Teacher Leadership, Mentoring & Professional Development

Master’s Program

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Designed for current Austin-area teachers, students in the Teacher Leadership, Mentoring, and Professional Development (TLMPD) program work directly with preservice teachers enrolled in the preservice teacher preparation program at The University of Texas who are in a Literacy Specialization cohort. Scholarship support for the first year for each student is available.

The program of study will include a set of required courses in language and literacy studies, teacher leadership, and teacher research. You also will have an opportunity to focus in other areas of our department, including

  • STEM Education
  • Social Studies Education
  • Cultural Studies
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Technology
  • Bilingual/Bicultural Education
  • English as a Second Language

Program Details

Semester Start: Fall

Deadline to Apply: December 1

GRE Required? No

Location: On Campus

Schedule: Flexible

Length of Program: 24 months, 36 hours 

  • Develop mentoring and support skills while working with preservice teachers
  • Prepare for career path that involves mentoring and leadership roles in professional development at the school and district levels.
  • Develop and continue a relationship with the teacher preparation program at The University of Texas

We are seeking classroom teachers who meet the following criteria:

  • Have a minimum of three years classroom teaching experience
  • Are currently teaching grades K through 5 and intend to continue teaching in one of these grades for the 2024-2025 academic year
  • Are currently teaching within approximately 15 miles of UT Austin at a campus that serves communities with 20% or more English Language Learners
  • Can host an intern/student teacher during the 2024-2025 school year
  • Have the support of the school principal to participate in the program
  • Are committed to developing mentoring skills
  • Are committed to improving your own classroom practices
  • Are committed to working with UT’s cross-cutting themes and creed

Complete formal application process through Apply Texas by December 1, 2023. 

Specify interest in this program by including Teacher Mentoring, Leadership & Professional Development Masters in your application. If you do not you will not be considered for this program.

In addition to the letters of recommendation required by the department, you also are required to have a letter of support from your school principal.

All applications will be considered on a competitive basis. Applicants who meet the basic admission criteria and appear to be strong candidates for this program will be observed and interviewed by at least one of the faculty members.

Total: 36 Credit Hours

Semester 1 (Fall)

  • EDC 385G Literacy Leadership for Change
  • Optional second course: 380R Educational Research and Design

Semester 2 (Spring)

  • EDC 385G Classroom Discourse and Teacher Research
  • EDC 390 – Children’s Literature

Semester 3 (Summer)

  • EDC 390T: Practice in Reading Difficulties
  • Optional second course

Year 2

You will design a schedule with the program directors to fulfill the requirements of the degree.

Degree Plan

Basic Course Requirements (3 hours)

  • EDC 380R  Educational Research and Design

Specialization Courses (12 hours)

  • EDC 385G  Literacy Leadership for Change
  • EDC 385G  Classroom Discourse and Teacher Research
  • EDC 385G  Reading Difficulties or EDC 390T Reading Practicum
  • EDC 390T  Children’s Literature

Area of Focus (15 hours)

Must be in Curriculum and Instruction (EDC) or courses cross-listed with EDC.

Out-of-Department Courses (6 hours)

Please direct questions to Stephen Flynn, our admissions coordinator.

Photo of faculty member Denise  Davila
Assistant Professor

Studies children's literature and researches the home literacy practices of families with young children in under-resourced communities.

Photo of faculty member Melissa Wetzel
Department Chair

Literacy teacher preparation, coaching and mentoring, equity and justice in literacy instruction

Photo of Melissa Wetzel

Program Area Coordinator, Advisor
Melissa Wetzel

Photo of Denise Davila

Program Co-coordinator
Denise Dávila



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