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Professor David Chard, Dean
Associate Professor Jill Allor, Department Chair
Professors: G. Reid Lyon, Patricia Mathes, Gale Roid; Associate
Professors: Deborah Diffily, JoAnn Lan, William Pulte, J. Kyle Roberts, Ken Springer; Assistant
Professors: Caroline Kethley, Hector Rivera, Paige Ware; Senior
Lecturers: Lee Alvoid, Kathy Hargrove (associate dean), Barbara Morganfield; Lecturers: Abigail Barto Shesky, Laurie Campbell, Gail Hartin, Nancy Montgomery, Jan Sayers,
Karen Vickery, Terri Sue Zerfas.
The doctoral program in education prepares students to understand, evaluate and conduct education research that will contribute to the improvement of student learning, teaching practices, services to special populations and, ultimately, to the improvement of all levels of education. The program’s distinctive vision is to respond to the need for educational leaders who can provide data-based recommendations for educational policy and innovative new teaching and assessment practices. The program faculty is particularly effective in building student skills in reading and mathematics instructional design, improving education for special populations such as English Language Learners (ELL) and quantitative methods of research as emphasized in a number of recent federal education initiatives and federal grant programs.
The curriculum of the doctoral program prepares students for leadership, research and innovation in a broad range of educational contexts. The four broad specialty areas of the program consist of Instructional Design, Special Populations, Research Methods & Assessment and Literacy, Math or Science Interventions. Each of these areas contains several concentrations. Instructional design involves innovative new practices for a wide range of curricular areas and levels of education. Special populations include students who are gifted, have leaning disabilities, or are English Language Learners (ELL).
Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework across approximately four years with at least two years of residence at SMU. Required coursework consists of 21 hours of core research courses, 21 hours of specialty area courses and 18 hours of electives. The core research curriculum includes professional seminars in research paradigms and design, a quantitative statistics series, advanced assessment methods and mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative research). Specialty and elective courses span a wide range of instructional design, literacy, bilingualism/biliteracy, diversity, linguistics, special education, giftedness and other education-related courses.
The Ph.D. program is designed to augment an existing master’s degree or equivalent preparation. Admission is based on an overall evaluation of the candidate’s undergraduate and graduate transcripts, GRE scores (e.g., ideally 1100+; with TOEFL scores if the student’s native language is not English), written records demonstrating at least three years of full-time teaching or school-related experience, a statement of purpose and aspiration, three letters of recommendation and faculty interviews.
Ordinarily, students must enroll in nine hours of coursework (i.e., three courses) per semester in full-time residence at SMU for the first two years of the program. With the assistance of their advisers (and dissertation committees), students develop programs of study tailored to their particular needs. However, all students share the same set of core requirements. Requirements for the doctoral degree encompass the 60 credit hours of coursework (including approved transfer credits), qualifying exams, a major area paper (often related to the future dissertation), evidence of teaching competency, dissemination of research (e.g., a conference presentation), a professional portfolio of the student’s best work, advancement to the dissertation phase, formation of a dissertation committee, a dissertation with an oral defense and submission of a variation of the dissertation for possible publication. Students are expected to participate as assistants in extant research studies (often conducted in local school districts) as part of the research requirements of the program.
The Master of Bilingual Education program offers a broad interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares specialists in the field of bilingual education. Teachers can choose from either the Master of Bilingual Education or the Master of Bilingual Education with gifted concentration. Designed for practicing teachers, the 36-hour program offers evening classes during both the academic year and the summer. The program includes coursework in literacy, second-language teaching, linguistics, cultural/multicultural education, behavioral psychology and community-based educational research. The core courses, in particular, help participants refine their pedagogical skills and develop both expertise in use of the methods proven effective with LEP (Limited English Proficient) students and understanding of current research in the field of bilingual education. MBE courses reflect Texas Education Agency (TEA) standards for bilingual certification.
Before enrolling in the MBE program, all students must submit the following:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university.
2. An official transcript that shows academic work in higher education and that reflects adequate subject preparation, including an academic major or teaching field and a minimum 3.0 overall G.P.A. Transcripts from countries outside the United States must be accompanied by an official evaluation of the transcript by a recognized U.S. evaluation agency. No copies will be accepted.
Applicants not meeting the 3.0 G.P.A. requirement must provide other qualifications–such as long-term experience, expertise in a related specialized field or a satisfactory GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score–as a justification for admission
3. Proficiency in Spanish or in another language used in a bilingual education program in Texas, such as Vietnamese or Chinese
4. A completed application and the appropriate application fee payable to “SMU: Bilingual Education.” This fee is non-refundable.
