Graduate Admissions

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS  

In addition to the University’s minimum criteria for graduate programs, the admission process for the Master of Education requires the applicant to meet the following criteria for full admission:    

School Counselor:    

1. Have a current, satisfactory criminal background check.    

2. Have a minimum cumulative overall GPA of 2.75 in previous undergraduate/graduate coursework. In accordance with the Texas Education Code, (TEC), §21.0441(b), an exception to the minimum GPA requirement may be granted by the program director only in extraordinary circumstances.  An applicant is eligible for this exception if:    

(i) documentation and certification from the program director that an applicant's work, business, or career experience demonstrates achievement equivalent to the academic achievement represented by the GPA requirement; and    

(ii) in accordance with the TEC, §21.0441(a)(2)(B), an applicant must pass an appropriate content certification examination as specified in paragraph (4)(C) of this subsection for each subject in which the applicant seeks certification prior to admission. In accordance with the TEC, §21.0441(b), applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement and have previously been admitted into an EPP may request permission to register for an appropriate content certification examination if the applicant is not 281 ADMISSION & ENROLLMENT seeking admission to the same EPP that previously granted test approval for a certification examination in the same certification class.    

3. Successfully complete an interview with the Graduate Program Director and/or the Dean of the School of Education  

4. Successfully complete an oral and written presentation of a case study screener.  

PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE  

During this program you will have to spend 160 hours working in a practicum setting in a Texas public school. If you are currently working full time in a Texas public school it may be possible for you to complete your practicum experience in your school. More details about your practicum experience will be covered prior to the beginning of your assignment. Please contact the program director if you have questions.    

  CERTIFICATION  

In order to become certified as a school counselor you need to meet the following requirements:  

1. Hold a master’s degree in counseling from an accredited institution of higher education.  

2. Successfully complete the EPP program requirements to earn the School Counselor certificate. See TAC Chapter 239.20 for further details.   

3. Pass the TExES School Counselor (252) certification exam. Details about that process will follow later in this handbook.   

4. Apply for certification in your TEAL account through TEA.  

5. ETBU will approve the certification request once you have met all of the above requirements.    

TExES  

One of the steps toward certification is the passing of your TExES exam (252). Here is the process:  

1. Complete required content and testing study material through your practicum courses.  

2. Sign up for, take, and pass the ETBU practice exam for TExES School Counselor (252) with a score of at least 80%. Candidates who live more than 45 miles from Marshall, Texas, will be able to take the $10 online interactive practice exam from Pearson instead available here: https://www.tx.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/TX252_PrepMaterials.html  

3. Sign up for, take, and pass the certification test through Pearson.  

If you are unsuccessful during any of these steps, the program director will prescribe a specific program of study designed to work on weak areas of knowledge, skills, and mindsets before proceeding toward the certification exam.   

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS   

For the Master of Education in School Counseling, there are 48 graduate credit hours required, including 6 hours of practicum courses. Students must complete all credit hours with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average.  Students must complete all requirements for the degree within five years of starting the program.     

Students may be dismissed from the program for the following reasons:   

1. Failure to maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average.   

2. Earning a grade of “D” or “F” in any class.   

DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW   

When candidates hoping to be admitted into our Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and candidates who have already been accepted into our EPP fail to meet the substantive expectations of our University, faculty, or education preparation program a candidate review process will be initiated.  The goal of this review process is to supply support and supervision in the areas that are being identified as needing growth or correction so the candidate can become successful in being accepted into the program and/or ultimately graduating from our University.   

Levels of Review (Also found in Academic Catalog):   

Informal Review - with candidate and faculty member.  This is initiated by faculty members who have concerns regarding identified students meeting the University’s criteria or expectations.   

• Faculty members will discuss concerns directly with the candidate/student.   

• The Department Head or Dean will be advised of the informal review outcome.   

• Faculty members will supply written documentation of the informal review to be placed in the student/candidate’s file within 7 days of meeting with the candidate and a copy will be offered to the candidate.   

Level One – Formal Departmental Review    

Made with a candidate, faculty member and Dean of School of Education.  This is initiated when a faculty member has sufficient concerns to question a candidate's “fitness to teach” and has tried different avenues to provide solutions such as informal meetings.    

