2016-2017 University Catalog

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
GRADUATE DEGREES

Master of Arts in Teaching (MA)
Master of Science in Bilingual Education (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Master of Science in Education Interventions for Autism (MS) (Thesis)*
Master of Science in Educational Administration (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Master of Science in School Counseling (MS)
Master of Science in Special Education (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)

*Currently Not Accepting New Applicants

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES
Educational Diagnostics (Code-153)
Principal (Code-68)
Reading Specialist (Code-151)
School Counselor (Code-152)
Superintendent (Code-195)

CERTIFICATE
Master Reading Teacher Certificate

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE DEGREES
See Academic Regulations for Graduate Degrees for specific TAMIU regulations.

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W	Dropped or withdrawn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

BILINGUAL GRADUATE PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Bilingual Education, the student must complete the following requirements:
1. Submit an application for graduate studies by the due dates provided by the Office of Graduate Studies & Research. Deadlines may be found at: www.tamiu.edu/gradschool/. In addition, please complete the following:
        a. Pay the application fee.
        b. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
        c. Submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if your academic studies are from a country where English is not the native language.
2. Resumé reflecting relevant work experience.
3. Prepare 2 essays (minimum of 300 words each) explaining your desire to pursue a graduate degree in Bilingual Education: one essay in English; one essay in Spanish.
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation: 1 from a supervisor school administrator and 1 from a faculty member.
5. The application must be approved by at least 2 Bilingual Education faculty members.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, you must complete the following:
1. Submit an application for graduate studies by the due dates provided by the Office of Graduate Studies & Research. Deadlines may be found at: www.tamiu.edu/gradschool/. In addition, please complete the following:
        a. Pay the application fee.
        b. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
        c. Submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if your academic studies are from a country where English is not the native language.
2. Submit a resumé.
3. Submit a personal statement describing your research interests and indicating how your research interests and academic/professional background characteristics will assist you in successfully completing the degree program.
4. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research. You may include one academic and one professional recommendation. Letters of recommendation should indicate:
        a. Applicant’s academic performance (or job performance that is relevant to show competency to be successful in graduate education).
        b. Applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program where a good deal of motivation, dedication, and self-direction are necessary.
        c. Applicant’s strengths and weaknesses.

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Submit an application for graduate studies by the due dates provided by the Office of Graduate Studies & Research. Deadlines may be found at: www.tamiu.edu/gradschool/. In addition, please complete the following:
        a. Pay the application fee.
        b. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
        c. Submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if your academic studies are from a country where English is not the native language.
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
3. A resumé which provides evidence of relevant work experience.
4. A one to two page statement detailing applicant’s 1) experiences and goals related to educational administration and 2) reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in educational administration.
5. Two (2) professional letters of recommendation (supervisors/faculty members).

In the event that an applicant does not meet the minimum admissions criteria, the applicant may appeal to the program’s admission committee and may be asked to submit additional information.

MAT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is an initial teacher preparation and certification program. Teh degree is not designed for persons who already hold a teaching certificate. Coursework in the 30-credit hour degree prgoram includes a 15-credit hour alternative certification (ACP) pathway and a 6-credit hour post-degree clinical pathway (EDCI 5693). Consequently, admission to the program includes both the Graduate School requirements and College of Education admission requirements. MAT admission requirements include the following:

A. A completed online application to the TAMIU Graduate School with "Master of Arts in Teaching" selected and designation of a concentration in either Elementary (EC-6) or Other (4-8/7-12/All Level).
B. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
C. A minimum 2.75 overall GPA on the latest baccalaureate degree or a 2.75 overall GPA on the last 60-hours of credit earned.
D. An admissions interview (confirmed by the MAT Program Coordinator via a passing score on an oral English language proficiency interview).
E. A 300-word written essay.
F. Applicants must meet these OGSR requirements and the following College of Education requirements to be fully admitted to MAT-ACP program. Course work and other program activities cannot begin until full admission requirements are met and the applicant has acknowledged program admission in writing.

