Elementary Education (M.A./M.Ed.)

M.A./M.Ed. Elementary Education

The program offers advanced studies in curriculum, teaching and learning at the levels of early childhood through middle grades education.
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Program Overview

Texas State began as a normal school and has continued for over 100 years as a top school for educators. Texas State is the ideal choice for teachers seeking to improve their performance and for career changers looking for certification with a master's degree.

Course Work

For current certified teachers, the 30-credit-hour master of education (M.Ed.) in elementary education program requires students to complete elementary education course work and an approved minor area of study.

The 30-credit-hour master of arts (M.A.) degree requires students to complete elementary education course work, including a minor and a written thesis. The course work is geared for teachers with experience who are interested in a focus on research.

The certification with master of education degree (CMED) program combines initial teaching certification (EC-6 ESL or bilingual or 4-8 generalist, English
LA/RDG/SS, math, or science) with the M.Ed. degree.

Master's Degree Programs

  These programs do not offer initial teacher's certification in conjunction with the master's degree. If you are looking for a master's program that offers a teacher's certification plan in conjunction with the degree, please see below.

DegreeConcentrationHoursThesis OptionMinor Option
Degree
M.Ed.
Concentration
No concentration
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Minor required
Degree
M.A.
Concentration
No concentration
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Thesis
Minor Option
Minor required
Degree
M.Ed.
Concentration
Early Childhood Education
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Minor required
Degree
M.A.
Concentration
Early Childhood Education
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Thesis
Minor Option
Minor required
Degree
M.Ed.
Concentration
Talent Development
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Minor required
Degree
M.A.
Concentration
Talent Development
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Thesis
Minor Option
No minor

Master's Degree + Initial Teacher Certification (CMED) Programs

DegreeMaster's ProgramCertification ProgramHoursThesis OptionMinor Option
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 English Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 English Language Arts and Reading
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Science
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Social Studies
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Math
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Generalist
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
EC–6 Generalist Bilingual
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
EC–6 Generalist ESL
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education – Teacher Certification in Early Childhood through Grade Six ESL*
Certification Program
EC–6 Core Subjects ESL
Hours
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor

*Please note the deadlines and requirements for this program are different than what is listed for the Elementary Education program. Visit the Elementary Education – Teacher Certification in Early Childhood through Grade Six ESL to learn more.

Online Availability

Part of this program may be offered online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Distance and Extended Learning. International students, please visit the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) regarding additional considerations in taking online courses.

What Our Alumni Say

The knowledge and experiences I gained from the Talent Development program have been absolutely priceless. The faculty deepened my passion for teaching and learning and gave me all the confidence I needed to move forward as an educator.”

Kristen Freeman, M.ED. ‘15, reading specialist

Program Details

The community of students enrolled in the master's degree programs in elementary education at Texas State are passionate about teaching, learning and making a difference.

Program Mission

The graduate elementary education program at Texas State offers advanced studies in curriculum, teaching and learning for educators who are certified to teach at the levels of early childhood through middle grades (EC-8). Texas State also offers many concentrations that allow students to focus on a particular area of interest while interacting within a larger community of intellectual inquiry in education. Course work may be completed on the San Marcos Campus and Round Rock Campus.

Career Options

A master's in elementary education offers graduates options to teach in a variety of settings. Graduates are qualified to teach in their area of specialty and become grade level or content team leaders, mentor teachers, instructional coaches, or writers of textbooks. This degree also prepares graduates interested in working in academia to pursue a Ph.D. or work at the collegiate level.

Program Faculty

The faculty come from a variety of diverse backgrounds and have moved into teacher preparation. Faculty actively engage in research that is at the forefront of the changes and development in elementary education and publish and present locally, nationally and internationally in their fields.

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.

Graduate Advisor
(Grades EC-6)

Dr. Tim Kinard
timkinard@txstate.edu
512.245.6382
Education Building (ED), Room 3067B


Graduate Advisor
(Early Childhood Education)

Dr. Tim Kinard
timkinard@txstate.edu
512.245.6382
Education Building (ED), Room 3067B

Graduate Advisor
(Grades 4-8)

Dr. Gwynne Ash
gwynne@txstate.edu
512.245.8068
Education Building (ED), Room 3019


Graduate Advisor
(Talent Development)

Dr. Susan Waite
sw22@txstate.edu
512.245.3084
Education Building (ED), Room 3016

Graduate Advisor
(EC-6 Generalist Bilingual)
Dr. Charise Pimentel
cp26@txstate.edu
512.245.3678
Education Building (ED), Room 3014

students

Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?

Application Deadlines

DeadlinesU.S. CitizenInternational
Deadlines
Fall - Priority
U.S. Citizen
February 1
International
February 1
Deadlines
Fall - Standard
U.S. Citizen
June 15 (*Flexible)
International
June 1
Deadlines
Spring
U.S. Citizen
October 15 (*Flexible)
International
October 1
Deadlines
Summer I
U.S. Citizen
April 15 (*Flexible)
International
March 15
Deadlines
Summer II
U.S. Citizen
June 1 (*Flexible)
International
No Admission

*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.

Funding Information
Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding.

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.

  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $35 nonrefundable Texas Education Agency technology fee (if offered admission to the master's + certification program)
      and either
    • $55 nonrefundable application fee
      OR
    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

    • 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 a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
  • GRE

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    TOEFL Scores for all Certification Applicants

    Applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

    • official TOEFL iBT scores with minimum individual scores of
      • 22 listening
      • 22 reading
      • 24 speaking
      • 21 writing

    This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores for Non-Certification Applicants

    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.

  • M.A. and M.Ed. applicants applying to programs with no concentrations OR with concentrations in Early Childhood Education and CMED:

    • one-page statement of purpose on why you wish to teach 
    • three letters of recommendation 

    For M.A. and M.Ed. applicants applying to the Elementary Education program with a concentration in Talent Development: 

    • resume/CV, including contact information for two references who are familiar with your scholarly work and/or relevant work experience
    • statement of purpose (one to two double-spaced pages) that includes your rationale for pursuing graduate study in this particular program

    Review important information about documents.

What Our Alumni Say

“The knowledge and experiences I gained from the talent development program have been absolutely priceless. The faculty deepened my passion for teaching and learning and gave me all the confidence I needed to move forward as an educator.ˮ

— Kristen Freeman, M.Ed. ’15, Reading Specialist

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