Masters Programs in Education in Texas

Texas is not a state to rest on its laurels, especially when it concerns its youth, so it’s no surprise that programs and initiatives aimed at improving the K-12 educational system are plentiful.

One of the big players in school improvement in Texas is the System of Great Schools, a problem-solving approach designed to guide district leaders to better understand school performance and community demand. It’s about finding what’s broken and replacing it with high-quality, best-fit solutions.

Currently, no less than 20 districts throughout Texas (home to more than 570,000 students) participate in the SGS Network, with exceptional results now the norm. For example, the San Antonio ISD, since joining the SGS Network in 2017, has increased its districtwide rating from an F to a B.

Whether you’re interested in a master’s in education to get your teaching career off the ground and earn your initial Texas teacher certification; you’re looking to add another endorsement to your existing certification; or you’ve got an interest in pursuing study in an area like instructional technology, administration, or leadership, you’ll feel good knowing that the pursuit of a master’s degree in Texas aligns well with the state’s commitment to producing outstanding schools.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s in education in Texas and the many programs that’ll get you where you want to be:

Earning Your Master’s in Education in Texas

You’ll need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree within an approved teacher preparatory program to earn a Standard Teaching Certificate in Texas. To maintain your teaching certificate, you must earn at least 150 CPE hours during each five-year renewal period.

Pursue a master’s in education and you’ll satisfy the 150 CPE hour requirement during one renewal period while also advancing your career – and likely you paycheck in the process. In fact, completing just four courses toward your master’s will get the job done for renewal.

Master’s in education programs in Texas will get you where you want to be, whether you’re an aspiring educator working to earn your initial teaching certificate; a currently practicing teacher interested in adding another endorsement to your teaching certificate or advancing your knowledge in an area like instructional technology, teaching leadership, administration, or more; or a career changer with a bachelor’s degree in another field and an interest in entering the teaching field and earning your initial teaching certificate.

Program design varies according to your educational needs and career goals, with the newest crop of master’s in education programs designed specifically for career changers who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. These specialized programs offer an accelerated path to a master’s degree and initial teacher certification.

Online Master of Education (MEd) and MAT Programs in Texas

While traditional, on-campus master’s in education programs remain widely available in Texas, perhaps just as many hybrid and online programs are available to accommodate students with busy professional schedules and/or geographical limitations. Hybrid (a combination of both online and on-campus courses) and fully online master’s in education programs are plentiful in the Lone Star State.

Public colleges and universities in Texas offering hybrid and/or online master’s in education programs include:

• University of Houston-Clear Lake
• Stephen F Austin State University
• The University of Texas at Austin
• Texas A & M University-College Station
• University of Houston
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Angelo State University
• University of Houston-Downtown
• Texas A & M University-Commerce
• Tarleton State University
• Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
• Texas A & M International University
• Midwestern State University
• The University of Texas at El Paso
• University of Houston-Victoria
• West Texas A & M University
• University of North Texas
• Texas State University
• Texas A & M University-Kingsville
• The University of Texas at Tyler
• The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Sam Houston State University
• University of North Texas at Dallas
• Texas Southern University
• Texas Tech University
• Texas A&M University-Central Texas
• Sul Ross State University
• Texas Woman’s University
• The University of Texas at Arlington
• Prairie View A & M University
• The University of Texas Permian Basin
• Texas A&M University-Texarkana
• Lamar University
• Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Private colleges and universities in Texas offering hybrid and/or online master’s in education programs include:

• Baylor University
• Saint Edward’s University
• Dallas Baptist University
• Southwestern Adventist University
• Wayland Baptist University
• University of Dallas
• Abilene Christian University
• Texas Wesleyan University
• LeTourneau University
• University of St Thomas
• Southwestern Assemblies of God University
• Concordia University Texas
• Houston Baptist University
• University of Phoenix-Texas
• Texas Lutheran University
• Hardin-Simmons University
• East Texas Baptist University
• Strayer University-Texas
• North American University
• Arlington Baptist University

Scholarships and Grants for Advanced Education Degree Students in Texas

Once you have been accepted to a graduate teaching program, you will need to figure out how to fund your degree. Many graduate teaching programs have teaching and research assistantships that pay tuition and a small monthly stipend. To qualify for these positions, you often need relevant research interests and a history of strong academic performance. Many government agencies and private businesses also award education scholarships.

• TCTA Scholarship: Awarded through the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, this award is given to students who face hardships and challenges that may keep them from paying for a degree.
• Raising Texas Teachers: This association aims to strengthen Texas’ access to qualified teachers with $8,000 scholarships for aspiring educators and administrators.
• Texas Music Educators Association Scholarship: This scholarship is available to graduate students with at least three years of teaching experience. You must be pursuing a music education degree to apply.
• Texas PTA: Current educators and faculty members can apply for scholarships ranging from $500 to $1000.

Working in Texas with a Master’s in Education – Jobs and Salary Benefits with a Master’s

Job projections for Texas educators are downright impressive in the coming years. The Texas Workforce Commission projects that the number of K-12 educator jobs will increase by about 11% between 2018 and 2028 – that’s about three times more than the projected national growth rate of 3.3% during this time for these professionals.

The state expects to see about 11,980 job openings among elementary school teachers and about 9,260 job openings among secondary education teachers during this time through a blend of new job growth, natural job turnover, and retirements.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of May 2020, elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $57,690, while secondary education teachers earned a median salary of $58,400.

The BLS also reports that Texas teachers in the 75^th – 90^th percentile – likely those with significant experience and/or advanced degrees like the master’s in education – earn $63,180 – $68,760 at the elementary level and $64,260 – $74,230 at the secondary level.

The Texas Association of School Boards reports that about 80% of all school districts in Texas offer higher salaries for educators with a master’s degree, either in the form of an annual stipend or an annual salary increase.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth data for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers. Figures represent national data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2021.

Job growth projections sourced from the Texas Workforce Commission and reported in the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Long Term Occupational Projections (2018-2028) database – https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm.

Professional Research Initiatives and Other Opportunities for Master’s-Level Educators in Texas

A master’s in education degree is often used by Texas educators to increase their best practices and improve the quality of education they provide to their students in the classroom. Still others transition to work outside the classroom, where they put their advanced coursework in education to work in administrative roles, nonprofits, curriculum development companies, and more:

• Guide change at nonprofit agencies like Stand for Children.
• Develop training programs at Edmentum Inc., a company providing online education options for educators in Dallas.
• Connect teachers and parents at Communities in Schools.
• Develop curriculum guides and materials at McGraw-Hill.

A master’s in education may also pave the road to a career that’s focused on educational research programs and initiatives:

• Blocker Education Research: A research facility that aims to improve schools, evaluate new programs and encourage cultural awareness
• Educate Texas: An agency that uses evidence-based methods to prepare more students for the workforce and higher education
• Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education: A network for STEM education researchers funded by the National Science Foundation’s Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) program

Masters in Education Programs in Nearby Sates