In the Master of Education program at SMU Simmons, students become licensed teachers or advance their careers in education.

Graduate programs

Master of Education

Are you ready to make a difference in the classroom and beyond?

Request Info

Apply

Program format

In-person and online

Commitment

Full time or part time

Duration

Two-plus years

Overview

Our 36–credit hour Master of Education program is designed for educators with a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate eager to deepen their expertise and make a lasting impact in the classroom and beyond. Within the Department of Teaching & Learning, this flexible two-year program that delivers many of its classes in a hybrid format is grounded in research-based practices and celebrates student diversity and the importance of teaching contexts.

Through our two required core courses, we will equip you to apply educational research effectively and address the diverse needs of your students. By customizing the rest of your degree plan, you can focus on a combination of areas of interest that align with the complex context in which you work, helping you become an expert teacher or a curriculum and instruction leader in various contexts.

SMU’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) with Teacher Preparation Program is tailor-made for the individual who would like to teach and already has a bachelor’s degree but who does not have the appropriate certification credentials. This program allows students to pursue a graduate degree while completing requirements toward teacher certification. The program can be an excellent choice for someone who is interested in making a career change to teaching young people.

The Master of Education with Teacher Preparation Program allows the individual with a baccalaureate degree to earn a master’s degree while completing supporting coursework for teaching early childhood through grade 6 (EC–6), middle school or high school.

Thinking Grad School? Think SMU.

Envisioning a brighter future? Think grad school at SMU, where you join a lifelong family network and see immediate returns on your educational investment. Take your new big step at SMU.

Student success

Simmons graduates with a Master of Education are already making many positive changes in their communities; they are educators who challenge ideas and expand minds. The program’s small class sizes and individual attention allow our students to create lasting relationships with renowned faculty. Our community outreach programs foster connections between our students and the community. The emphasis on theory and on research-based practices provides students with the tools they need to make a difference in the world.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Classroom teacher
  • Instructional coach
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Academic interventionist
  • School administrator
  • Campus leader
  • Instructional designer
  • Learning specialist

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

Top 50

Best graduate education schools in the nation

U.S. News & World Report (2025)

No. 1

Private graduate education school in Texas

U.S. News & World Report (2025)

Student stories

Jesus Bermea

Jesus Bermea ’25

“I chose SMU because of its commitment to developing culturally responsive educators who lead with purpose and integrity.”

Emily Waneck

Emily Waneck ’19

“Without the Simmons school, I would not have been able to make the leap from a public-school teacher to an administrative position in a university.”

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Find answers to Simmons School of Education and Human Development application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcripts
  4. English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)
  5. Admission to the graduate programs for educators focuses on K–12 education in the areas of reading and writing literacy; language acquisition; math, science and technology education; bilingual education; learning theory and giftedness. Admission is based upon evaluation for academic success and commitment to intellectual inquiry in the field of education. Applications are also evaluated on the basis of undergraduate (and any prior graduate) preparation, academic writing, and congruence between the applicant’s objectives and the program interests.

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

EDU 6322

Educational and Behavioral Psychology

Explores developmental psychology, learning and the brain, motivation and motivational change, and the theory and practice of testing.

EDU 6347

Creativity: Theories, Models and Applications

Identifying creativity, theories and models of creativity, techniques for creativity enhancement, futuristics, and challenges unique to creative people.

EDU 6323

Literacy Assessment

Explores literacy development and assessment with an emphasis on gathering and interpreting assessment information.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

  • Maria Murad with friends in Jordan

    Internships

    Get practical experience to develop industry skills and build a professional network. 

  • West Dallas STEM School planning session

    Programs and centers

    Partner with institutions open to collaboration and focused on education and human development. 

  • Clubs and organizations

    Explore interests, develop leadership skills, and connect with like-minded peers.

  • SMU students working with plants at Bontham Family Farms

    Community engagement

    Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world issues while making a positive impact.

Research

Simmons researchers design projects to have real-world impact on education and applied physiology.

Faculty

Simmons faculty encourage students to aspire toward high goals in their careers, to meet the rigors of preparation in their fields, and to build toward a better future for all.

This is a carousel with rotating cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate, and Enter to activate cards.

