Department of Counseling and Special Populations

Location: 105 Education Building, Phone: 409.880.8978

Interim Department Chair: Dr. Pamela Monk

Degree Coordinators:

• M.Ed. – Counseling -Dr. Pamela E. Monk, 409.880.8978, 104 Education Building
• M.Ed. -Special Education -Dr. Nancy Carlson, 409.880.7822, 217 Education Building
• B.S. -Special Education -Dr. Debra Troxclair,409.880.8509, 208 Education Building
• Endorsement in Gifted Education – Dr. Dorothy Sisk, 409.880.2316, 103 Education Building

Graduate Faculty

Interim Department Chair, Assistant Professor Pamela Monk, Counseling Associate Dean, William R. Holmes, Counseling Professor, Dorothy Sisk, Gifted and Talented Professor, Carolyn Crawford, Counseling Professor, Mohammad K. Hamza, Counseling Associate Professor, Nancy Carlson, Diagnostician Associate Professor, Fara Goulas, Special Education Assistant Professor, Melanie Bullock, Counseling Assistant Professor, Rebecca Frels, Counseling Assistant Professor, Debra Troxclair, Special Education Assistant Professor, Carlo Walker, Counseling Clinical Instructor, Trisha Harris, Counseling

Degrees Offered

Counseling and Special Populations Degree Plans

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 Counseling and Development
Master of Education in Special Education

Courses of Study leading to Professional Certificates in:

• Educational Diagnostician
• Generic Special Education
• Professional School Counselor

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 Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum and Physical Activity:

PHIL1370
ENGL 1301
ENGL 1302
ENGL LIT (any 2000-level literature course)
COMM 1315
HIST 1301
HIST 1302
POLS 2301
POLS 2302
MATH 1314
MATH 1350

PHYS 1405
BIOL 1408
PSYC 2301 OR SOCI 1301
THEA 1310
PEGA

2. MAJOR/ CERTIFICATION COURSES (*Must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program before enrolling.)

*SPED 3305
*SPED 3372
*SPED 4307
*SPED 4308
*SPED 4309
*SPED 4311

Pedagogy/Professional

*PEDG 3310
*PEDG 3320
*PEDG 3350
*PEDG 3351
*PEDG 4340
*PEDG 4350
*PEDG 4650

4. Other requirements

Math and Science
MATH 3312
MATH 3313
CHEM 2411

GEOL 2377

Reading

*READ 3326

*READ 3393

Additional Requirements

PEDG 2310

PEDG 2342

*ENGL 4305

*SOCI 3301

TOTAL number of required hours: 121 Hours

NOTE: Students graduating & certifying with this plan must meet ALL degree requirements and pass the TExES tests to become certified.

Graduate Program

The Counseling and Special Populations Department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees in Professional School Counseling, Counseling and Development, 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 and 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. Non-admitted students wishing to transfer courses from another department or another university must have permission of the Department Chair before registering.

Admission to a Masters’ 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 plus the departmental requirements.

The Counseling and Special Populations Department requires a minimum score of 1350 calculated as followed: GPA X 200 + Verbal and Quantitative Graduate Record Exam. 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 10078, 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 coursework, 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 Master’s Degree in Counseling and Development requires the successful completion of a comprehensive 48-semester-hour program of study as detailed in the degree plan and on the department’s website.

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 48 hours of coursework that is primarily counseling or counseling related coursework. 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.

M.Ed. in Counseling and Development

LEVEL I -24 HOURS – FOUNDATION : *Pending approval from the Graduate Council

COSP ____* EDLD 5301: Research and Accountability

COSP 5301* CNDV 5301: Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Development

CNDV 5311 Individual Counseling Theories and Techniques COSP 5322*: Professional Ethics and Law

COSP 5334* CNDV 5334: Assessment, Evaluation, and Interpretation

COSP 5320* Multiculturalism, Diversity, and Equity

CNDV 5351 Consultation

COSP 5323* CNDV 5323: Career Development and Exploration LEVEL II -9 HOURS – THEORIES & TECHNIQUES:

CNDV 5310 INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP FACILITATION

(Prerequisite 5311, Required before taking Practicum)

CNDV 5312 GROUP COUNSELING THEORIES & TECHNIQUES

CNDV 5350 ABNORMAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR Applications to Candidacy MUST be completed BEFORE ENROLLING in the last nine hours of the Master’s Program. LEVEL III – 9 HOURS – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

CNDV ____ COUNSELING ELECTIVE (5321, 5380, 5381, 5382)

CNDV ____ COUNSELING ELECTIVE (5321, 5380, 5381, 5382)

CNDV ____ COUNSELING ELECTIVE(5321, 5380, 5381, 5382)

LEVEL IV -6 HOURS – PRACTICUM: 300 CONTACT HOURS -2 SEMESTERS (150 HRS EACH)/6 HRS CREDIT

Practicum may be taken with ONE additional course.

