DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

The graduate programs in Curriculum and Instruction are designed to accomplish the following basic purposes: to improve and extend the professional competence of early childhood, middle, and secondary teachers; to prepare teachers for special positions in the schools; and to prepare students for doctoral work in university graduate programs. Students seeking a Master of Education in Elementary Education* or a Master of Education in Secondary Education* will receive an individually designed plan that best suits their interest and needs. Individualized degree plans may also be designed for persons interested in a master’s degree but not holding nor seeking teacher certifi cation.

Students seeking a Master of Arts in Elementary Education or a Master of Arts in Secondary Master/Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction* will take thesis hours while completing the thesis at the end of the master’s degree. The thesis hours will replace hours within the degree electives. The remainder of the program will be individualized.

Students seeking original certifi cation may also pursue a Master of Education in Elementary Education or a Master of Education in Secondary /*Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. For students seeking teacher certifi cation as part of the master’s degree, the core will be the 24- hour certifi cation requirement.

A comprehensive examination covering course work in education and the major and minor fi eld must be passed prior to graduation in all graduate degrees in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Students must be enrolled during the semester in which they take their comprehensive exam.

* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, this degree will become a Master of Education/Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Student applications for admission to the graduate programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction are assessed holistically by a faculty committee on multiple criteria. To be considered, students should submit:

1. An undergraduate degree from an accredited academic institution
2. An acceptable undergraduate grade point average
3. An acceptable score on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination
4. Score on the GRE writing section
5. A letter of recommendation referencing the applicant’s potential as a teacher leader

Students who have not yet completed their admission fi le (i.e. have not taken the GRE) may be approved for enrollment for one semester by the academic advisor. Students who do not meet the requirements for regular admission may be granted probationary admission for enrollment in coursework for one semester.

For students who have teacher certifi cation, an advisor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction will assist the student in developing an individual plan consistent with the student’s interests and needs.

This plan offers the following options that can be tailored to fi t the student’s needs. The student will design a program with the 12 core hours and the remaining 24 hours taken from a combination of additional Curriculum and Instruction courses and/or courses selected from another area(s) of interest. The major and minor hours may be taken in education or any teaching or interest fi eld. Individual plans would have the following possible options:

* Degree title/course prefix change subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

* Degree title/course prefi x change subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Students who are seeking initial certifi cation as a part of a masters program will also be able to create an individualized plan. This plan has a required 24-hr core of certifi cation courses. The 12 hour minor may be taken in education or any teaching or interest fi eld. Individual plans would have the following possible options:

* Degree title/course prefi x change subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

* Degree title/course prefi x change subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Master of Arts (Thesis Option) This degree plan is designed for individuals who wish to write a thesis as part of the requirements for the Master of Education in Elementary Education* or a Master of Education in Secondary Education*. The thesis courses will replace any two elective courses selected by the student. A comprehensive examination is required during the fi nal semester of course work. Students must be enrolled during the semester the comprehensive examination is taken.

* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, this degree will become a Master of Education/Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction.

* Degree title/course prefi x change subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

* Degree title/course prefix change subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.