5. Three recommendation forms from those who can attest to the applicant’s academic abilities, teaching abilities and personal qualities. One recommendation should be from the principal or immediate supervisor.
6. For international students applying from countries where English is not the native language, official scores (earned within the previous five years) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 550 on a pencil-and-paper test or 214 on a computer-based test.
The MBE program is a part-time program and as such does not qualify as a suitable educational experience for an international student on a student visa. As evidence of financial support, foreign students must provide a Certification of Finance Form/Letter of Financial Backing (applies to students who are not awarded a scholarship). This should represent that sufficient money will be available to the applicant to cover all expenses while at the University. This letter may be signed by a parent or sponsor but must be certified by a bank. The document must be notarized and on file before the process for visas and passport can proceed.
Students must complete 36 graduate-level credit hours in one of two degree plans: The Traditional Plan or the Gifted and Talented Focus Plan.
The Traditional Plan requires completion of three core courses (nine credit hours) and four courses in the specialization (12 credit hours). The core courses are EDU 6304 or ANTH 6306, EDU 6322 and EDU 6310. The specialization courses include: EDU 6312/ANTH 6311, EDU 6315, EDU 6321 and EDU 6339. Two courses in English as a second language are also required: EDU 6320 and EDU 6390. Students in The Traditional Plan must choose an additional nine credit hours of electives. Electives include: EDU 5317, EDU 6316/ANTH 6347, EDU 6389, EDU 6300, HIST 5330, EDU 6319, ANTH 6306, ANTH 6332 and HUMN 6307.
The Gifted and Talented Plan requires two core courses, EDU 6304 and EDU 6310. Its specialization requires 12 credit hours chosen from EDU 6312/ANTH 6311, EDU 6315, EDU 6319, EDU 6321 and EDU 6339. The ESL requirement includes EDU 6320 and EDU 6390. Four gifted and talented courses are required; they are: EDU 6325, EDU 6397, EDU 6347 and EDU 6388. Beginning with students who enter the program in the summer of 2008, all students will be required to pass a comprehensive examination before graduation. Details about this examination are on the MBE program Web site.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is designed to meet the needs of practicing teachers. The 36-hour degree program offers maximum flexibility for the educator whose interest lies in broadening both academic preparation and classroom skills. The program can be individualized for teachers at all levels, kindergarten through grade 12.
The M.Ed. degree is a 36-credit-hour program. All students complete a 12-hour core module, which focuses on the areas of research, differentiation, multicultural education and psychology. An additional 24 credit hours are drawn from specialization modules and/or electives that expand or complement the core, specialization or teaching assignment. The specialization modules offer options in the following specialty areas: reading (MRT), math (MMT), science (MST), technology (MTT), bilingual education, English as a Second Language (ESL), learning therapy or gifted education. Completing all four of a specialization module’s courses provides, in most cases, adequate preparation for specialty certification.
Before enrolling in the M.Ed. program, all students must provide the following:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university
2. An official transcript of academic work in higher education that reflects adequate subject preparation, including an academic major or teaching field and a 3.0 overall G.P.A. Transcripts from countries outside the United States must be accompanied by an official evaluation of the transcript by a recognized U.S. evaluation agency. No copies will be accepted. Applicants not meeting this requirement must provide other qualifications, such as long-term experience, expertise in a related specialized field or a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination score as a justification for admission.
3. For applicants from countries where the predominant language is not English, official scores (earned within the previous five years) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service. The minimum score for admission is 550 on a pencil-and-paper test or 214 on a computer-based test.
The M.Ed. program is a part-time program and as such does not qualify as a suitable educational experience for an international student on a student visa. As evidence of financial support, foreign students must provide a Certification of Finance Form/Letter of Financial Backing (applies to students who are not awarded a scholarship). This should represent that sufficient money will be available to the applicant to cover all expenses while at the University. This letter may be signed by a parent or sponsor but must be certified by a bank. The document must be notarized and on file before the process for visas and passport can proceed.
4. A completed application and a $75 non-refundable application fee payable to SMU.
5. Submission of a two-to-three-page written statement of career goals and how a master’s degree will facilitate these goals.
6. Three recommendation forms from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic abilities, teaching abilities and personal qualities. One recommendation should be from a principal or immediate supervisor.
7. Recommendations and evidence of a high degree of support from the school of employment.
Students must complete 36 hours of graduate study within six years of beginning the program. All students must take the following core courses: EDU 6304, 6305, 6315 and 6322. In addition, they also must complete: (1) 12 hours in a specialization area such as reading, mathematics, bilingual education, learning therapy or gifted education, (2) two 12-hour specialization areas or (3) one 12-hour specialization area and 12 hours of EDU electives. Beginning with students who enter the program during the summer of 2008, all students will be required to pass a comprehensive examination before graduation. Details about this examination are on the M.Ed. program Web site.
