Urban Teachers – Teacher Preparation in Secondary English Language Arts
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
The Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed.) is a two-year program that integrates research-based learning with extensive field experience. Designed for those seeking a comprehensive graduate education, this program equips students with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to teach English Language Arts to middle and high school students (grades 7–12) in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings.
This program combines the Master’s in Language and Literacy Studies with coursework that meets the requirements for teacher certification through the Texas Education Agency. Graduates earn a master’s degree while also becoming eligible for teacher certification.
For program-related questions, contact Program Advisor Deborah Kelt.
For admissions inquiries, contact Stephen Flynn.
You will earn:
- A Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction
- A Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts, grades 7-12
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement
Coursework
Total minimum hours: 42 hours
Including 6 hours of certification coursework
Program Requirements Include:
- EDC 385G Learning and Teaching in Urban Contexts
- EDC 382S Teaching Secondary English & Reading
- EDC 380T Writing Process and Pedagogy
- EDC 385G Second Language Acquisition
- EDC 390T Literature for Young Adults
- EDC 698P Student Teaching Internship
- SED 380 Inclusion, Disability, & Diversity in Secondary School Setting
Research Requirements | 3 hours
- EDC 380R Educational Research and Design
Electives Requirements Outside the Department | 6 hours minimum
Two electives (upper-division undergraduate or graduate courses) must be taken outside of Curriculum and Instruction (course numbers may not begin with “EDC”). We recommend exploring options in the following departments:
- English
- Rhetoric and Writing
- Educational Psychology
- Special Education
- Educational Leadership and Policy
- African and African Diaspora Studies
- Mexican American Studies
- Asian American Studies
Additional Requirement: Background Check
This program requires fieldwork in area schools, and to undertake that fieldwork, school districts require that university students each pass a criminal background check. If a student does not pass the criminal background check, she or he will be unable to complete the required work of the program, and any offer of admission will be canceled.
Certification Recommendation
Once you successfully complete all of the steps to become a teacher, including passing the relevant exams approved by the Texas Education Agency, you may be recommended for certification to the TEA by our certification officer. Be sure to reference the Certification Checklist on the Field Experiences wiki for additional information.
Faculty

Brings her experience in literacy education to UT with a specialization in preparing secondary teachers to work in urban schools.

Studies literacy, language, and multicultural education, especially involving new media and globalization.

Focuses on secondary English and literacy education in urban contexts, including among transnational youth.
Additional Information
Please see the Graduate School Catalog.
Program Starts: Fall
Application Deadline: March 1 (Please inquire regarding flexibility around this deadline)
Credit Hours Required: 42
Schedule: Full time
Program Location: On Campus
GRE Required? No

Program Advisor
Deb Kelt

Admissions Coordinator
Stephen Flynn
Let us know what your academic interests are within the College of Education and we’ll be in touch.