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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:

  1. Core courses required of all Master of Arts in Education degree-seeking students (12 semester credit hours):

    C&I 5003 Theory and Dynamics of Curriculum and Instruction
    EDP 5003 Psychological Learning Theories
    EDU 5003 Research Methods
    EDU 5103 Contemporary Educational Philosophy


  2. Concentration courses (12 to 24 semester credit hours).

  3. Support courses (0 to 12 semester credit hours).

  4. A comprehensive examination is required.

Applicants for the Master of Arts Degree in Education may choose a thesis option or nonthesis option. A minimum of 36 semester hours are required in the nonthesis option. A minimum of 33 semester hours are required in the thesis option.

Master of Arts Degree in Education – Curriculum and Instruction Concentration

The program emphasizes 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. The program is flexible, but C&I 5013 Classroom Instruction and Evaluation is required of all students and is an orientation course. One option for students who wish to certify with the Masters program is MAECIT, which requires special admission and a specific plan. Please see graduate advisor regarding teaching option.

Curriculum and Instruction Concentration emphases:
Curriculum Specialist
Teaching (MAECIT; by admission only, separate from degree admission)
Science Education
Teacher Leadership

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 child development, early childhood leadership and advocacy, early literacies, family studies, inclusive education and teaching. Teaching emphasis is for individuals seeking teacher certification. Please see graduate advisor regarding teaching option.

Master of Arts Degree in Education – Instructional Technology Concentration

The Instructional Technology concentration focuses on the uses and applications of technology in EC-20 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 5003 Foundations of Instructional Technology
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. An emphasis in teaching is available for students who wish to obtain postbaccalaureate certification in generic special education; students must complete 24 semester credit hours of specified coursework in special education in addition to foundational prerequisites in education. Please see graduate advisor regarding teaching option. For noncertification-seeking students, the special education and related courses must be approved by the student’s program advisor prior to enrolling in courses. 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.

Required courses for this concentration (12 semester credit hours):

SPE 5403 Exceptional Children and Youth in the Schools
SPE 5503 Applied Behavior Analysis for Classroom Teachers and Counselors
SPE 5613 Legal Issues in Special Education
SPE 5623 Seminar on Current and Critical Issues in Special Education

Approved support courses for students studying high incidence disabilities (12 semester credit hours):

SPE 5433 Children and Youth with Behavior Disorders
or
SPE 5453 Children and Youth with Learning Disabilities

SPE 5513 Curriculum and Instructional Applications for Children and Youth in Special Education
SPE 5533 Assessment and Evaluation of Children and Youth with Disabilities
SPE 5633 Instruction and Educational Interventions for Individuals with High Incidence Disabilities

Approved support courses for students studying low incidence disabilities (12 hours):

SPE 5413 Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities
or
SPE 5463 Educating Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

SPE 5523 Language Development and Cognitive Intervention for Individuals with Disabilities
SPE 5533 Assessment and Evaluation of Children and Youth with Disabilities
SPE 5643 Instruction and Educational Interventions for Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities

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