• An action plan will be discussed and developed, and a copy will be provided to all parties    

• Candidate is placed on probationary status until issues have been resolved.   

Level Two - Formal Departmental Review   

Made with two members from the Teacher Education Committee and Dean of School of Education.   If candidate fails to be successful with developed plan or creates additional continuing concerns then:    

• Subcommittee will review all documentation    

• Candidate and faculty members involved- interviewed individually    

• Recommendation made - regarding suitability of candidate continuing in the program    

• Sub-Committee will summarize its findings and make written recommendations forwarded to the full Teacher Education Council and Advisory Committee (UCC)    

Final Decision of Review Process:   

The Teacher Education Council will make a final decision regarding a candidate’s suitability and acceptance to continue in our Teacher Education program.   

APPEALS PROCESS    

An appeals process is available to candidates at any stage of the Teacher Education Program including being denied admission into any stage of our program. (entrance, clinical teaching, and certification)    

• This appeal must be done in writing and submitted to the Dean of the School of Education.   

• This will be reviewed by the Teacher Education Council or Teacher Education Faculty.   

• Final Decision will be sent in writing to student/candidate.    

• If a candidate wishes to appeal further, it needs to be done in writing and sent to the Vice President for Academic Success.   

• This decision is final.   

COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCE PROCESS   

Complaint Process TAC 228.70   

1. Purpose. Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff shall maintain a process through which a candidate or former candidate in an educator preparation program (EPP), an applicant for 143 TEACHER EDUCATION candidacy in an EPP, an employee or former employee of an EPP, a cooperating teacher, a mentor, or an administrator in a school district, charter school, or private school may submit, in accordance with subsection (c)(1) of this section, a complaint about an EPP for investigation and resolution.    

   

The School of Education policy is to provide an avenue for a candidate, employee, former employee, cooperating/mentor teacher, and school administrator to make an informal or formal complaint when deemed necessary. We encourage the resolution of complaints through timely communication at and near the point of origin in order to be addressed in a timely and effective manner.    

• If the complaint is concerning courses offered by the School of Education, direct your concerns to the professor directly responsible for teaching the course.    

• If the complaint is concerning the program/decisions offered by the School of Education direct concerns to the Dean of the School of Education.    

If the party is not satisfied with the outcome of this informal process, then a formal written complaint should be completed and submitted to the office of the Dean of the School of Education within a timely manner. This office will maintain a record of all formal written complaints linked to all Educator Preparation Program components from: applicants, employees, former employees, cooperating/mentor teachers, administrators of schools. NOTE: The form for this process can be obtained from our School of Education office and is located on our Teacher Education webpage.   

FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS  

1. Formal written complaint form – completed by complainant including clear description of the complaint, dates connected to cause for complaint, and description of desired outcome or solution.    

2. Formal Meeting - within 10 working days – from the written complaint being received, the Dean’s office or Department Chair will set up a meeting with all parties linked to the complaint. A copy of the form submitted by the complainant and outcome will be written and sent to the office of Academic Affairs AND party registering a complaint. Within three working days the Office of Academic Affairs will send written acknowledgement of receipt of complaint to the concerned party.    

3. If resolution has not been achieved: Vice President for Academic Affairs will: Try to come to an agreeable conclusion between all parties involved by meeting with them    

OR     

Assign a special committee or standing university committee to rule on related complaint – which if used, will present a ruling on the party's written complaint within 30 calendar days of receipt of the complaint form. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will inform in writing (or by email) of the final decision to the following: party filing the complaint, Dean of the School of Education, appropriate Department Chair, and Office of Student Affairs.    

   

If an issue cannot be resolved internally through our complaint process, one may file a complaint with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and/or the Texas Education Agency website at: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/contact-us/complaints-and-investigations   

TEA PROTOCOL:  

• The violation triggering the complaint cannot have occurred more than one year prior to the date that the complaint is received, unless a longer period is reasonable because the violation is considered systemic or ongoing.    

• A complaint is a written allegation that a school, school district, other agency authorized by a school district or the TEA, or the TEA itself has violated the law in the administration of education programs.    

