In one calendar year, earn your M.Ed. and become certified to teach!
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. All applicants of the Master of Education with Teacher Preparation Program are to apply for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers.
Program Structure
In the M.Ed. with Teacher Preparation, students enter the program during the summer as a member of a cohort and progress through the program in a structured manner. Learning and working in a cohort builds on shared knowledge and experiences and develops a supportive peer group. The program consists of 36 hours of coursework and is designed to complete in one calendar year. Successful teacher candidates begin coursework and training in June and graduate with a Master of Education degree in May. Upon completing the program and passing TExES exams, candidates are recommended for the Texas Standard Teacher Certificate.
Because we believe that teachers best learn to teach through work in schools and classrooms, participants in the M.Ed. with Teacher Preparation Program work in local public schools as part of their coursework and training through every semester of the program. Participants begin field work at the beginning of their program by being paired with an experienced teacher. During the fall and spring semesters, they complete student teaching while taking training coursework. Student teaching occurs three days of the week for the fall and spring semesters. The M.Ed. with Teacher Preparation Program is intense, practice-focused and community-based.
As part of the requirement for teacher certification, candidates are to pass Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) exams. For approval to register for a TExES exam, candidates are to pass an SMU administered practice test. Exams are preferably completed prior to graduation.
For additional information, the Master of Education Student Handbook outlines program requirements and policies, including steps and procedures if expectations are not met.
Applicable resources of the program, specific information for admitted students, as well as policies, program performance, and Texas educator employment projections can be found at Teacher Preparation Program.
Requirements for Admission
For candidates pursuing early childhood through 6th grade (EC-6) certification, preference is given to those who have completed at least 6 hours each in English, math, science, and social studies (economics, history, government) with a final grade no lower than a C (2.0) and a content GPA of 3.0.
For candidates pursuing middle school (grades 4-8) certification, preference is given to those who have completed at least 6 hours each in English, math, science, and social studies with a final grade no lower than a C (2.0) and a content GPA of 3.0.
All candidates pursuing high school (grades 7-12) certification must have completed at least 12 credit hours in the subject they want to teach with at least half of those hours in upper division courses with a preferred content GPA of 3.0.
Candidates pursuing math or science certification for middle school (4-8) or high school (grades 7-12) must have completed at least 15 credit hours in that subject with at least half of those hours in upper division courses and a preferred content GPA of 3.0.
Please check with a Simmons adviser to verify that the subject area is recognized by the Texas Education Agency. To schedule an appointment with an adviser, call 214-768-2346. Further admission details can be viewed at Graduate Admission Process.
All candidates pursuing recommendation for teacher certification must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and employment as an educator. If a candidate has any reservations about their criminal background check, a preliminary evaluation can be obtained before applying to the SMU Teacher Preparation Program. For further information, go to the Texas Education Agency sites, Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation and National Criminal History Checks.
Master of Music in Music Education
Students interested in an advanced degree in Music Education should pursue the Master of Music in Music Education (MMME) through the Meadows School of the Arts. The degree may be earned on a part-time or full-time basis. To learn more, please visit Meadows School Graduate Admissions and Graduate Catalog.