission. Enrollment waivers for teacher candidates on suspension will not be granted. When a teacher candidate returns from suspension, the teacher candidate must enroll in and repeat those courses in which the teacher candidate earned a less than satisfactory grade, before subsequent or new courses are taken.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNICATION DISORDERS MAJORS
To be eligible to graduate from the Communication Disorders program, candidates must fulfill the following:

• Maintain a minimum TAMIU GPA of 3.00.
• Obtain a degree audit upon completion.
• Pass the Exit Exam with a score of 80% or above to receive observation or clinical practicum hour verification for professional certification.

Remediation plan for the Exit Exam:

• 1st re-take: Candidate will be given opportunity to re-take the exam within 3 months. The passing score is 80% or above.
• 2nd re-take: Examination for the second trial will be based on 11 essential topics within Communication Sciences and Disorders. The passing score required is 80%.
• 3rd re-take: The passing score requirement is 80%.
• 4th re-take is the final opportunity to take the exam. The passing score requirement is 100%.

All Exit Examinations are administrated at the University Testing Center. Registration is required prior to taking the exam.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
For state approved programs leading to certification, as the state implements new requirements for certification, they will become compulsory at the time required with or without notice in this catalog. Students in these programs/majors have sole responsibility to comply with requirements for certification and to keep current with changes in certification requirements.

Students enrolled in certification programs will need to obtain a fingerprint clearance and may be subject to a criminal background check.

Before teacher candidates may be recommended for taking the state certification exams, they must take and demonstrate successful diagnostic readiness on a practice exam in the area of certification sought.

Option to Graduate Without Completing the Student Teaching Semester
COED candidates in their culminating semester may supplant/substitute 12 credits from a pool of specified courses in lieu of completing their student teaching requirement for certification. By doing so candidates electing this route may graduate in the degree program and will not be recommended for certification. Candidates choosing this route must:

• be in the culminating semester of their degree program;
• be in good standing in the College of Education by having a TAMIU 2.75 GPA or higher and a 2.75 or higher GPA in the major;
• complete all degree plan courses with a grade of “C” or better (including coursework completed in the Core Curriculum and all courses that are approved as substitutions for courses required on the degree plan);
• complete all program requirements except student teaching plus one course remaining;
• register for EDCI 4399, Issues in Curriculum and Instruction;
• register for nine (9) additional credit hours from a selected pool of courses approved by the College for this culminating term;
• forfeit eligibility to obtain approval by the College of Education to sit for any TExES exams as an undergraduate program finisher; and
• sign a statement of agreement.

Post-graduation certification may be attained through either a post-baccalaureate or Alternative Certification Program of the student’s choice.

Eligibility to Take TExES Exams
Approval to take TExES Exams is based on the procedure and criteria listed below. These procedures and criteria apply to all candidates pursuing degrees with teacher certification, regardless of their catalog year.

Obtaining Teacher Certification
Teacher Certification is obtained after the candidate has completed the certification program he/she has been enrolled in and has passed the appropriate TExES exams. To obtain Texas Teacher Certification, candidates must complete an on-line Application for Certification and submit it to the State Board for Educator Certification. Information for the application process is available in the Teacher Certification Office.

The Certification Officer will review the candidate's application to ensure that all program requirements have been successfully completed. The application will be forwarded by the Certification Officer to the State Board of Educator Certification. ALL HOLDS MUST BE CLEARED BEFORE THE CERTIFICATION CAN BE FORWARDED TO THE STATE BOARD. The Teacher Certificate will be issued by the State Board of Educator Certification.

All certificates issued by the State are Five (5) -Year Renewable certificates. The individual holding the certificate must submit documentation to the State every five (5)years showing that he/she has completed the required clock hours of professional development activities relating to his/her area of certification.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE/BACHELOR OF INTERDSICIPLINARY STUDIES
Degree Requirements for the BS in Communication Disorders:
1.   Hours Required: A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, with fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation” section of this catalog.
2.   University Core Curriculum: 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation”.
3.  Math Elective: 3 SCH designated as MATH 1342.
4.  Life & Physical Science Lab: 1 SCH, designated as CHEM 1170.
5.   Support Area: 19 SCH: ENGL 3347 or PSYC 4309; KINE 1152, KINE 2225, KINE 2316, PSYC 2117, PSYC 2317, PSYC 2301, PSYC 4305.
6.   Field of Study: 12 SCH including: EDEL 3362, EDSE 3305, EDSE 3315, EDSE 4330.
7.   Specialization: 43 SCH including: CSDO 3122, 3126, 3305, 3313, 3321, 3325, 4226, 4300, 4320, 4321, 4330, 4331, 4333, 4335, 4336, 4337.

Degree Requirements for the BS in Kinesiology Non Certification

1. Hours Required: A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, with fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog.
2. University Core Curriculum: 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the Requirements for Graduation. Life & Physical Science requirements in the core must include BIOL 1171/1371 or BIOL 2101/2301.
   
3. Math Elective: 3 SCH selected from any math course above the level of College Algebra.
4. Life & Physical Science Lab: 1 SCH compatible with Life & Physical Science course.
   
5. Major: 41 SCH including: KINE 1101, 1104, 1111, 2225, 2300, 2301 2303, 2310, 2316, 3300, 3301, 4300, 4301, 4305, 4307 and 3 SCH KINE at the 3000-4000 level.
   
6. Minor: A minimum of 18 SCH from one discipline at least twelve of which must be at the 3000-4000 level.
   
7. Support Area/Electives: 15 SCH at least twelve of which must be at the 3000-4000 level.
   Note: Students in the non-certification kinesiology program who wish to change to the certification program must meet the requirements for admission to the College of Education and may need to repeat coursework to meet admission criteria.