Teacher Certification (ACP) Admission Requirements Include the Following:

Submitting the MAT-ACP application and initiating transcript analysis ($15 fee) to determine:
A. Verification of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
B. A minimum 2.75 overall GPA on the last 60 credit hours completed.
C. A grade of "C" or better in all concentra courses and in EC-6 and 4-8 Core Subjects courses.
D. A concentration in a discipline related to the teaching certificate pursued, as follows:

a. Core Subjects: 32 credit hours with a minimum 2.75 GPA, EC-6 (Elementary) and Grades 4-8 (Middle Grades).
b. Single subjects: 24 credit hours (12 upper division) with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
1. 7-12 Life Science; 4-8 and 7-12 English Language Arts and Reading, History, and Mathematics;
2. EC-12 Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, Special Education.
c. Composite fields, 36 credit hours (18 upper division) with a minimum 2.75 GPA, 4-8 or 7-12 Science and 4-8 or 7-12 Social Studies.

E. As an alternate to item D above, an applicant who meets OGSR and other MAT-ACP admission requirements may present a passing score on the Pre-Admission Certification Test (PACT) for the teaching certificate pursued. Applicants who pass the PACT may be admitted for teaching certificates in the fields noted above as well as other available Texas initial teaching fields for which TAMIU is approved. For example, applicants who have passed the PACT for 6-12 Business Education would be eligible for admission. The PACT must be passed prior to admission to the MAT-ACP program. (See the MAT Coordinator or ACP Manager for details).
F. Verification of eligibility to work in the United States.
G. Written acknowledgement of the Code of Ethics for Texas professional educators.
H. Written acknowledgement of FERPA requirements.
I. A minimum score of 6 on the Accuplacer (WritePlacer) written proficiency examination ($10 test fee). MAT-ACP applicants holding an advanced degree (MA, MBA, PhD, EdD, etc.) from an accredited institution with a 3.0 or above GPA will have the Writeplacer test waived.
J. A minimum score of 26 is required on each component (listening, speaking, reading and writing) of the TOEFL IBT for all applicants prospective teachers whose bachelor degree is from an international institution for which English is not the language of instruction.
K. Written acknowledgement by the applicant of formal admission to the MAT-ACP program.
L A clear criminal background check must be verified after program admission but prior to approval to participate in school-based field experiences, practica, and/or internships, and prior to employment as an educator.

Good Standing Requirements
Once admitted, teacher candidates in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program must remain in "good standing" in the College of Education. Requirements for maintaining good standing status include the following:

A. Maintain a minimum 3.00 grade point average in MAT coursework, with no more than one course grade below B.
B. Maintain continuous enrollment in at least one MAT-ACP program course each fall and spring semester.
C. Complete successfully at least six credit hours of program coursework annually.
D. Demonstrate adequate professional dispositions via annual assessments by program faculty, TAMIU field supervisors, and/or collaborating school personnel.
E. Demonstrate adequate progress toward successful completion of required TEXES certification examinations for the teaching certificate sought. Adequate progress is established, at minimum, by preparing for and taking at least one yet-to-be-passed TExES certification examination annually. Approval for taking TExES examinations requires evidence of adequate preparation.

Additional Information
A probationary teaching certificate may be renewed only two times. Continued employment on a probationary license certificate extension requires maintenance of "good standing," as shown in requirements A – E above. However, students who have successfully completed the internship and all ACP coursework are program completers and are not eligible for a probationary extension to complete required TExES testing.

Enrollment in non-MAT program courses while completing ACP program coursework is strongly discouraged and requires prior approval by the MAT Coordinator. Enrollment in non-MAT coursework while teaching on probationary certificate and/or paid internship must be program-related and pre-approved by the MAT Coordinator.

Participants admitted to the TAMIU Alternative Certification Program (ACP) prior to September I, 2015 must enroll in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in order to pursue completion of the MAT degree. Once admitted to the MAT-ACP program they must maintain good standing in the College of Education and complete program coursework. Substitute coursework, if any, should be program-related and must be pre-approved by the MAT Coordinator. However, since the MAT is an initial licensure program, former ACP participants with three or more years of teaching experience should pursue TAMIU graduate degree programs other than the MAT. Successfully completed MAT/ACP coursework will be considered as substitute courses in other College of Education degree programs.

Candidates who fail to maintain good standing may be granted one probationary semester or summer term on an action plan to re-establish good standing.

