Elementary Education (4-8 Certifications) (M.Ed.)

M.Ed. Elementary Education (4-8 Certifications)

Program combines an M.Ed. and an initial 4-8 teaching certification in English Language Arts/Reading, Social Studies, ELAR/SS, Math, Science, or Core Subjects.
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Program Overview

Texas State University began as a normal school—a post-secondary institution for training teachers for the classroom—and has continued for 125 years as a top school for educators. Texas State is the ideal choice for career changers looking for certification with a master's degree that is convenient for adults, whether full-time students or still working full time.

Course Work

Our innovative M.Ed. programs (with teacher certification or C.M.Ed. CMED) offer the pedagogical content knowledge needed to teach young adolescents effectively in a developmentally appropriate manner.  Initial certification is available in seven areas: English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR), Social Studies (SS), ELAR/SS, Math, Science, Math/Science, or Core Subjects (ELAR/SS/Science/Math).  Applicants should select a certification area where they have previous university coursework (usually a minimum of 15 hours for Math and Science and/or 12 for ELAR and SS).  The Office of Educator Preparation (OEP) will review your transcripts during the application process and provide feedback about certification qualifications.

All students take 12 core hours in middle school philosophy, supporting students with special education needs, language acquisition for students who are native speakers of a language other than English, and general teaching and assessment strategies.  The remaining 18 hours focus on teaching and learning in your chosen pedagogical content area(s).  An additional 6-12 hours in clinical teaching (EDST) are required through the Office of Educator Preparation, following the completion of degree coursework. Clinical teaching is full time, for the required school day.

New students may start their coursework in any semester. We offer all courses in the evenings and most classes are available online, in order to make study convenient for working professionals and parents. Courses are also available in the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters.

Master's Degree + 4-8 Initial Teacher Certification (CMED) Programs

DegreeMaster's ProgramCertification ProgramHours*Thesis OptionMinor OptionLocation
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
Location
San Marcos
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
Location
San Marcos
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Core Subjects
Hours*
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Location
San Marcos
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Math
Hours*
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Location
San Marcos
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Science
Hours*
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Location
San Marcos
Degree
M.Ed.
Master's Program
Elementary Education
Certification Program
4–8 Social Studies
Hours*
30
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Location
San Marcos

* In addition to the hours required for the degree, students must complete 6-12 hours of clinical teaching (EDST) through the Office of Educator Preparation (OEP) after they complete their coursework for their certification and degree (6 hours for traditional student teaching, 12 hours for a yearlong, paid teaching internship).  

What Our Alumni Say

“The program equipped me with the knowledge and aptitude to succeed as an educator, but the faculty's support, encouragement, and infectious passion for teaching were true gifts.”

— Angela Griffith, M.Ed., ’24 (4-8 Core Subjects), 7th Grade Math Teacher

Program Details

Program Mission

Our innovative 4-8 C. M.Ed. programs (M. Ed. with teacher certification, C.M.Ed./CMED) offer the pedagogical content knowledge needed to teach young adolescents effectively in a developmentally appropriate manner.  Texas State also offers many 4-8 content concentrations (English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR), Social Studies (SS), ELAR/SS, Math, Science, and Core Subjects) that allow students to focus on a particular area of interest while interacting within a larger community of intellectual inquiry in education. Most coursework is offered online in a synchronous format, in the evenings; however, some in-person coursework may be completed on the San Marcos or Round Rock Campuses.

Career Options

A master's in 4-8 elementary education offers graduates options to teach in a variety of settings (elementary, intermediate, or middle schools in grades 4-8). Graduates are qualified to teach in their area(s) of concentration,  and may also become grade level/content team leaders, mentor teachers, or instructional coaches.  This degree also prepares graduates interested in working in district administration to pursue an Ed.D.  or those interested in academia to pursue a Ph.D.

Program Faculty

The faculty in the 4-8 program come from a variety of diverse backgrounds. Most instructors are former 4-8 classroom teachers who have earned advanced degrees and have become full-time faculty at Texas State University.  In addition to teaching, faculty actively engage in research and publish and present locally, nationally and internationally in their fields.

Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.

Graduate Advisor
(Grades 4-8)
Dr. Gwynne Ash
gwynne@txstate.edu
512.245.8068
Education Building (ED), Room 3019

students

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Application Process

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.

**This program requires completion of field-based observation hours and a clinical training course within the state of Texas. If you intend to enroll in this program from outside of Texas, you must be able to make arrangements to travel to Texas for a minimum of two semesters to complete this degree. Additionally, the mostly online nature of the program does not meet F/J Visa requirements. If you are unable to reside in the state of Texas without an F/J Visa, we recommend that you do not apply for this course as you will not be able to graduate.

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.

Expand FAQ List

  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 nonrefundable application fee 

    OR

    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    AND (for both categories above)

    • $35 nonrefundable Texas Education Agency technology fee (paid to the Office of Educator Preparation (OEP), AFTER admission to the master's + certification program)
    • $75 non-refundable Certification Plan fee (paid to the OEP, AFTER admission to the master's + certification program)
    • Other costs will be required when you begin clinical experiences in the schools (fingerprinting/background checks, TEA certification examinations, etc.).
    • Please review the education webpage for other fees to be paid to OEP, the Texas Education Agency, and others throughout the program 

    There are additional fees associated with certification programs to be paid after admission. Review important information about the additional fees to be paid.
     

    • 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)

    Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

  • GRE

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    TOEFL Scores*

    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 or one of the exempt countries found on the TEA standards and Texas State University standards.

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

    *Exceptions are made for students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education in India. These students must meet the following requirements:

    • 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
    • Review important information about official test scores.
    • This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

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

    Review important information about official test scores.

    • one-page statement of purpose on why you wish to teach grades 4-8
    • three letters of recommendation, preferably from current/former professors, teachers, supervisors, or employers 

    Review important information about documents.

Additional Information

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