Elementary Education (Teacher Certification in Early Childhood through Grade Six ESL) (M.Ed.)
M.Ed. Elementary Edu. (Teacher Cert. EC-Grade 6 ESL)
Program Overview
Texas State began as a normal school and has continued for over 100 years as a top school for educators. We are the ideal choice for teachers seeking to improve their performance and for career changers looking for certification with a master's degree.
Our array of innovative M.A. and M.Ed. programs offer a unique and much needed emphasis on fostering various kinds of human flourishing in schools and communities. Our students learn to recognize and foster the talents, creativity, diverse thinking, and well-being of students, educators, and communities through culturally sustaining and asset-based curriculum and pedagogy.
Students engage in critical inquiry, grow their teaching, and develop transformative practices. We work together toward educational equity and excellence and a more just world. Our graduates say that these programs not only made them better educators but also expanded their thinking about themselves, education, and the world - often in ways that enhanced their consideration of their next steps.
Course Work
The master of education (M.Ed.) in elementary education (teacher certification in early childhood through grade six ESL) is a full-certification program including 18 hours of graduate-level, initial teacher certification course work. Following completion of the initial 18-hour teacher certification, students are eligible to apply for state teacher certification. Once certified, they are eligible to work as teachers while they complete their degrees in the evenings, online, or summers at either campus.
| Degree | Certification Program | Hours | Thesis Option | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.Ed. | Certification Program EC-6 Core Subjects ESL | Hours 30 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Location San Marcos |
For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.
Program Details
Students enter the program from a variety of fields, such as IT or event management, yet transition well to classroom teachers, directors and other roles in educational leadership.
Program Mission
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction develops education professionals who are knowledgeable and skilled leaders in their fields, who are ethical and caring in their actions, and who appreciate the rich diversity that defines our school and social contexts. Through university, school, community, and professional partnerships, we advance scholarship and pedagogy that influence education practice and policy.
Career Options
Those completing this program will be qualified to teach in public or private early childhood through 6th grade educational settings. 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
Faculty have primarily focused their research on teacher preparation and development, teacher induction and mentoring, and learning in field-based settings. They have made national and international presentations on these topics at the Association of Teacher Educators and the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education conferences. Their work has been published in journals such as the Journal of Teacher Education, Action in Teacher Education and Ed Leadership.
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.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard March 1 March 1 Spring September 1 September 1 -
Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard August 1 June 1 Spring - Priority September 1 September 1 Spring - Standard November 1 October 1
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.
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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
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.
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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.
- 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.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
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.
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Documents
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose
- three forms of recommendation
Review important information about documents.