READING PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Submit an application for graduate studies by the due dates provided by the Office of Graduate Studies & Research. Deadlines may be found at: www.tamiu.edu/gradschool/. In addition, please complete the following:
        a. Pay the application fee.
        b. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
        c. Submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if your academic studies are from a country where English is not the native language.
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (students with a 2.5-2.9 GPA may be considered based on a required interview).
3. Two (2) Professional Letters & 1 Academic Letter.
4. Required to complete an Essay on the Literacy Topic provided.

SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A. For Full Admission:
1. Submit an application for graduate studies by the due dates provided by the Office of Graduate Studies & Research. Deadlines may be found at: www.tamiu.edu/gradschool/. In addition, please complete the following:
        a. Pay the application fee.
        b. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
        c. Submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if your academic studies are from a country where English is not the native language.
2. GPA 3.0 (last 60 credit hours)
3. Interview
4. Statement of Purpose: 700 word maximum
5. Three (3) letters of reference/nomination: 1 personal reference, 1 professional reference, and 1 nomination letter from a current professional school counselor.

Semester deadlines:
Fall: Final business day before semester begins.
Spring/Wintermester: Final business day before semester begins.
Summer: Final business day before semester begins.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Submit an application for graduate studies by the due dates provided by the Office of Graduate Studies & Research. Deadlines can be found at: www.tamiu.edu/gradschool/1. In addition, please complete the following:
        a. Pay the application fee.
        b. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
        c. Submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if your academic studies are from a country where English is not the native language.
2. An essay stating reasons for choosing the special education master’s program and career goals (500-750 words).
3. A current resumé.
4. Two (2) letters of professional recommendation.

¹All applicants will be fully reviewed by the Special Education Graduate Admissions Committee. Admission is based on a holistic review of all required application materials.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Major-Minor Requirements: Eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) hours in a major subject and twelve (12) to fifteen (15) hours in a minor or specialized area. Electives are taken to complete the thirty-six (36) hours for the degree. Minors not currently included as options for the degree will require department and dean approval.
Prerequisites (Stemwork): Eighteen (18) hours of education course work, including twelve (12) advanced hours. For each minor: twelve (12) hours of undergraduate work, including six (6) advanced hours. The College of Education, however, retains the right to examine the applicant’s prerequisites and to accept certain equivalent hours or to require additional work.
Thesis: The graduate student is expected to complete a thesis related to the major field of study. Graduate students in the College of Education may choose from a thesis or non-thesis track where available. Non-thesis track students will be required to write a major paper as prescribed by the department. Both thesis and non-thesis track students will be required to enroll in a Research Design course. Thesis track students will be expected to complete and successfully defend a thesis related to the major field of study and enroll in a thesis writing course offered by the College of Education.
Comprehensive Examination: A comprehensive examination shall be passed by the candidate covering the major field. The passing score will be valid for one year. Students majoring in Bilingual Education and admitted Fall 2007 or after will be required to pass both a written and oral comprehensive exam in the major and minor fields of study to satisfy degree requirements. All other master's degrees in the College of Education will require an oral comprehensive examination that may or may not be based on a written comprehensive examination.
A Second Master’s Degree: Students shall not be permitted to apply the same course credit to more than one master’s degree. To be admitted, students must satisfy all admission requirements including satisfying the GRE.
Undergraduate Courses for Graduate Credit: With the permission of the faculty advisor, up to six (6) credit hours of 4000-level courses, as indicated in the course descriptions, may be taken for graduate credit hours in the entire degree plan. These courses must include extra work over and above regular undergraduate syllabus requirements. Such work shall be prearranged with the course instructor.
Leave of Absence: Under unusual circumstances, a student may petition for a leave of absence. The student’s Advisory Committee Chairperson and the Chair of the Department must approve the petition. If the petition is granted, the registration requirement will be set aside during the period of the leave and will not count towards the requirement that the student complete a master’s degree within a period of five years or within the time specified for the particular program. Leaves will be granted only under conditions that require the suspension of all activities associated with the thesis.

POST-BACCALAUREATE TEACHER CERTIFICATION CANDIDATES
Candidates pursuing initial teacher certification may enroll in graduate level courses only if they have been accepted to Graduate Study in the College of Education.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE APPLICATION PROCESS
A. When a student chooses a degree that has a professional certificate attached to it:
1. The applicant must inform the Office of Graduate Studies during the initial application process of the intent to pursue the certificate after completing the Master’s program (selection is made in the Apply Texas application). E.g. MSED-Educational Administration + Principal Certificate.

