Master of Education with Certification (M.Ed.)

SMU's Master of Education with Certification 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 and a teaching credential simultaneously.  The program can be an excellent choice for someone who is interested in making a career change to teaching or for someone who is ready to resume a career after being at home with children and would like that career to involve young people.

The Master of Education with Certification program allows the individual with a baccalaureate degree to earn a Master’s degree while completing teacher certification requirements in Early Childhood - Grade 6 (EC-6), Middle School, or High School. Students who seek middle school or high school certification must have an undergraduate major (or at least 24 credit hours - half of which must be upper division courses) in a discipline that is taught in public school.

Electives in the program (for those seeking middle school or high school certification) allow participants to begin specialization areas in gifted education, reading, mathematics, science, technology, bilingual education, and ESL−all of which lead to certifications that can be earned at SMU. Core courses expand participants' understandings of the psychological, social, and cultural contexts of education.

Program Structure

The M.Ed. with Certification is unique among the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development's graduate programs because participants enter the program 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 basic program consists of 36 hours of coursework.  The program is selective and intense, offering well-qualified and motivated individuals the opportunity to telescope Master's level courses and basic educator preparation.  Individuals who seek employment as teachers will have strong credentials with both a master's degree and a teaching certificate.  In many cases, these qualifications will give applicants an advantage as they seek employment. Successful student teachers will graduate in December.  Interns, on the other hand, are required by the state to be supervised for a full academic year, so interns typically graduate in May.  Advisers will provide an orientation and information about certification testing required by the state.

Programs of Study

Click on any course below to link to its course description.

Expectations during program participation

In addition to satisfactory performance in the coursework of the program, including satisfactory attendance, each participant will be required to attend Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) review sessions prior to taking any TExES examination.

Many participants will choose to student teach in the second fall; others will prefer to seek a teaching position (internship) in Dallas County or in another approved teaching site.  Individual school districts pay interns’ salaries.  SMU’s clinical faculty provides supervision during the two-semester internship. 

Participation in the program does not guarantee a teaching position.  Students who do not obtain teaching positions (internships) may register for and complete a one-semester, unpaid student-teaching assignment in an area school in place of the internship.  The University does not recommend anyone for regular initial certification who has not completed six hours of internship (one full year as teacher of record) or six hours of student teaching (15 weeks of supervised student teaching) and passed both the content area TExES and the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES examinations.

The Faculty

The faculty is drawn from the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development and other academic disciplines represented in the University. Visiting professors and lecturers also contribute to the offerings of the program.

Admission

Individuals are admitted to the program as part of a cohort group in the summer.  Applications for the program must be received by March 1 to allow for processing. 

Admission is competitive and based on the following requirements:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a preferred minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). NOTE: Applicants whose GPAs fall below 3.0 may request an exemption to this requirement by attaching a letter explaining why an exception should be made (such as long-term experience, expertise in a related specialized field, or a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination score).
2. For those seeking middle school and high school certification, a minimum of twenty-four 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; ability to think critically.  These competencies will be demonstrated through following the submission of a written statement of career goals 2 - 3 pages; Note satisfactory completion of an interview with one or more faculty members of the School of Education and Human Development may be required.
5. Demonstration of English proficiency by applicants from countries where the predominant language is not English.  These applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.
6. Demonstration by applicants for middle school or high school of their expertise in their teaching field.  This competency will be documented by evaluation of their transcript.
7. Submission of the Personal Character and Professional Fitness Statement with notarized affidavit
8. Attendance at required orientation session for the cohort.

Graduate students wishing to transfer to Southern Methodist University from another graduate school in the U.S. must have maintained a "B" average on all graduate work previously attempted in addition to satisfying the other admission requirements of the program.  While applicants may request transfer of up to six hours of graduate credit, approval is not guaranteed because of the tightly structured nature of the M.Ed. with Certification program.

Application

Complete and submit the M.Ed. with Certification application by March 1 to be considered for summer 2009 admission.  A $75 nonrefundable application fee is required.  The links to the semester schedules are at the top of this page, or you may call (214-768-2346) or e-mail the Department of Teaching and Learning, and we will fax or e-mail one to you. Only complete applications will be reviewed.  Participants will be notified of admission status after March 20.

Cost

Graduate students in the program take advantage of SMU's reduced tuition rate for educators. The tuition rate for the 2009-10 Academic Year is $435 per semester credit. There is an additional fee for parking. Click here to view parking fees. 

Financial Aid

Students who are admitted to a degree program (such as the M.Ed. or the M.B.E.) and who enroll for a minimum of 6 hours in any one term may be eligible to apply for federal financial aid.  Applicants may submit forms to financial aid before being accepted into the program.  Click here for more information about financial aid.

Master's Comprehensive Exam 2009 Dates

• June 27, 2009          
• July 11, 2009          
• November 14, 2009 

The comprehensive exam will be located in Fondren Library West 103B, 103C from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Please click here for more information on the comprehensive exams.

Additional Information

Please click here to read the Master's Degrees handbook.

For additional information, please call SMU's Department of Teaching and Learning at 214-768-2346 or e-mail teachlearn@smu.edu.