The Master of Education with Certification program allows individuals with baccalaureate degrees to earn a master’s degree while completing teacher certification requirements in Early Childhood - Grade 4 (EC-4), Middle School or High School. Electives allow secondary participants to begin specialization areas in gifted education, reading, mathematics, bilingual education and ESL–all of which lead to certifications available at SMU. Core courses expand participants’ understandings of the psychological, social and cultural contexts of education.
In Texas, individuals are certified to teach by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) by passing two examinations, one that covers content and one that covers both instruction/pedagogy and professional responsibilities (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility exam, or PPR exam). Together, the content exam and PPR exam are called the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES examinations). For EC-4 certification, the content test is the EC-4 Generalist Examination. For middle and high school, examinations are tied to specific content disciplines. Passing scores are set by SBEC; the scores are “scaled” scores rather than percentages. The exams are offered periodically throughout the year by the SBEC.
Once an individual has completed certification coursework, completed student teaching or an internship and passed the appropriate examinations, she or he submits fingerprints, passes a criminal background check and is awarded a standard teaching certificate by SBEC. General information about teacher certification in Texas appears on the SBEC Web site www.sbec.state.tx.us.
Individuals are admitted to the Master of Education with Certification program as part of a cohort group; a new cohort begins each summer. Admission is competitive and based on the following criteria:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 (transcripts required). Students whose G.P.A.s fall below 3.5 must also submit GRE scores.
2. For those seeking secondary and middle-level certification, a minimum of 24 hours in at least one teaching field that qualifies for certification under State Board of Educator Certification rules and in an area which SMU certifies secondary teachers.
3. Three letters of recommendation (Letters should come from individuals who can attest to such qualities as professionalism, work habits, responsibility and, when possible, effective work with children and youth.)
4. Demonstration of competence in speaking and writing the English language and ability to think critically. These competencies are demonstrated in a two-to-three page written statement of career goals and how a master’s degree will facilitate reaching these goals. In addition, an interview with one or more faculty members may be required.
5. Competence in the content area is demonstrated by:
a. Submission of transcripts of work in content area (middle School/high School)
b. Score of at least 80 percent on a diagnostic TExES examination or other subject test (middle school/high school)
6. Submission of required affidavit indicating fitness for a teaching career.
7. Attendance at required orientation session for the cohort
Students must complete 36 hours of graduate study. All students must take: EDU 6322, 6302, 6304, 6303, 6327 and either EDU 5375/5376 (Internship I and II) or EDU 5373/5374 (Student Teaching). All must take three field experience courses (EDU 5121/5122/5123 for EC-4 or EDU 5124/5125/5126 for Middle School and High School) and Graduate Research (EDU 6160 for EC-4 or EDU 6150 for Middle School and High School) as well.
In addition, EC-4 students must take EDU 6329, 6326, 6340 and 6363; students pursuing Middle School or High School certification must take nine credit hours of electives. Both EDU 6340 and 6363 include work with students in local schools. Beginning with students who enter the program in the summer of 2008, all students will be required to pass a comprehensive examination before graduation. Details about this examination are on the M.Ed. with Certification program Web site.
With the guidance of a faculty adviser, candidates seeking a Master of Music in Music Education may use elective choices to build a concentration (requiring at least six credits) in one of four areas: Choral Conducting, Instrumental Conducting, General Music or Piano Pedagogy. In certain cases, and subject to departmental approval, up to six credit hours of the Master of Music in Music Education may be satisfied through involvement in the Music Educators Workshops.
Applicants traditionally enter the program with a background in teacher preparation. However, other candidates may be accepted, including those with undergraduate music degrees in performance, piano pedagogy or sacred music. The wide variety of elective choices allows the construction of individualized degree plans to fill in gaps in previous training. This may also lead to certification for teaching in public or private schools.
Contact the Meadows School of the Arts.
Contact information
Doctor of Philosophy in Education
P.O. Box 750455
Dallas TX 75725-0455
214-768-4889
www.smu.edu/EducationPhD
Master of Bilingual Education with Gifted Focus (MBE)
P.O. Box 750506
Dallas TX 75725-0506
214-768-2184
www.smu.edu/MBE
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
P.O. Box 750455
Dallas TX 75725-0455
214-768-2346
www.smu.edu/MEd
Master of Education with Certification
P.O. Box 750455
Dallas TX 75725-0455
214-768-2346
www.smu.edu/MasterEdCert
Master of Music in Music Education (M.M.E.)
P.O. Box 750356
Dallas TX 75725-0356
214-768-3765
www.smu.edu/Meadows/music
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