x
  
  

Student Handbook

ADMISSIONS AND WITHDRAWALS FROM THE COLLEGE

UNDERGRADUATE CANDIDATES SEEKING ADMISSION INTO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION’S EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM (EPP):

In order to register for junior and senior level education courses for a degree program, students must apply to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP), or Alternative Certification Program (ACP) with the College of Education. Admission to the programs 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 programs will be eligible to enroll in 3000- 4000 junior/senior level courses in their degree program and courses that apply to ACP.

Formal admission requirements are:

  1. Application: Submit an application form available online. Students must apply for readmission to the Educator Preparation Program, Alternative Certification Program if not enrolled for one academic year. Any admissions program requirements in place at the time of readmission must be met.
  2. All applicants must formally acknowledge acceptance into the appropriate EPP, AND ACP (the date of the acknowledgement will be the date of formal admission to the EPP), after which applicants may enroll in COE coursework.
  3. Courses: Junior classification and completion of all freshman and sophomore level courses including the all core curriculum coursework with a grade "C" or better.
  4. Applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency skills.
  5. Basic Skills Requirement: Demonstration of basic skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics by meeting the requirements established by TAC 4.54 (http://txrules.elaws.us/rule/title19_chapter4_sec.4.54), Note: Test scores exceeding a five year period will not be accepted.
  6. Applicants must complete a screening instrument to determine appropriateness of applicant's knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude.
  7. Successfully complete ( with a "C" or better) the following: core curriculum courses for Elementary Education Certification; completion of a minimum of 12 SCH in the single subject content area for Grades 7-12 certification; completion of a minimum of 15 SCH for Math and Science Grades 7-12 certification or a passing score on the PACT examination.
  8. GPA: Have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in the last 60 SCH on all coursework previously attempted at which the applicant is currently enrolled or from the most recent bachelor's degree. For undergraduate initial certification, a 2.75 GPA must be maintained to remain in good standing, except for Graduate and Alternative Certification Programs which require a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 SCH.
  9. Foreign Language Requirement: Meet the University’s Foreign Language graduation requirement. This may be demonstrated by fulfilling one of the following requirements:
    1. 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.
    2. earning a minimum grade of "C" in 6 SCH in one foreign language.
    3. CLEP or AP exam scores that award 6 SCH in one foreign language. NOTE: Bilingual Education Emphasis applicants may not use this option to meet the foreign language requirement.
    4. completion of two foreign language courses in one language with a "C" or better from the University's International Language Institute.
    5. completion of two American Sign Language courses with a "C" or better.
  10. 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.
  11. Criminal Background Check: Candidates will complete a criminal background check as well as a fingerprint clearance, as determined by the school district for required fieldwork, and will be required to have a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator.
  12. The College of Education has the right to graduate, but not necessarily recommend that a completer sit for the TEXES state certification exam(s).
  13. 3000-4000 Level Courses: In order to register for any 3000-4000 level College of Education course, candidates must be fully admitted to the Educator Preparation. A 2.75 GPA must be maintained to remain in good standing in coursework, except for the Alternative Certification program which requires a 3.0 GPA.
  14. Applicant must read, complete, and sign the FERPA and Code of Ethics.
  15. All applicants must formally acknowledge acceptance into the appropriate EPP or ACP (the date of the acknowledgement will be the date of formal admission to the EPP), after which applicants may enroll in COE coursework.

GRADUATE STUDENTS SEEKING ADMISSIONS INTO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION’S EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM (EPP):

Formal admission requirements are:

  1. Application: Submit an application to the Graduate School through ApplyTexas. Students must apply for readmission to the Educator Preparation Program, Alternative Certification Program if not enrolled for one academic year. Any admissions program requirements in place at the time of readmission must be met.
  2. All applicants must formally acknowledge acceptance into the appropriate EPP, AND ACP (the date of the acknowledgement will be the date of formal admission to the EPP), after which applicants may enroll in COE coursework.
  3. Applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency skills.
  4. Applicants must complete a screening instrument to determine appropriateness of applicant's knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude.
  5. GPA: Graduate and Alternative Certification Programs which require a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 SCH.
  6. 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.
  7. The College of Education has the right to graduate, but not necessarily recommend that a completer sit for the TEXES state certification exam(s).
  8. Applicant must read, complete, and sign the FERPA and Code of Ethics.
  9. All applicants must formally acknowledge acceptance into the appropriate EPP or ACP (the date of the acknowledgement will be the date of formal admission to the EPP), after which applicants may enroll in COE coursework.

