Tarleton State University offers graduate-level certification programs in the following Professional Certification areas: (Click on each to expand.)

Educational Diagnostician

  • Program Coordinator:
  • Handbook
  • Dismissal/Suspension Policy:
    • If a student who has previously been admitted to the Educational Diagnostician Program spends two long semesters without enrollment, program readmission will be required.
    • Failure of either EDSP 5329 or EDSP 5325 will result in automatic program dismissal. A grade of C or D in either EDSP 5329 or EDSP 5325 will result in program suspension of a minimum of one semester and up to one year, at the discretion of the program coordinator.

Principal as Instructional Leader

  • Program Coordinator:
  • Handbook
  • Dismissal Policy:
    • Exit/Dismissal Policy from the Tarleton EPP [TAC §228.31 (b)] – It is never anticipated that a student will be asked to leave the Educator Preparation Program. However, under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to dismiss a candidate from the program. According to Texas Administrative Code Rule §249.5, the following purposes provide the framework for considering dismissal from the program.
      • To protect the safety and welfare of Texas schoolchildren and school personnel;
      • To ensure educators and applicants are morally fit and worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of the state.
      • To regulate and enforce the standards of conduct of educators and applicants;
      • To enforce an educator’s code of ethics;
      • If a candidate has been inactive and not taking coursework and/or testing requirements for more than two years.
    • Acts that would cause an individual to be dismissed from the Education Preparation Program of Tarleton State University (TSU), but are not limited to the following:
      • Any violations of the Texas Educator Code of Ethics
      • Felony criminal offenses
      • Solicitation or engagement in a sexual or romantic relationship with a student or minor.
      • Sexual or physical abuse of a student or minor.
      • Engaging in any type of illegal behavior with a student or minor
      • Possession, transference, sale, or distribution of a controlled substance
      • Inability to place a candidate in a field-based setting due to actions with a school district.
      • Removal from a clinical teaching/internship/practicum/residency placement.
      • Not taking coursework and/or testing requirements in the admitted certification program for more than two years.
    • Dismissal Process for Candidate Inactivity
      • The candidate has not enrolled in academic coursework towards their certification program for more than two academic years.
      • The candidate will be notified in writing and/or electronically of their inactive status.
      • If the candidate does not respond to the notification with an indication of upcoming enrollment, they will be removed from the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
      • With removal from EPP, the inactive candidate will no longer have testing approval or be considered a candidate in the TSU EPP.
      • A candidate who has been removed from the EPP and is considered inactive by the EPP must reapply for admission to the respective certification program to return to active status.
    • Dismissal Process for Conduct Violations
      • Actions that violate the Texas Code of Ethics or the TSU EPP code of conduct and regulations will be forwarded to the Director of the EPP and the Head of the respective Department.
      • Violations will be documented in writing.
      • The Director of the EPP and the Head of the respective Department will meet with the faculty of the TSU EPP certification program to discuss the violation.
      • After meeting with the certification program faculty, the Director of the EPP and the Head of the respective Department will meet with the Dean of the College of Education to present the issue at hand.
      • The candidate in question may be asked to present information.
      • The Dean, Director, and Department Head can recommend:
        • 1. Permanent Dismissal from the Program
        • 2. Suspension from the Program for a determined period of time.
        • 3. Other sanctions as deemed appropriate
      • It is never anticipated that a student will be asked to leave the EPP. Several levels of support are provided to candidates to assist them throughout the process of teacher certification or graduate-level certification. Please seek assistance from these resources when necessary. It is much easier to deal proactively with a potential situation than to handle it reactively.
      • If necessary, a candidate may be placed on a growth plan that targets areas of deficiency and provides support to address and remediate these deficiencies. A committee will meet, comprised of members familiar with the candidate’s situation, and construct a plan including goals and a specific timeline. Failure to meet the goals in the growth plan will result in dismissal from the EPP.
      • Should a candidate need to withdraw from the EPP, written notification is required. It is also essential to speak with the program advisor so that the candidate is aware of the potential implications of leaving the program.
      • A signed copy of the certification program Exit Policy must be submitted with the candidate’s application to the program and must be kept on file in the candidate’s folder for TEA Audit purposes.

Reading Specialist

  • Program Coordinator:
  • Handbook
  • Dismissal Policy:
    • Tarleton State University Reading Specialist Educator Preparation Program (EPP) intends to graduate and certify Candidates who will be effective leaders and educators. Admitted Candidates into the Tarleton State University Reading Specialist Educator Preparation Program (EPP) are expected to demonstrate professional dispositions, strong academic standing, and evidence of a successful practicum. Furthermore, all Candidates who are recommended for Reading Specialist teaching certification by Tarleton State University have proven their skills and knowledge of integrated literacy assessment, instruction, and leadership as demonstrated during the literacy practicum.
    • Tarleton State University Candidates must meet and agree to all program policies for retention and dismissal before formal admittance in the Tarleton State University Reading Specialist Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
    • A Tarleton Reading Specialist Candidate will remain in good academic standing as follows:
      • A Candidate must continue to meet admission standards for both the Reading Specialist Program and the College of Graduate Studies. Failure to maintain admission standards will result in one semester of probation. If the deficiency is not rectified by the end of the probation semester, the Candidate will be dropped from the program.
      • A Candidate must make satisfactory progress toward Reading Specialist certification.
        • If a Candidate does not take any coursework for two long semesters at Tarleton, the Candidate will be formally dismissed from the program.
      • A Candidate must maintain good standing with all aspects of the literacy practicum including field log documentation, formal observations, and related tasks.
    • Reasons for dismissal from the Reading Specialist Educator Preparation Program may include, but are not limited to, the following:
      • failure to rectify any probation;
      • receiving three flags for Professional Standards and Behaviors;
      • violation of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators [TAC §247.2]; and/or
      • violation of school district and/or campus rules and regulations.
    • Procedures for removing a student from the Reading Specialist Educator Preparation Program:
      • If the dismissal is due to a violation of established admission or retention expectations, the Certification Officer will notify the student in writing of the grounds for dismissal.
      • If the dismissal is related to the literacy practicum, the Coordinator of Field Experiences and/or Director of Education Preparation Services will schedule a meeting with the student to discuss their options.
      • If the dismissal is due to a violation of the Code of Ethics or Standard Practices for Texas Educators, the Director of Education Preparation Services will schedule a meeting with the student to notify them of their dismissal.

School Counselor

Superintendent