Secondary Education
Since its inception in 1899 as a teachers college, Texas State University has continuously prepared educators who will bring about positive change in schools. The program’s most famous graduate was Lyndon Baines Johnson, who taught speech in a public school in Texas before becoming president of the United States. The program continues to develop teacher-leaders who will make significant contributions in schools and other educational settings.
The elementary education programs develop teacher leaders who will make significant contributions in schools and other educational settings.
Our master’s programs with an emphasis on talent development are unique in the nation. Students are exposed to ways that open talent development and creativity beyond dominant perspectives and historical categories and places. Students are able to enhance their teaching, creative practices, and engagement with the world.
Students in talent development studies enhance their creative practices, their skillful and responsive actions, and their engagement with the world.
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:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Jeffry King
jtk32@txstate.edu
512.245.6647
Education Building (ED), Room 2124
Graduate Advisor (Talent Development)
Dr. Susan Waite
sw22@txstate.edu
512.245.3084
Education Building (ED), Room 3016
“The secondary education program has made a big impact on my career. The professors have helped me to grow professionally and have ensured that I am on the right path to become a successful educator. I now feel completely ready to meet all my future students’ diverse needs.”
— Jennifer Morrison, M.Ed. ’16
“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
Course Work
The master of education (M.Ed.) in secondary education offers a variety of degree plans that include courses in secondary education and a closely related minor.
Students can pursue concentrations in dual-credit courses, educational technology, or talent development. Courses are offered in face-to-face and online formats.
The master of arts (M.A.) in secondary education requires courses in secondary education, a cognate, and a thesis. This degree is recommended for students wishing to pursue doctoral studies.
Talent Development Concentration: Students engage in course work that relates both to their professional contexts with children or adults and to their own lives. Students think critically and imaginatively about educational practices, policies, and trends, as they work with others who also are concerned with educational equity and new possibilities.
Texas State offers an M.A. degree and M.Ed. degree in secondary education with a concentration in talent development. The non-thesis, 36-credit-hour M.Ed. programs include a minor of nine or more hours.
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.
| Degree | Concentration | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
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| M.A. | No concentration | 30 | Thesis | Minor required |
| M.Ed. | No concentration | 36 | Non-Thesis | Minor required |
| M.Ed. | Educational Technology | 39 | Non-Thesis | Minor required |
| M.A. | Talent Development | 30 | Thesis | No minor |
| M.Ed. | Talent Development | 36 | Non-Thesis | Minor required |
| M.Ed. | Teaching Dual Credit Courses | 36 | Non-Thesis | 18-hour cognate required |
| Degree | Master's Program | Certification Program | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. | Secondary Education | Student-selected | 36 | Non-Thesis | Minor required |
| M.Ed. | Secondary Education – Teacher Recruitment Program* | Student-selected | 36 | Non-Thesis | Composite – Secondary Education TRP Required |
*Please note the deadlines and requirements for this program are different than what is listed for the Secondary Education program. Visit the Secondary Education – Teacher Recruitment Program page to learn more.
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Eligibility Requirements for Teacher Certification |
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Certification Plan Information |
| Online Availability The majority 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 International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) regarding additional considerations in taking online courses. |
The department offers paid assistantships, which give students opportunities to help professors conduct research or teach classes while earning a salary.
Make a life, not just a living, with talent development studies.
Program Mission
The mission of the graduate secondary education program is to prepare culturally responsive educators at an advanced level to meet the challenges of the 21st century by:
- enhancing instructional, leadership, inquiry, and collaborative expertise
- expanding knowledge, understanding, and application of current research
- using technology to make advancements in the teaching-learning process
Through school, community, and professional partnerships, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction advances scholarship and pedagogy that influence educational practice and policy. Faculty and graduate students in the talent development concentration:
- encourage the creative actions of youth, adults, and communities
- support the development of skillful practice and of responsive and responsible actions
- increase equity in education
- enhance well-being and engagement
Related Programs
Program Faculty
Graduate secondary education faculty are nationally recognized leaders and scholars in education. Through their peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences, grant writing and awards, and service as officers and board members of professional associations, they bring a wealth of academic and professional experience to the program.
The talent development faculty are passionate about both their teaching and research. Students benefit directly as faculty integrate their cutting-edge research into their courses. Faculty also are experienced teachers, with a variety of practical teaching experiences in P-12 schools, universities, and communities, with students across the life span. Small class sizes in the talent development concentration allow opportunities for students to receive individual attention from caring and supportive faculty.
Career Options
The program is designed for all students to improve their practice and grow professionally. By completing the degree, some earn their initial teaching certification while others use the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions to serve as campus leaders in curriculum and instruction. Still, other graduates teach in community colleges or pursue a doctoral degree in education.
Talent development graduates pursue careers in school settings and in nontraditional educational settings. The knowledge, skills, and creativity developed through the program may be applied in a wide variety of careers. Graduates include classroom teachers, district curriculum specialists, campus instructional coaches, reading specialists, athletic coaches, university instructors, and self-employed artists and web designers. Some students have completed Ph.D. degrees after graduation.
Application Process
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Application Deadline This program has a flexible deadline, which means applications received after the posted deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantees for admission consideration. |
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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. |
Application 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.
Application Fee(s)
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA for M.A. Non-Concentration applicants
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.4 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Transcripts & GPA for Talent Development Concentration applicants
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- 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)
Transcripts & GPA for M.Ed. applicants (except Talent Development)
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- 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.
GRE Scores
- GRE not required
Documents
M.A. Non-Concentration applicants only
- Statement of purpose (one page) identifying and describing your research interests. Your statement of purpose should answer the question:
- What has motivated you to enter the teacher profession, become a dual-credit teacher, and/or want to earn your M.A.?
Talent Development Concentration Applicants
*Effective Spring 2023
- 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
M.Ed. applicants (except Talent Development)
*Effective Spring 2023
- Statement of purpose (one page) that answers the question:
- What has motivated you to enter the teacher profession, become a dual-credit teacher, and/or want to earn your M.Ed.?
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL Scores for CMED 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
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores for non-CMED applicants
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS 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 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
These programs do not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.