These programs have additional requirements in order to obtain certification:

  • Educational Diagnostician (Code-153)
  • Master Reading Teacher (Code-085)
  • Principal (Code-68)
  • School Counselor (Code-152)
  • Superintendent (Code-195)

To view all requirements of the program of your interest, please visit the program’s catalog which can be found here. To submit an application, please visit the Graduate School website.

The College of Education follows the same policies for dropping coursework and withdrawing from the university as Texas A&M International University as a whole. To learn more, please visit https://www.tamiu.edu/registrar/drop_withdrawal.shtml

PROCEDURES: Complete Registration/Drop Form (pre-census date) or Drop Form (post-census date) in Office of the University Registrar ; or Drop using Uconnect, before the final late registration date. Student should verify the drop has been processed as soon as possible by checking his or her schedule through Uconnect.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY: DEFINITION: Students who drop all classes for which they are enrolled are considered to have withdrawn from the university for that semester. Students who find it necessary to withdraw from all courses must notify the Office of Student Success in Zaffirini Success Center 224. Refer to the Refund of Fees section of the catalog for refund schedules. I

IMPORTANT NOTE: Drops or withdrawals are student initiated through the above procedures only; not attending class does not initiate a drop, withdrawal, or refund, and may result in failing grades.

FINANCIAL AID IMPACT: Approval required from staff at the Office of Financial Aid Exit counseling required for federal student loan if withdrawing or reducing load to less than 6 hours. Call 956.326.2225 for further information.

ABSENCE FROM CLASS: It is assumed that a vital part of every student's education is regular attendance of class meetings. Every faculty member keeps a current attendance record on all students. Any absences tend to lower the quality of a student's work in a course, and frequent or persistent absences may preclude a passing grade or cause a student to be dropped from one or more courses by the respective faculty with approval of his or her Chair and Dean. A student who abandons courses without officially withdrawing will receive a grade of "F" in each course, regardless of when that student ceases to attend classes (See Refund of Fees).

MINIMUM GRADE POINT AVERAGE FOR GOOD STANDING WITH THE UNIVERSITY: To be in good standing, an UNDERGRADUATE student must have a 2.0 grade-point average on his/her cumulative record as well as on his/her current semester record. To be in good standing, a GRADUATE student must have a 3.0 grade-point average on his/her cumulative record as well as on his/her current semester record.

ACADEMIC PROBATION: An UNDERGRADUATE student will be placed in academic probation if his or her cumulative grade point average is below a "C" (2.0/4.0) or if work for any semester falls below a "C". A GRADUATE student will be placed in academic probation if his or her cumulative grade point average is below a "B" (3.0/4.0) or if work for any semester falls below a "B".

REMOVING ACADEMIC PROBATION: A student who has been placed on academic probation will be removed from such probation at the conclusion of the semester or summer term at Texas A & M International University when the cumulative grade point average required for their classification, and the current semester has been achieved.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION (ENFORCED WITHDRAWAL): Students who have been placed on Academic Probation, and fail to achieve the minimum institutional cumulative grade point average during the next long semester will be placed on Academic Suspension. Students on Academic Suspension will be required to sit out one long semester and may re-enroll after such absence under Academic Probation. Prior to enrolling, the returning student must meet with an academic advisor to develop an academic improvement plan. The advisor will then meet with the student throughout the semester to monitor the student’s progress in meeting established goals and determine appropriate subsequent actions. The student may appeal the Academic Suspension to the Dean of the College/School, or the Dean’s designate, in which he/she is pursuing a degree by submitting a petition for academic reinstatement and a student self assessment. If the petition is approved, the student will be permitted to enroll on Academic Probation. Prior to enrolling, the returning student must meet with the dean to develop an academic improvement plan. The dean or designate will meet with the student throughout the semester to monitor the student’s progress in meeting established goals and determine appropriate subsequent actions.