Master of Education (MEd)
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Our Lady of the Lake University offers Master of Education (MEd) degree that prepares professional educators to understand and meet the needs of a diverse student population; function in a global society; be life-long learners; and gain the skills and vision needed to be leaders in schools faced with the challenges of today.
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
In the Master of Education (MEd) Curriculum and Instruction degree program students complete required foundation courses as well as courses tailored for the concentration. The content courses, combined with curriculum and instruction foundation courses, prepare teachers to hone their craft and content expertise as well as be an instructional leader at their schools.
The MEd Curriculum and Instruction program offers the following concentrations:
Focuses on reading and writing strategies for early childhood through high school. Students in this program study bilingual language development, explore theories and research-based practices to promote literacy development and focus on the organization, implementation and evaluation of reading and literacy programs. Students participate in an Action Research Capstone in which they investigate current issues in classrooms, schools and communities in order to create change by acting on research-based evidence.
In this program, students investigate the bilingual language development stages and acquisition processes of orthography and linguistics in students’ first and second languages. In addition, students explore the foundation, implementation and maintenance of dual language programs as well as investigate the history, philosophy and theories within dual language instruction. Students will also review the recommended formal and informal assessment procedures and interventions for language minority students in the areas of giftedness, learning disabilities, developmental delays and social/emotional/behavioral disorders. Students participate in an Action Research Capstone in which they investigate current issues in classrooms, schools and communities in order to create change by acting on research-based evidence.
Admission Requirements
- Completed OLLU application (no application fee)
- An earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) on undergraduate work and a 3.0 for the last 60 hours
- Official transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges and universities where degrees were conferred
- A personal statement
- Two recommendations academic or personal sources (request through application)
- Resume
- FERPA Consent to Release Education Records and Information Form-Written consent release of test records to certification officer and program faculty
- Teacher Service Record
- Any other materials requested though application (based on concentration)
- Interview arranged by the department (if necessary)
- All applicants who did not complete an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States that are reflective of the language skills that teachers need: are required to provide minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based (TOEFL iBT) of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing (TAC 230.11).
- $10 fee for a criminal background check and $35 TEA technology fee will be required once admitted; if applicant feels there is something in their background that may hinder a placement/certification, it is recommended that a background check be completed prior to admission
Admission Deadline
The deadline for submitting a completed application is Nov. 1 for spring admission, May 1 for summer admission and July 1 for fall admission.
Maricela Alarcon , MEd 2007
A Legacy of Excellence
The Master of Education (MEd) program produces distinguished educators in a range
of positions, from classroom teachers to school district superintendents.
A number of graduates have schools or learning centers named after them, such as Dr.
Joe J. Bernal Middle School and Byron P. Steele II High School. At least 20 alumni
have served as public, private and charter school district superintendents, like Bernal
(MEd 1954) in Harlandale ISD and Steele (MEd 1964) in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City
ISD. Several alumni, such as Jose Cardenas (MEd 1955) and Gloria Zamora (MEd 1968),
distinguished themselves as pioneers in bilingual education.
Dozens of alumni have been honored for classroom excellence, among them: Dawn Cardenas
(MEd 2020), SAISD Distinguished Teacher of the Year; Maricela Alarcon (MEd 2007),
NISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and finalist for Texas Elementary Teacher of the
Year, and Kaci Maine (MEd 2020), “Rising Star,” First Year Teacher of the Year.