What is the admission procedure for Master's degree students?
Apply for admission as a degree-seeking student through the
Texas State Graduate
College
. You must have a 2.75 GPA or higher on the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework. Although most of your admissions materials should be sent to the Graduate College, you should submit the required Elementary Education written statement of purpose directly to Mrs. Carolyn McCall, Graduate Elementary Education Program Coordinator. Instructions for this essay are available for downloading from the Graduate Elementary Education home page. Prospective students also should attend an information session and obtain an information session handout.
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Do I have to take the GRE?
No, the GRE is not required for admission to a Master's degree program in Elementary Education at this time. If you do not meet the GPA requirement, however, you may want to submit a GRE score. The preferred minimum GRE score is 900.
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When can I begin graduate studies in Elementary Education?
For most of the majors in Elementary Education, students may begin taking classes during any long semester (fall or spring) or during the summer. During the fall and spring semesters, most of the graduate courses are offered at night, to accomodate the schedules of both certified teachers and prospective teachers who are working during the day. During the summer, more graduate courses are offered during the day than at night.
Special cohort programs, such as Teacher Fellows and TRP, have specific entry points during the year and particular application procedures. These two programs have their own websites within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Teacher education students in Elementary Education are assessed in a variety of ways from the beginning to the end of their programs of study. Students are expected to possess certain knowledge, abilities, dispositions, and character appropriate for the teaching profession. The Fitness to Teach form is one of the assessment instruments used by the faculty of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
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How much does the program cost?
You should see the Graduate College and the Texas State home page sites for current tuition and fee schedules.
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What is a "field experience"?
In the Certification with Master of Education Degree (CMED) program, students must complete specific teaching and observation tasks for a minimum of 35 documented hours in a school setting. CMED students will need to complete these requirements on their own, outside of scheduled course time. Information about CMED field requirements will be discussed in specific CMED courses. A criminal background check will be required for participation in field experiences and student teaching. For more information about field experiences related to initial teaching certification, see Field Experiences.
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Do I have to student teach in a CMED program?
Yes. Student teaching (the culminating experience for certification) will be done for one semester at the end of your program, after you have completed all coursework for your Master's degree. If you have prior teaching experience, you may be eligible for an internship. Any internships, however, must be approved by the Director of Field Experiences. When you begin your student teaching, you will receive a Student Teaching Handbook with details, expectations, and requirements.
If you are in the CMED program, student teaching will be listed on your certification "deficiency plan." Keep in mind that your Master's degree plan will share many of the same courses that are on your certification plan, but it will be slightly different.
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Is student teaching paid?
No, student teaching is not a paid experience.
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