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DEPARTMENT OF INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING AND TEACHING

Master of Arts Degree in Education

The course of study for the Master of Arts degree in Education consists of:

a. Core courses required of all Master of Arts in Education degree seeking students (12 semester credit hours)
b. Concentration courses (12 to 24 semester credit hours)
c. Support courses (0 to 12 semester credit hours)

A comprehensive examination is required.

Applicants for the Master of Arts Degree in Education may choose a thesis or nonthesis option.

Master of Arts Degree in Education — Curriculum and Instruction Concentration

The program emphases are focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of curriculum planning, development, implementation, and evaluation in all subject fields and at all educational levels. The concepts of curricular innovation and teaching excellence are stressed in conjunction with expanded knowledge of content fields and applied research. Students who want to specialize in a teaching field may do so by taking courses in that field to support the concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. Within this concentration, a student may specialize in the supervision of instruction, or an initial teacher’s certificate may be earned in specified areas of public school programs.

Curriculum and Instruction Concentration emphases:

Curriculum Specialist Teaching (MAECIT)

Master of Arts Degree in Education — Early Childhood and Elementary Education Concentration

This concentration is designed to allow professionals the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills for effective instruction and care, leadership, and advocacy in early childhood and elementary education in a diverse society. Emphasis is on integrating reflective practices with current research perspectives for practical applications. The focus is also on advancing the research and knowledge base in fields of early childhood and elementary education. The program is flexible within areas of emphasis that include early childhood leadership and advocacy, early literacies, family studies, and inclusive education.

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Master of Arts Degree in Education — Instructional Technology Concentration

The Instructional Technology concentration focuses on the uses and applications of technology in instructional environments. Emphasis is placed on the development, function, and utilization of a variety of technologies within educational settings. This concentration is designed for students seeking to expand their knowledge of instructional technology as well as those seeking leadership roles in this area. Courses required for this concentration are:

IST 5303 Technology in Curriculum and Instruction
IST 5703 Technology and Learning Cultures
IST 6353 Multimedia Production
IST 6503 Advanced Topics in Instructional Technology

Master of Arts Degree in Education — Literacy Education Concentration

This concentration is designed to provide theory, research, knowledge, and field experiences for students who plan to teach literacy. Reading and writing are presented as linguistic, cognitive, and sociocultural processes in relation to other language arts. Students select from three specialized areas of study: teaching focus, research focus, and Reading Specialist Certification. The teaching area is designed for teachers and offers flexibility to pursue an area of one’s own interest. The research area is designed for students who want to pursue research in literacy; students in this area typically pursue the thesis option. The reading specialist certification area leads to completion of requirements of the State Board for Educator Certification as a reading specialist. This area includes the five courses for Master Reading Teacher (MRT) endorsement.

Master of Arts Degree in Education — Special Education Concentration

The concentration in Special Education program is designed for those students seeking an opportunity for initial, additional, or advanced preparation for educating individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings. It is intended to offer students the opportunity for the acquisition of knowledge, competencies and understanding, through both classroom and clinical experience, to develop and apply skills for effective instructional practices in working with children and youth with disabilities. Applicants who hold a valid Texas teaching certificate may obtain a teaching certificate in special education as a part of their program of study. Students who wish to obtain post-baccalaureate certification in generic special education must complete 24 semester credit hours of specified coursework in special education in addition to foundational prerequisites in education. For non–certification-seeking students, the special education and related courses are selected in consultation with the student’s program adviser. These preparation programs will include practica. Graduates of the program often go on to or continue their careers serving children, youth and adults with intellectual, academic, social and behavioral disabilities as teachers, supervisors, administrators and researchers in public and private education and service agencies.

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