Developmental Education (M.A.)
M.A. Developmental Education (Master's)
Program Overview
The program allows students to research with nationally and internationally recognized, award-winning faculty in beautiful Central Texas. Students learn to think critically about theory, research and practice in multiple areas of college readiness and developmental education, including developmental literacy, learning support and developmental mathematics.
Course Work
A common core of courses within the 36-hour degree provides a broad-based understanding of the field. Students will select an area of concentration based on their goals and career expectations:
- learning support: prepares students to lead instruction and academic support programs for postsecondary students seeking academic assistance in an array of disciplines
- literacy (reading and writing): prepares students with theoretical and practical literacy knowledge and skills to be successful teachers
- developmental mathematics: prepares students with theoretical and practical mathematical knowledge and skills to be successful teachers
| Degree | Concentration | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.A. | Concentration Developmental Mathematics | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.A. | Concentration Learning Support | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.A. | Concentration Literacy | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Program Details
The master’s program in developmental education prepares future educators, leaders, program developers and administrators to enhance the learning and educational experiences of postsecondary students in various contexts.
Program Mission
Housed within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the program prepares scholars, researchers, leaders, administrators, instructors and practitioners to work in developmental education programs in two- and four-year colleges and universities. As a multidisciplinary program, the faculty, staff and students work collaboratively across various academic disciplines, diverse communities and geographic boundaries. Both rigorous and supportive, the program advances theory, research and practice in multiple areas of developmental education - including literacy, learning support and developmental mathematics - by actively engaging students in teaching, scholarship and professional service.
Career Options
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers at two- and four-year colleges and universities in the following areas:
- learning assistance centers and tutorial programs
- developmental instruction programs in writing, mathematics, reading and learning strategy development
- pre-college-to-college transition programs, such as the federal TRIO programs, which include Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services
- non-governmental programs
Program Faculty
Faculty research interests include:
- theoretical and applied issues of student motivation, emotion, learning strategies and self-regulation
- integrated reading and writing theory and practice, and co-requisite curricular structures in postsecondary education
- postsecondary student success courses, intervention for students with learning disabilities and demographic changes in higher education
- college transitional readers' deliberate and non-deliberate responses to texts and conceptualizations of literacy
- the impact of professional development on instruction in the adult student transition to postsecondary literacy
- educational equity for youth and the intersections of formal and informal cultures in education
- strategic learning and motivation in postsecondary science and mathematics
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.
Doctoral Program Director
Dr. Taylor Acee
ta19@txstate.edu
512.245.7903
Academic Services Building North (ASBN), Room 401C
Advisor Support
Dena Guerrero
d_g322@txstate.edu
512.245.6839
Academic Services Building North (ASBN), Room 401
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines Fall - Priority | U.S. Citizen February 1 | International February 1 |
Deadlines Fall - Standard | U.S. Citizen June 15 | International June 1 |
Deadlines Spring | U.S. Citizen October 15 | International October 1 |
Deadlines Summer I - Priority | U.S. Citizen February 1 | International February 1 |
Deadlines Summer I - Standard | U.S. Citizen April 15 | International March 15 |
Deadlines Summer II - Priority | U.S. Citizen February 1 | International No Admission |
Deadlines Summer II - Standard | U.S. Citizen April 15 | International No Admission |
This program's deadline is firm. This type of deadline means the application and other application requirements must be submitted by the program's specified deadline day.
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 Nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 Nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
Effective Fall 2024
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 2.75 overall GPA or 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
- statement of purpose (approximately 500 words) describing your background and professional goals, including your rationale for pursuing the chosen professional degree program, how your goals tie into the mission of the graduate program, and your philosophy of teaching and learning
- three letters of recommendation from individuals who know you as a student or as a professional
Review important information about documents.