• A complaint may be filed by an individual, organization or agency if that individual, organization or agency believes an offending entity is violating a federal statute or regulation that applies to an education program    

TEACHER EDUCATION TEC 21.044(g)    

The Texas Education Agency’s and our Teacher Education Program’s belief is that it is essential for students aspiring to become a certified teacher in a public-school setting to be fully aware and educated as much as possible about all facets of the teaching profession inside and outside the classroom setting to increase teacher retention rates for Texas. The following are a listing in compliance with this identified need and when they are shared with our student/candidates provided by our Certification Officer’s orientation session for admission into Teacher Education Program:   

• Educator Personal Skills and Expected Responsibilities    

• Current SBEC rules prescribed in TAC 249.16 relating to Eligibility of Persons with Criminal History   

• TExES testing over Time for our Educator Program    

• Classroom Discipline Strategies    

• Valuable Resources and Links for Educators    

• Supply and Demand for Teachers Orientation Session Handouts – Admission into Clinical Teaching    

• Teacher/Principal Appraisal System during Clinical Teaching    

EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF EDUCTION   

EXIT POLICY  

   

TEA requires all EPPs to have an exit policy for the dismissal of teacher candidates that is published, reviewed, and signed upon admittance to the program. This can be found in 19 TAC §228.20(h).    

   

Teacher candidates who are admitted into East Texas Baptist University’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP) are expected to act as professionals in their behavior as well as abilities. All teacher candidates who are recommended for certification in the state of Texas are expected to demonstrate that they are prepared to teach in their respective certification fields by completing all required university coursework, demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior, and adhere to professional standards and the Educators’ Code of Ethics.    

   

“Fitness to Teach” Expectations of Candidates    

A candidate is required to perform the following functions:    

A. Observation: A candidate must be able to accurately observe instruction and students to learn effective teaching strategies as well as gathering student data.    

B. Communication: A candidate must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using the English language. A candidate must also be able to read and comprehend written material.    

C. Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities: A candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, integrate, and apply information provided by professors, school district employees, and students.    

D. Behavioral and Social Attributes: A candidate must have the emotional and mental health required to fully use their intellectual abilities (using sound judgment and able to develop mature, appropriate, and effective relationships) with all stakeholders. A candidate must be able to function under stress and be able to be adaptive and flexible.    

E. Compliance and Application of Ethical Standards and Behavior: A candidate must demonstrate professionalism in all areas and perform in an ethical manner with all stakeholders.    

*A candidate with a disability who requests a reasonable accommodation must initiate a request by completing the Accommodating Request and Consent Form. The Disability Accommodations Committee of East Texas Baptist University will meet and consider the request and discuss the documentation provided.    

   

Reasons for DISMISSAL from ETBU educator preparation program (EPP) are as follows:    

-Candidates who are not meeting the requirements of the EPP (e.g., disciplinary reasons and/or academics), will begin the Departmental Student/Candidate Review Process. Upon completion of the process, the EPP will determine whether the candidate will be dismissed or continue in the program.    

-Candidates who are not successful in passing their required certification exams by the written deadline will be automatically dismissed from the EPP.    

-Candidates who are unable to show “fitness to teach” will be dismissed from the program and not receive recommendation for certification.     

-Candidates who are inactive and fail to communicate with EPP and/or advisor for one semester will not be able to return to the EPP and TEA will be notified.    

-Candidates who participate in any action deemed a violation of school district and/or campus policy during field-based experiences, clinical teaching, or internship.    

-Candidates who are dismissed from ETBU will automatically be dismissed from the EPP.      

*Dismissal from the EPP is determined by a committee composed of faculty members and Teacher Education Council (TEC).  Dismissal may occur at any time.  All decisions of dismissal can be appealed following University policies.    

Voluntarily withdrawal from the EPP:    

-A candidate who chooses to withdraw from the EPP must notify the certification officer by stating their intentions by written letter or ETBU Tigermail. A copy of the notification will be placed in the candidate’s department file.    

-If a candidate chooses to enroll in a different EPP, the receiving program will need to request a The Texas Education Agency (TEA) Candidate Transform Form to be completed by the ETBU certification officer. At that time, the certification officer will be required to inform the receiving program if the candidate was in good standing.    

-If a candidate withdraws from the university, that will translate to a withdrawal from the EPP.    

-If a candidate chooses to change their major to something outside of education, that will translate to withdrawal from the School of Education and the EPP.    