Professor Jill Allor

Jill Allor

University Distinguished Professor
Stephanie Al Otaiba, Patsy and Ray Caldwell Centennial Chair in Teaching & Learning

Stephanie Al Otaiba

Patsy and Ray Caldwell Centennial Chair in Teaching & Learning and Professor
Flavio Azevedo

Flavio Azevedo

Associate Professor

Corey Brady

Corey Brady

Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Research and Outreach

Karla del Rosal

Karla del Rosal

Director of Graduate Studies, Clinical Assistant Professor
Francesca Go

Francesca Go

Associate Dean of Assessment & Student Success, Clinical Associate Professor
Alexis Helfenstein

Alexis Helfenstein

Director, TFA Partnerships & Teacher Certification Testing
Johnitha Watkins Johnson

Johnitha Watkins Johnson

Assistant Department Chair, Clinical Associate Professor
Jana Jones

Jana Jones

Adjunct Lecturer and Coordinator for the Learning Therapist Graduate Certificate
Stephanie Knight

Stephanie Knight

Professor
Lin Lipsmeyer

Lin Lin Lipsmeyer

Professor
Jill Moore

Jill Moore

Certification Officer
Magdalena Pando

Magdalena Pando

Associate Professor
Anthony Petrosino

Anthony Petrosino

Professor

Kyle Roberts

Kyle Roberts

Research Associate Professor

Kelsey Schenck

Kelsey Schenck

Assistant Professor
Quentin-Sedlacek

Quentin Sedlacek

Assistant Professor
Paula Serna

Paula Serna

Senior Program Specialist
Candace Walkington

Candace Walkington

Annette and Harold Simmons Centennial Chair and Professor

Paige Ware

Paige Ware

Associate Provost and Professor
Wieselmann

Jeanna Wieselmann

Director of the Ph.D. Program, Assistant Professor
Dr. Annie Wilhelm

Annie Wilhelm

Department Chair, Professor
Dr. Jiun-Yu Wu, Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning

Jiun-Yu Wu

Professor

Facilities

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall is home to the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall

Home to the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall has classrooms, study spaces, and research labs including the Integrative Physiology Laboratory.

SMU Simmons graduate students use the Immersive Learning Design Lab for game-based virtual learning.

Immersive Learning Design Lab

The lab focuses on simulations, digital media and game-based learning.

Request more info about this program

Request more info about the Master of Education degree

Loading...

Frequently asked questions

There are many career paths you can take with a master’s in education, including:

  • Educator (elementary through university level)
  • Content-area lead instructor
  • Grade-level lead instructor
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Instructional coach
  • Educational consult
  • District administrator
  • Regional education director

 

Mastery of the content and skills should enable the Master of Education graduate to be more effective and efficient in his/her job. Additionally, the knowledge and skills acquired around different areas of interest may allow the educator to pursue new career opportunities.

Eighty-seven percent of Simmons Department of Teaching and Learning graduates are employed either full time or part time (2024). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, individuals with a master’s degree earn nearly 20% more than those with only a bachelor’s degree – and in the field of education – that advanced credential can also unlock leadership opportunities, new specializations and career flexibility. While many graduates use their degree to teach, others step into leadership roles, curriculum design, instructional coaching, education technology and even corporate training.

 

SMU’s M.Ed. program is designed to broaden both the academic preparation and the classroom skills of practicing teachers at all levels, kindergarten through grade 12. The program offers maximum flexibility including an option to specialize in one of nine content or student-audience areas.

Yes. SMU’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) with Teacher Preparation Program is tailor-made for the individual who would like to teach and already has a bachelor’s degree but who does not have the appropriate certification credentials. This program allows students to pursue a graduate degree while completing requirements toward teacher certification. The program can be an excellent choice for someone who is interested in making a career change to teaching young people.

The Master of Education with Teacher Preparation Program allows the individual with a baccalaureate degree to earn a master’s degree while completing supporting coursework for teaching early childhood through grade 6 (EC-6), middle school or high school.

While our traditional M.Ed. program is designed for practicing educators, our M.Ed. with Teacher Preparation Program is designed for students who wish to obtain their master’s and teacher certification.

All graduate programs in the department of teaching & learning deliver their courses in a hybrid format. The exception is the Master of Science in the Learning Sciences, whose courses are fully online.

Yes. The department of teaching and learning offers opportunities for tuition scholarships to help defray the costs of a graduate-level education. Applicants pursuing a graduate-level degree program are eligible to be considered for a financial-need scholarship. All applicants for the M.Ed. with Educator Preparation program are to apply for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers.

Related programs