Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.

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Mission Statement: The Curriculum and Instruction program at West College of Education is committed to faculty and student participation in scholarly discourse on all issues related to teaching and learning and to exploring the relationship between theory and practice in a variety of educational contexts. The faculty value life-long learning, community, collaboration, diversity, inquiry, and reflection.

Toward this end, we are committed to enhancing the ability of professional educators to meet the needs of a changing society by providing an innovative, logically organized program of educational experiences that are framed by a coherent core of research and foundational knowledge and that model exemplary teaching strategies grounded in inquiry and reflective practice. The faculty are also committed to active engagement in scholarship, service, and outreach while seeking opportunities to examine and integrate diverse educational perspectives through university, community, and statewide collaboration.

The Master of Education degree with a major in curriculum and instruction is designed to develop professional skills and knowledge. The graduate program requires 36 semester hours and is a non-thesis program. Candidates are required to conduct an action research project and to write a formal report of that research to be approved by their graduate committee.

Comprehensive Written Examination: All candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive written examination. Candidates become eligible to take the comprehensive written examination when they have completed all required course work successfully or during the semester in which they will complete their course work (with the approval of the student’s graduate committee). Candidates must complete the examination in the manner, on the date, and at the place specified by the college. Comprehensive written examinations will be offered each April, August, and November. Candidates have two attempts to successfully complete the comprehensive written exam.

The comprehensive written examination consists of 4 (essay) questions supplied by the candidate’s graduate committee. These questions are drawn from the essential content of the candidate’s degree program. Candidates are allowed 4 hours to complete the examination. Exams will be reviewed by the candidate’s graduate committee and marked as either pass or fail. In the event of a failed exam, the candidate will receive detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement from the graduate committee.

Major: Curriculum and Instruction - 18 hours

Note:

*Basic computer application skills and permission of instructor required.

Option I

Resource Area:

6 hours of electives that provide support for teaching as approved by the program coordinator.

Minor*:

12 graduate hours from: Biology, Early Childhood Education, Instructional Design & Technology, History, Language and Literacy Studies, Mathematics, Political Science, or Teacher Leadership.

Option II

Minor*:

18 graduate hours as prescribed by the Bilingual Education program, or in a field related to the public schools: Biology, English, History, Mathematics, and Political Science.

Option III

Minor: Intervention Assistance

18 graduate hours:

Note:

*See Graduate Minors section for prescribed courses.

Graduate Initial Teacher Certification

The Master of Education degree with a major in curriculum and instruction and an emphasis in secondary education is designed to build professional skills and knowledge for the secondary classroom teacher. The Graduate Initial Teacher Certification is designed for persons who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. All candidates must meet University and West College of Education admission standards.

Admission to the Teacher Certification Program:

The Teacher Education Committee expects all teacher education students to be above average scholars; therefore, to be considered for admission to the Teacher Certification Program, the applicant must have:

an application on file (forms available in Education Office);
three letters of recommendation (forms available in Education Office);
satisfactory scores on the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), or equivalent, in reading, writing, and mathematics;
a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75, or at least a 2.75 gpa on last 60 hours taken; and
a grade point of 2.5 in freshman English (excluding any developmental courses) with a minimum of 6 hours completed at the time of admission.

A person who plans to pursue a master’s degree must be admitted as a graduate degree seeking student by the completion of their 9 graduate hours.

Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.

Major: Curriculum and Instruction - 18 hours

Note:

Option I

Resource Area:

Minor*:

Option II

Minor*:

Option III

Minor: Intervention Assistance

Note:

Graduate Initial Teacher Certification

Admission to the Teacher Certification Program:

Course Requirements for Initial Teacher Certification:

Additional courses required for M.Ed.:

3 hours technology from:

3 hours resource elective as approved by advisor