The Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction degree, (Initial) Teacher Certification, is a track designed for post-baccalaureate students interested in earning a teaching certificate along with a Curriculum & Instruction master’s degree. This program prepares future K-12 educators with a thorough background in classroom research and pedagogical content with courses that are infused with instructional technology, address real-life instructional challenges, and apply evidence-based instruction. This degree is 36 credits.
Students will gain the professional development needed to understand learner characteristics, identify materials that enhance inquiry and critical thinking, incorporate the latest technologies in teaching and learning, and design assessments using the instructional design process. The specific Student Learning Outcomes of the M.Ed. program for candidates are:
- Understand the nature of classroom inquiry, develop inquiry skills, and use inquiry processes in teaching and learning in the math and science content area subjects.
- Access scholarly databases and gain pedagogical content knowledge through reading and reviewing researched publications.
- Deepen pedagogical content knowledge of math and science through inquiry-based processes.
- Construct understanding of K-12 student learning and effective instructional practices to engage K-12 students in active learning.
- Address Texas state standards when selecting and developing high-quality teaching and learning experiences for K-12 students.
- Use technology in in elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms.
- Design and implement classroom research projects to address problem areas in teaching and student learning of math and science.
Program Coordinator: Dr. Micheal Kessner-McShane, Dal 1, Room 257, Email: Micheal.kessner-mcshane@untdallas.edu
Admission Standards
Applicants must have at least 3.0 GPA on the last 60 undergraduate semester hours of work prior to receiving the bachelor’s degree, or a 2.8 GPA on all undergraduate work, to be considered for unconditional admission to graduate studies at UNT Dallas. Applicants who have already completed a master’s degree must have at least a 3.4 GPA on the master’s degree.
(Conditional admission may be granted to students who do not meet the above criteria; however, no student with an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or lower will be admitted.)
Admission Procedures
Submit the following requirements for UNT Dallas Graduate Admissions:
Submit the following requirements for program admission:
- Admission essays
- Two letters of reference
- An interview may be required. If so, the applicant will be notified.
Degree Requirements
To complete the master’s degree, candidates would have to complete the following courses.
Certification Requirements
This degree program prepares baccalaureate graduates from related fields of study with the knowledge and skills to effectively teach in PK-12 urban and rural settings. The program allows for initial certification choices among a variety of elementary, middle school and secondary concentrations: EC-6 Core Subjects, 4-8 Math, 4-8 Science, 4-8 Social Studies, 4-8 Reading/Language Arts, or Grades 7-12 in any content area. All 36 credits of the master’s degree are completed at the graduate level. Students must complete the core courses for the master’s degree plus one pedagogical content area. The following requirements are applicable to all students pursuing a teaching certificate:
Admission to the Graduate Teacher Education Program:
- Possess a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
- Have a 2.80 overall, undergraduate GPA
- Pass the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) if minimum content credits not met with undergraduate degree
- Have a degree plan on file
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Submit Admission Essays
- Acknowledge Educator Code of Ethics
Eligibility for Teacher Certification and Endorsements:
In order to receive recommendation for teacher certification through UNT Dallas, students must:
- Be admitted to Graduate Teacher Education Program
- Complete 45 clock hours of observation (included in course requirements)
- Apply for TEAL login and TEA number
- Submit fingerprinting application and fee to Texas Education Agency (TEA)
- Pass federal background check
- Successfully complete program including all pedagogical courses and Clinical (Student) Teaching or Internship
- Pass applicable state certification exams - content (PACT) and pedagogy (PPR)
- Submit certification application and fee to the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
- Be recommended by UNT Dallas School of Education for certification
Core, 18 hours
All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted.
Major, 3 hours
All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted.
Fieldwork, 6 hours
Research, 9 hours
Note: See the UNT Dallas Teacher Certification Officer (Dallas 1, Room 201Q) for more information.