Location: 105 Education Building, Phone (409) 880-8978

Department Chair: Carl J. Sheperis, Ph.D., NCC, CCMHC, MAC, ACS, LPC

Degree Coordinators:

• M.Ed. – School Counseling -Dr. Belinda Lopez, (409) 880-7149, 244 Education Building
• M.Ed. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Dr. RJ Davis, (409) 880-8903, 216 Education Building
• Special Populations -Dr. Sedef Smith - (409) 880-7723, 217 Education Building
• Endorsement in Gifted Education – Dr. Dorothy Sisk, (409) 880-2316, 103 Education Building

Graduate Faculty

Carl J. Sheperis, Department Chair; Associate Professor, Counseling

William R. Holmes, Associate Dean; Professor, Counseling

Dorothy Sisk, Conn Chair for Gifted and Talented Education; Professor, Special Populations/Gifted/Talented

Mohammad K. Hamza, Professor, Counseling

Rebecca Frels, Assistant Professor, Counseling

Sedef Smith, Assistant Professor, Special Populations/ESL

RJ Davis, Assistant Professor, Counseling

Belinda Lopez, Assistant Professor, Counseling

J. Darrell Mohr, Assistant Professor, Special Education

Rachael Whitaker, Visiting Professor, Counseling

Patricia Harris, Clinical Instructor, Counseling

Donna Sheperis, Associate Professor, Counseling

Anna Nguyen, Assistant Professor, Special Populations/Ed Diag

Dilani Pererra Diltz, Associate Professor, Counseling

Deidra Byas, Visiting Professor, Counseling

Wendy Greenidge, Assistant Professor, Counseling

Brande Flamez, Distance Clinical Professor, Counseling

Melissa Wheeler, Distance Clinical Professor, Counseling

Ann Ordway, Distance Clinical Professor, Counseling

Joy Snook, Assistant Professor, Counseling

Cheryl Nelson, Visiting Assistant Professor, Special Education

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Special Education. EC -12 Special Education – 121 hrs

Graduate

Master of Education in Professional School Counseling
Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Education in Special Education
Master of Education in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Specialization

Courses of study leading to professional certification in:

• Educational Diagnostician
• Generic Special Education
• Counseling and Development

Endorsements: Gifted Education

Undergraduate Program

The Counseling and Special Populations department offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in special education.

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program, which are listed elsewhere in this catalog. Developmental courses do not count in the GPA (except for determining full-time status and issues related to probation and suspension) and do not count toward graduation.

I. Requirements within the General Education Core Curriculum:

1.  Must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program before enrolling

2.  Candidates graduating & certifying with this plan must meet ALL degree requirements and pass the PPR, Content Area, and Special Education TExES tests to become certified in accordance with Highly Qualified Status Regulations.

Graduate Program

The Counseling and Special Populations Department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees in  Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Professional School Counseling, and Special Education. For students already holding a master’s degree and teacher certification, the department offers course work leading to certification as a diagnostician, as well as special education, English as a Second Language, and Autism. The department also offers a certificate program that leads to gifted education endorsements. It is the goal of the Master of Education and the Professional Certificate programs to provide the academic climate and practical experience necessary to produce teachers and other specialists of superior competence in their chosen areas of specialization.

Admission

Admission to a master’s degree program is required of all students taking courses in the Counseling and Special Populations Department. A maximum of nine semester hours may be taken prior to admission. For the on-campus program, non-admitted students wishing to transfer courses from another department or another university must have permission of the department chair before registering. Transfer credits from other institutions are not permitted for the online programs.

Admission to a Master's Degree Program

To be admitted to a program leading to a master’s degree in the Counseling and Special Populations Department, students must fulfill the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College as stated elsewhere in this bulletin in addition to the departmental requirements.

For all applicants to master's degree programs in the Department of Counseling and Special Populations (online and on campus), students with a 3.0 GPA undergrad or 3.0 in their last 60 hours are admitted unconditionally. Those students who do not have the minimum GPA are then required to take the GRE. Students required to take the GRE must meet the institutional GRE and GPA standard according to the formula (GPA X 50) + GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative =/or greater than 428. The GPA used in the formula may be either the overall or the last 60 semester hours, whichever is higher. Students not granted admission may appeal the decision.