2. The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) will then code the student in 2 programs (degree + certificate). When the student completes the degree and wants to begin the certificate, there is no need to apply again as the certificate program will be active. The Banner record will reflect this to allow registration and financial aid (if applicable).
B. If, however, the student does not indicate the certificate option during the initial application process, then the student will need to apply with OGS after finishing the Master’s program but before registering for certificate coursework. The student will follow the standard application process of submitting an application and fee.
C. For a student who finishes the Master’s degree and then wants to pursue a certificate different from the completed degree, the student will need to follow the standard application process of submitting an application and fee. The student will also need to be reviewed and admitted into the new program.

GRADUATE ADMISSION
The College of Education (COE) may grant provisional admission for a maximum of six graduate hours to students who have not submitted all relevant documentation and who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Provisional status must be removed at the end of the six semester credit hours and before any other coursework can be taken.

ELIGIBILTY TO TAKE TExES EXAMS

Approval to take TExES Exams is based on the procedure and criteria listed below.

Eligibility to Test. To be approved and eligible to sit for a TExES exam, graduate students, including Post-baccalaureate and Alternative Certification Program (ACP) students must complete required coursework and be in good standing with the College of Education.
Test Preparation Sessions and Practice Tests.

Post-baccalaureate, ACP, and graduate students pursuing an initial teaching certificate must complete six clock hours of Test Preparation and pass the appropriate Practice Test(s) before receiving approval to take any TExES exam/s. Test Preparation Sessions will be scheduled and conducted by University faculty.
All students (ACP, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students) must complete the appropriate Practice Tests to be given approval to take a TExES exam. Approval for Practice Tests will be through the Certification Office in the College of Education with the Advisor’s consent. Practice Tests are administered through the Texas A&M International University Testing Center, by appointment only.
Post-baccalaureate and graduate students must obtain a successful passing score on the Practice Test to be approved to take the corresponding State test.
Alternative Certification Program students must complete six hours of test preparation and successfully complete a Practice Test to be approved to take the PPR exam.

Exam sequence. Students seeking certification must take the required TExES in a prescribed sequence, noted below:

Post-baccalaureate students must take the TExES exams in the following sequence:

The Generalist/Content Exam in the specialization/major area. This test may not be taken until all coursework in the specialization/major area has been completed.
Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) (Bilingual EC-6 and 408). Students must have successfully completed all required Spanish courses, as applicable, prior to taking the BTLPT. Student must pass the BTLPT to be eligible to take the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Exam (PPR).
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Exam (PPR). To be eligible to take this test, students must have passed the Generalist/Content Area Exam and must be the teacher of record or enrolled in an internship in the area of specialization/major and grade level in which certification is being sought.

ACP students must take required TExES exams in the following sequence:

The Generalist/Content Exam in the specialization/major area. This exam is taken after the students has been admitted into the Alternative Certification Program, and must be passed before obtaining a teaching position in a public school.
The Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Exam (PPR). Students must have completed six hours of test preparation sessions, a Practice Test, EDCI 5300, be in good standing with the College of Education, and be in their first year of teaching to be eligible to take the PPR.
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Exam (PPR). To be eligible to take this test, students must have passed the Generalist/Content Area Exam and must be the teacher of record or enrolled in an internship in the area of specialization/major and grade level in which certification is being sought.

Taking a Second TExES Exam. Post-baccalaureate and ACP students must pass the TExES Exam they have been approved to take before attempting a second exam.
Students pursuing Bilingual Certification. Students pursuing certification in Bilingual Education, EC-6, must take the Generalist Exam for EC-6 and the Bilingual Supplemental Exam (EC-12).
Intervention. Post-baccalaureate, ACP, and graduate students who fail a TExES exam must complete an intervention designed to address domains/competencies on the exam which the student failed. Interventions will be carried out by faculty at Texas A&M International University. Students must successfully complete the intervention to be eligible to retake the TExES exam they failed.

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2016-2017 University Catalog

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION GRADUATE DEGREES

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
GRADUATE DEGREES