CNDV 5392 BEGINNING COMMUNITY COUNSELING

CNDV 5393 ADVANCED COMMUNITY COUNSELING

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 36 hours of coursework. This degree is offered only in a totally on-line format via the LUOnline program. The course of study is detailed in the degree plan and on the department’s website.

The practicum course is the final course and requires all other courses to be completed to enroll. The Practicum includes a mentor (supervisor) being assigned from the student’s district/campus, for a total of 160 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 http://stateu.com/lamar. In the right corner, click on the box labeled “Apply Here.” 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 80 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. After completion of the course work and passing of the pre-test, the student must take and pass the TExES examination. The student should apply for the certificate at the Office of Professional Services in the Education Building at Lamar University.

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

M.Ed. in Professional School Counseling

*Pending approval of Graduate Council

COSP ____* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Introduction to Professional School Counseling

COSP 5323* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Career Development and Exploration

COSP 5334* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Assessment, Evaluation, and Interpretation

COSP 5301* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Development

COSP ____* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Theories and Techniques “A”

COSP 5320* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Multiculturalism, Diversity, and Equity

COSP ____* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Theories and Techniques “B”

COSP 5330* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: The ASCA Model: Transformational Schools and Systemic Change

COSP 5322* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Professional Ethics and Law

COSP ____* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Professional School Counselor Leadership and Crisis Management

COSP ____* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Research and Accountability

COSP 5390* CNDV 5382: Selected Instructional Topics: Professional School Counseling Practicum

M.Ed. in Special Education

To meet individual needs in this traditional program, some flexibility is allowed in planning the student’s program; however, the usual pattern of course work is indicated below. If a student desires, he/she may complete requirements for a standard five-year renewable Certificate as an Educational Diagnostician. In addition, the student may complete requirements for a Certificate in Special Education-Generic as part of the degree plan. This degree, if the student is pursuing one of the described certifications, is planned as a 36 semester hour non-thesis program. A student not seeking a certificate within the degree hours may complete a degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours plus a thesis.

The student should secure information concerning requirements for certification from the Graduate Coordinator. General information concerning Professional Certificates is presented in another portion of the College of Education and Human Development section of this catalog.

M.Ed. in Special Education (Generic Certification)

 

1. Professional Development Area. 9 semester hours are required:

*COSP _____PEDG 5310 Research and Accountability

*COSP 5301 PEDG 5340 Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social

Development

PEDG 5350 The Learning Process

2. Resource Area. 12 semester hours are required:

*COSP 5334 PEDG 5334 Assessment, Evaluation, and Interpretation

PEDG 5361 Survey of Learning Potentials of Exceptional Children

PEDG 5370 Public School Curriculum

PEDG 5388 Reading/Language Arts for the Exceptional Learner

3. Specialization Area. 15 semester hours are required:

PEDG 5362 Psychoeducational Evaluation of Exceptional Children

PEDG 5364 Behavior Modification and Contingency Management of Disabled

Learners

PEDG 5365 Instructional Processes with Exceptional Children

PEDG 5366 Modification of Curriculum and Instruction for the Atypical Learner

PEDG 5375 Content Area Reading

M.Ed. in Special Education (Educational Diagnostician Certification)

1. Professional Development Area. 9 semester hours are required:

*COSP _____PEDG 5310 Research and Accountability *COSP 5301 PEDG 5340 Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social

Development

PEDG 5350 The Learning Process

2. Resource Area.9 semester hours are required:

PEDG 5361 Survey of Learning Potentials of Exceptional Children (Req)

PEDG 5388 Reading/Language Arts for the Exceptional Learner

PEDG 5375 Content Area Reading

PEDG 5344 School Law

PEDG 5365 Instructional Processes with Exceptional Children (Req)

3. Specialization Area. 18 semester hours are required:

*COSP 5334 PEDG 5334 Assessment, Evaluation, and Interpretation

PEDG 5362 Psychoeducational Evaluation of Exceptional Children

CNDV 5321 Test Administration and Interpretation

PEDG 5363 Practicum in Psychoeducational Procedures

PEDG 5364 Behavior Modification and Contingency Management of Disabled

Learners

PEDG 5366 Modification of Curriculum and Instruction for the Atypical Learner

General Information Concerning Professional Certificates

The Professional Certificate is a standard five-year renewable certificate, and gives the holder legal authority to perform duties in the public schools of Texas in the specialized areas designated on the face of the certificate. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the process of applying for certification by contacting the College Certification Officer