   

 

Applicants should meet the following minimum criteria for full admission to all graduate programs:

1. Hold an earned degree from a U.S college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency or one recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (Applicants with degrees from foreign universities will have to undergo a transcript equivalency evaluation.) 
2. Have a minimum cumulative overall grade point average of 2.75 or a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in their last 60 hours of undergraduate course work.
3. Students who have earned undergraduate degrees from foreign universities may be asked to submit evidence of a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).Exhibit good character, in the judgment of the University. East Texas Baptist University reserves the right to deny admission to any individual who has been convicted or adjudicated of a felony or a Class A (or equivalent) misdemeanor.
4. Exhibit good character, in the judgment of the University. East Texas Baptist University reserves the right to deny admission to any individual who has been convicted or adjudicated of a felony or a Class A (or equivalent) misdemeanor.
5. Be in agreement with the University’s mission.
6. Meet additional program requirements or criteria established by the applicant’s desired program or field of study.

Admitted students may request acceptance of transfer hours provided:

1. The student has achieved full University and program admission.
2. The hours are graduate hours in the desired graduate major or related discipline as determined by the program director and dean, and deemed equivalent to courses in the selected graduate program.
3. Grades earned are at least "B" or higher.
4. The student provides the program director complete information about the course including goals, requirements, and assessments.

Tuition and Fees for all Graduate Degrees (2026-27 Academic Year)

Tuition - Master's Degrees	$447 per credit hour
Tuition - On Campus Speech-Language Pathology Program	$675 per credit hour
Tuition - Doctor of Ministry	$2,320 block rate per semester
Tuition - Doctor of Philosophy	$3,480 block rate per semester
Student Fee	$330
Online Course Fee	$70 per online course
Graduation Fee	$75
Meal Plans	contact Student Engagement for details
Housing	contact Student Engagement for availability

 

Fees Specific for the Master of Education

Criminal Background Check:	$25, applies only to students who are seeking Teacher Certification
Certification Specialization Internship:	$150 per semester (2 semesters)
Certification Specialization Student Teaching:	$150 per semester (1 semester)

 

Fees Specific to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Criminal Background Check:	$25
CPC Examination:	$75

 

Fees Specific to the Master of Arts in Theological Studies & Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

Thesis Binding (optional):

$75

 

Fees Specific to the Master of Speech-Language Pathology

Criminal Background Check:	$25
SPLP 5351 Clinical Course Fee:	$400
SPLP 5352 Clinical Course Fee:	$400

 

Permission for enrollment in up to twelve credit hours may be granted to those holding prior baccalaureate degrees or to individuals who wish to take additional courses in study skills, developmental English, developmental mathematics, and the like.

Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for federal, state, or university financial aid, except for categories specifically designated through the Office of Financial Aid.

Apply Here

Graduate Restart Admission is offered to returning ETBU graduate students who did not maintain the academic requirements to stay enrolled in their initial attempt at graduate work. It allows students a fresh start to earn a degree in the original program or a different program. A Graduate Restart Application must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions and must be approved by the Program Director, Dean of the school to which the student is applying, and the Director of Graduate Admissions.

Graduate Restart Admission:
1. Student may only be admitted through the Graduate Restart Admission process one time during their graduate career at ETBU.
2. Student must wait 3 semesters (fall, spring, summer) after prior enrollment to enroll in courses.
3. Student may enroll in previous program or choose to enroll in a different program. If enrolled in the same program, previous credits may count but lower grades may need to be repeated to achieve required GPA. If enrolled in a new program, no previous coursework or credit may be used. Transcripts will show all courses and grades earned during the first attempt but they will not be calculated in the GPA of the Restart attempt, with the exception of courses used if enrolling in the same program.
4. If admitted through Graduate Restart Admission, student must enroll within 12 months of acceptance.
5. From the beginning of the Restart attempt, failure to maintain required GPA will result in permanent dismissal from the graduate program at ETBU with no appeal.
6. Upon Restart Admission, the student must meet all other requirements in effect under the current catalog at the time of readmission.
7. Student must submit Graduate Restart Application and any supporting documents requested by the office of Graduate Admissions. The application must be approved by the Program Director, Dean of the School to which the student is applying, and the Director of Graduate Admissions.

GRADUATE RESTART APPLICATION