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Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.

The 30-hour Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction graduate degree program prepares educators for a variety of educational leadership roles. The program also provides a pathway for interested individuals to earn a Texas EC-12 Principal as Instructional Leader certification.

Areas of Concentration

This graduate degree lets educators tailor a program to meet their personal career goals by offering either a certification route or non-certification route and allowing a choice from one of the five emphasis areas described below:

Curriculum & Instruction  
Literacy Education  
Special Education  
Early Childhood Education  
Content Area (Flexible)  
Quality | Affordability | Convenience
Convenient Course Delivery

The Leadership in Curriculum Instruction 30-hour degree program is 100% online

Multiple Start Terms: Choose to begin classes in the fall, spring, or summer

Flexibility: Take classes either full-time or part-time

Mission
Supporting Effective & Transformative Leaders
The mission of the Leadership in Curriculum & Instruction graduate program is to effectively prepare confident, skilled, and reflective educators for a variety of educational leadership roles. These effective and transformative leaders will be critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, advocates for diverse learners, knowledgeable in the use of educational technology, life-long learners, and stewards of the profession. 
kids-biology-lab-learning

 

Program Standards and Learning Outcomes

The curricula and coursework for this program are in alignment with the State Board for Educator Certification standards for Texas Principals as Instructional Leaders outlined in 19 TAC §241.15the domains and competencies for Principal as Instructional Leader exam (TExES 268), and the Performance Assessment of School Leaders (PASL) tasksAll program learning outcomesare established to develop educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of EC-12 students. 

To become certified in a class other than classroom teachera candidate must complete a minimum of 160 clock-hours of practicum experiences as described in 19 TAC §228.35These required performance-based assessment tasks and authentic field-based experiences will be included in the three required core leadership courses. The culminating exams include the master's comprehensive exam for conferral of the M.Ed. degree, and the Principal Exam for the state licensure as a Texas principal from the Texas Education Agency.  

Admission Requirements

The Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction graduate program offers options for aspiring leaders in education. Applicants may apply for either the certification route leading to a Texas EC-12 Principal as Instructional Leader certification, or the non-certification route to earn the M.Ed. degree only. Upon successful completion of the program, the master’s degree is conferred by West Texas A&M University (WTAMU)If the candidate chooses to pursue the certification route and successfully completes all requirements for the certification, the Texas Education Agency will issue candidates the  EC-12 Principal as Instructional Leader certification upon recommendation by WTAMU’s Educator Preparation Program’s (EPP) certification officer.

Apply to the Graduate School

  • Admission to the Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction program begins with completing the online graduate school application.

Submit Program Specific Requirements

Dr. Nathan Maxwell, Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction Professor and Superintendent of Ralls Independent Schools District in Ralls, TX, gives more information about the new program.

Applicants for the M.Ed. degree and the principal certification pathway must complete the appropriate application components described in the tables below:

PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Requirements
M.Ed. Degree
(Non-certification Route)
M.Ed. Degree + Principal Certification Route
GPA (overall or last 60 hours)

2.75 or higher

2.75 or higher
Hold a valid classroom teaching certificate*

 N/A

Teacher
Completion of at least eighteen (18) hours of previous education coursework

Yes

Yes
Credible Teaching Experience

0 years

2 years of creditable service is required. If an applicant does not have this experience upon admission, they will be required to submit a deficiency letter and must have the required years of experience before graduation and certification. 

*Please refer to Texas Education Agency (TEA) specific requirements for becoming a principal in the state of Texas.

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 
Application Components Required 
(click on each applicable link)
M.Ed. Degree
M.Ed. Degree + Certification
Graduate School
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Program Application
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Screening Requirements
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Official Transcripts (must show earned bachelor's degree)
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Candidate Information Page
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Resume/Curriculum Vitae
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Two Professional References (provided electronically)
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Letter of Intent
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MindTools Leadership Skills Test

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Signed Acceptance Letter
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Service Record and/or Deficiency Letter
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Signed TEA Code of Ethics
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Educator Certificate
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TEA Technology Fee Payment Receipt
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Texas Education Agency (TEA) Requirements

English Language Proficiency  
Criminal History Information   
Transfer Credits  
Competency-based Credit  
Master’s Comprehensive Examination  
Principal as Instructional Leader Certification Exam Requirements  

 

Graduation

All candidates must apply for graduation by the posted graduation deadlines. Upon successful completion of all program coursework and passing the master’s comprehensive exam, the candidate will be eligible for graduation.

Contacts

Dr. Ashley Campbell
Curriculum and Instruction/Content Area Advisor
Department of Education
acampbell@wtamu.edu
Dr. Betty Coneway
Early Childhood Education/Literacy Advisor
Department of Education
bconeway@wtamu.edu
Dr. Michelle Simmons
Special Education Advisor

Department of Education
msimmons@wtamu.edu

Heather Wilson
Coordinator of Graduate School and Research
Graduate School
hewilson@wtamu.edu