Students whose scores are below this standard may be considered on an individual basis and may be admitted by the department upon appeal to the department chair with letters of recommendation from current professor(s) and other letters of recommendation as requested. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is not accepted as a substitute for minimum scores on the Graduate Record Exam. If a student has applied for admission to a degree program and has not received notification of acceptance (or non-acceptance) within 30 days after application, the student should check with the Graduate Admissions Office.

Admission to Candidacy for Master’s Degree

After completing at least 12 semester hours of course work on the master’s degree, the student should apply for Admission to Degree Candidacy. Forms for admission to candidacy should be obtained from the Counseling and Special Populations Department Office and returned there upon completion. These forms will also be available on the department’s website. (NOTE: University regulations require the student be admitted to candidacy prior to beginning the last nine hours of course work). If a student does not have a letter certifying admission to candidacy within 30 days after making application, the student should check with the department office.

Step-by-Step Procedures

1. Apply for admission to the Graduate College of Lamar University.

A. Complete the application found at Applytexas.org

B. Complete the Graduate Record Examination and have scores sent to Graduate Admissions, Lamar University, P.O. Box 11614, Beaumont, TX 77710.

C. Have all transcripts sent to Graduate Admissions as in “B” above.

1. Consult with program advisor to develop a degree plan. NOTE: No deviations from the degree plan will be permitted without prior written permission of the advisor or department head.
2. In consultation with the graduate advisor, select members of graduate committee. (The program advisor will chair this committee.)
3. Complete at least 12 hours of course work from the degree plan (at least six semester hours must be from courses in the major) and apply for Admission to Candidacy. NOTE: A student must be admitted to candidacy prior to beginning the last nine hours of course work.
4. Complete remaining course work.
   1. Complete requirements for graduation.
   2. Apply for graduation either through the online advisor or in the Graduate College office (219 Wimberly).
   3. Take and pass comprehensive examination during the last semester of attendance.
   4. To take the comprehensive examination, a student must be in the last semester of course work, have no incompletes (“I” grade) or unsatisfactory (“D” or “F” grades) on the transcript and have met all other requirements for graduation.
5. Graduate.

NOTE: Completion of some master’s programs also includes completion of all course requirements for an additional certification. A student desiring the additional certificate must apply to take the appropriate TExES Exam at the Office of Professional Services and Admissions. The TExES exam may be taken only after all course work has been successfully completed. After successfully passing the exam, the student should apply at the Certification Office for the certificate.

Master’s Degrees in Counseling and Development

The Department of Counseling and Special Populations offers M.Ed degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 hours) and Professional School Counseling (48 hours).

M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires the successful completion of a comprehensive 60-semester-hour program of study as detailed in the degree plan and on the department’s website. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare professional counselors who have a strong desire to help others and to promote their well-being. 

Lamar University’s M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a non-thesis program designed to prepare professional counselors to meet the requirements of credentialing articulated by national and state standards through a focus on:

• Professional Identity 
• Knowledge and Skills in Counseling, Prevention and Intervention 
• A Commitment to Diversity and Advocacy 
• Knowledge and Skills in Assessment 
  
• Knowledge and Skills in Research and Evaluation
  
• Knowledge and Skills in Clinical Diagnosis 
  

Students are required to complete 60 hours of coursework. This degree is offered online and on campus. The course of study is detailed in the degree plan and on the department’s website.

The internship course is the final course and requires all other courses to be completed to enroll. The practicum course is 100 contact hours and the internship is 600 contact hours.

Education requirements vary by state, but a master’s degree is required to become a professional counselor in Texas and most states. It is the student’s responsibility to determine certification requirements in the home state.

Each course emphasizes knowledge and skills within an application-based curriculum. 

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors regulates licensing requirements for counselors to render services in the state of Texas through private practice, group practice, institutions, organizations, and similar types of arrangements. This board requires a master’s degree and at least 48 hours of course work that is primarily counseling or counseling-related course work. Students who need additional information or wish to complete academic work toward licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) should see their faculty advisor or contact the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors in Austin, Texas.