Degree Requirements for the BS in Kinesiology with All Level Certification Program:
1.   Hours Required: A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, with fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation” section of this catalog.
2.   University Core Curriculum: 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation”. Life & Physical Science requirements in the core must include BIOL 1171/1371 or BIOL 2101/2301.
3.   Math Elective:  3 SCH selected from any math course above the level of College Algebra.
4.   Life & Physical Science Lab: 1 SCH compatible with Life & Physical Science course.
5.   Major: 45 SCH including: KINE 1101, 1104, 1111, 1152, 2225, 2300, 2301 2303, 2316, 3300, 3301, 3303, 3305, 3310, 4300, 4301, 4305, and 4307.
6.   Professional Education Core: 26 SCH including: EDCI 1102, EDCI 2210, EDCI 3224, EDCI 3301, EDCI 3302, EDCI 3315, EDCI 4310, EDCI 4693 and EDSE 4350.
7.   Support Area: 3 SCH selected from EDRD 3309 or EDRD 3320.

Requirements for the BS with a major in Special Education with EC-6 and All Level Certification Program:
1.   Hours Required: A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, with fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation” section of this catalog.
2.   University Core Curriculum: 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation”.
3.   Life & Physical Science Lab: 1 SCH designated as PHYS 1170.
4.   Combination of Subjects: 10 SCH including EPSC 1170/1370, MATH 1350 and MATH 1351.
5.   Major: 20 SCH including: EDSE 3210, EDSE 3305, EDSE 3310, EDSE 3315, EDSE 3320, EDSE 4330 and EDSE 4360.
6.   Field of Study: 12 SCH including: EDEL 3362, EDEL 3374, EDEL 3384 and EDEL 3394.
7.   Support Area: 9 SCH including EDRD 3303, EDRD 3309 and EDRD 4311.
8.   Professional Education Core: 26 SCH including: EDCI 1102, EDCI 2210, EDCI 3224, EDCI 3301, EDCI 3302, EDCI 3315, EDCI 4310, EDCI 4693 and EDSE 4350.

Requirements for the BSIS with a major in Elementary Education with EC-6 Certification and a Bilingual Emphasis Program:
1.   Hours Required: A minimum of 126 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, with fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation” section of this catalog.
2.   University Core Curriculum: 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation”.
3.   Life & Physical Science Lab: 1 SCH designated as PHYS 1170.
4.   Combination of Subjects: 10 SCH including EPSC 1170/1370, MATH 1350 and MATH 1351.
5.   Major: 26 SCH including: ARTS 3100, EDBE 3325, EDBE 3334, EDBE 3335, EDBE 4310, ENGL 3324, KINE 3207, MUSI 3100, SPAN 3310 and SPAN 4311, THAR 3100.
6.   Field of Study: 12 SCH including: EDEL 3362, EDEL 3374, EDEL 3384 and EDEL 3394.
7.   Support Area: 9 SCH including EDRD 3303, EDRD 3309 and EDRD 4311.
8.   Professional Education Core: 26 SCH including: EDCI 1102, EDCI 2210, EDCI 3224, EDCI 3301, EDCI 3302, EDCI 3315, EDCI 4310, EDCI 4693 and EDSE 4350.

Requirements for the BSIS with a major in Elementary Education with EC-6 Certification and an Early Learning Emphasis Program:
1.   Hours Required: A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, with fulfillment of  degree requirements as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation” section of this catalog.
2.   University Core Curriculum: 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation”.     
3.  Life & Physical Science Lab: 1 SCH designated as PHYS 1170.
4.  Combination of Subjects: 10 SCH including EPSC 1170/1370, MATH 1350 and MATH 1351.
5.  Major: 20 SCH including: ARTS 3100, KINE 3207, EDSE 3310, EDYC 3350, EDYC 3366, EDYC 4325,  ENGL 3324, MUSI 3100, and THAR 3100.
6.   Field of Study: 12 SCH including: EDEL 3362, EDEL 3374, EDEL 3384 and EDEL 3394.
7.   Support Area: 9 SCH including EDRD 3303, EDRD 3309 and EDRD 4311.
8.   Professional Education Core: 26 SCH including: EDCI 1102, EDCI 2210, EDCI 3224, EDCI 3301, EDCI 3302, EDCI 3315, EDCI 4310, EDCI 4693 and EDSE 4350.

Requirements for the BSIS with a major in Elementary Education with EC-6 Certification and an English as a Second Language Emphasis Program:
1.  Hours Required: A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, with fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation” section of this catalog.
2.   University Core Curriculum: 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the “Requirements for Graduation”.     
3.  Life & Physical Science Lab: 1 SCH designated as PHYS 1170.
4.  Combination of Subjects: 10 SCH including EPSC 1170/1370, MATH 1350 and MATH 1351.
5.  Major: 20 SCH including: ARTS 3100, KINE 3207, EDSE 3310, EDSL 3325, EDSL 4325, ENGL 3324, ENGL 3347,  
      MUSI 3100, and THAR 3100.
6.   Field of Study: 12 SCH including: EDEL 3362, EDEL 3374, EDEL 3384 and EDEL 3394.
7.   Support Area: 9 SCH including EDRD 3303, EDRD 3309 and EDRD 4311.
8.   Professional Education Core: 26 SCH including: EDCI 1102, EDCI 2210, EDCI 3224, EDCI 3301, EDCI 3302, EDCI 3315, EDCI 4310, EDCI 4693 and EDSE 4350.

 

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