Program of Study

CNDV    5301       HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

CNDV    5302       FOUNDATIONS OF CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

CNDV    5310       COUNSELING SKILLS

CNDV    5311       INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES

CNDV    5312       GROUP COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES

CNDV    5320       MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING                                                                                              

CNDV    5322       PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS, AND THE LAW                       

CNDV    5323       CAREER DEVELOPMENT

CNDV    5324       SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING

CNDV    5334       MEASUREMENT AND ASSESSMENT      

CNDV    5350       ABNORMAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR

CNDV    5351       CONSULTATION

CNDV    5352       CRISIS PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

CNDV    5353       RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION

CNDV    5380       SEMINAR: ACADEMIC RESIDENCY 1

CNDV    5380       SEMINAR; ACADEMIC RESIDENCY 2

CNDV    5381       MARRIAGE, COUPLE, AND FAMILY COUNSELING

CNDV    5393       PRACTICUM    (3 CREDITS)

CNDV    5394       INTERNSHIP 1 (3 CREDITS)

CNDV    5394       INTERNSHIP 2 (3 CREDITS)

Master’s Degree in Professional School Counseling

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Professional School Counseling is designed to prepare educators who have a strong desire to help students succeed academically and to promote their well-being. School counselors focus their work on positive student development, especially high expectations, achievement motivation, and school engagement. Counselors help to build a caring and positive school climate, promote resiliency, provide support and guidance to students, and involve parents in schooling.

Lamar University’s M.Ed. in Professional School Counseling is a non-thesis totally online program designed to prepare educators to meet the requirements of School Counselor credentialing articulated by national and state standards and the Texas State Board for Educator Certification standards through:

• Developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for fulfilling the school counselor role
• Building a school community that supports the success of all students
• Facilitating the well-being and development of children and youth in the educational setting
• Delivering a developmental guidance program, intervention services, career planning, individual counseling, and planning based on student needs as well as supporting the educational mission of the school.

Students are required to complete 48 hours of coursework. This degree is offered only in a totally online format via the LUOnline program. The course of study is detailed in the degree plan and on the department’s website.

The internship course is the final course but may be completed in conjunction with other courses. Both the Practicum and Internship include a mentor (supervisor) being assigned from the student’s district/campus, for a total of 700 hours.

Education requirements vary by state, but a master’s degree is required to become a certified counselor in Texas and most states. It is the student’s responsibility to determine certification requirements in the home state.

Each 5-week course emphasizes knowledge and skills within an application-based curriculum. This program can be completed in as little as 18 months.

Admission to the online program

Go to applytexas.org

Note: Send all documents to the address provided on the Apply Texas website.

Professional School Counselor’s Certificate

A student who completes requirements for a Master of Education degree in Professional School Counseling will have fulfilled all curriculum requirements for a Professional School Counselor’s Certificate in the state of Texas. The student is required to take and pass with a score of 75 the TExES pre-test examination in order to be granted permission to take the TExES.

Prerequisites for the certificate include Texas teacher certification and two years of acceptable classroom teaching experience (Texas Students Only). After completion of the course work and passing of the pre-test, the student must take and pass the TExES examination within one year of graduation. The student should apply for the certificate at the Office of Professional Services in the Education Building at Lamar University. Students who do not complete the TExES within one year may not receive permission to test.

Students from outside the state of Texas should consult their state’s rules for professional school counselor certification.

CNDV   5301     HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT                     

CNDV   5303     INTRODUCTION TO SCHOOL COUNSELING

CNDV   5310     COUNSELING SKILLS              

CNDV   5311     INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES

CNDV   5312     GROUP COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES

CNDV   5320     MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING             

CNDV   5322     PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS, AND THE LAW             

CNDV   5323     CAREER DEVELOPMENT                                

CNDV   5330     DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE & COUNSELING              

CNDV   5334     MEASUREMENT AND ASSESSMENT  

CNDV   5352     CRISIS Prevention & iNTERVENTION

CNDV   5353     RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION

CNDV   5380     SEMINAR (LAMAR ACADEMIC RESIDENCY)

CNDV   5390     SCHOOL COUNSELING PRACTICUM

CNDV   5394     INTERNSHIP

 PRACTICUM: 100 CONTACT HOURS - 3 HRS CREDIT

• Practicum may be taken with additional courses

 INTERNSHIP: 600 CONTACT HOURS – 6 HRS CREDIT

• Internship may be taken with additional courses 

• Students should apply for candidacy after 18 hours. G2 forms can be found at:https://www.lamar.edu/graduate-studies/. Turn in completed forms to departmental office.
• Applications to Candidacy MUST be completed BEFORE ENROLLING in the last nine hours of the Master’s Program.