They say everything is bigger in Texas — from the skies, to the deserts, to the cattle, to the…education system? With more than 1,200 different school districts, Texas is home to a vast array of opportunities for future educators. So, whether you’re looking to teach at the elementary, middle, or high school level, as an aspiring Texas educator, you have options. But do you have the education you need to reach your ideal career and salary goals?
A surefire way to expand your teaching career in Texas is by earning an online master’s in education (MEd). The flexibility of online learning can allow you to work while you study, while saving you the expense of relocation while you learn. If you’re intrigued, keep reading to find out whether earning an online MEd in Texas is a good move for you.
Online Master’s in Education in Texas: A Look into Today’s Best Schools
As you prepare to earn your online master’s in education, you’ll need to research different programs in Texas to find the one that is right for you. During this process, you’ll want to consider not only course offerings, but also course structure, online vs hybrid, program costs, internship opportunities, and more. While the right match looks different for everyone, take a look at few particularly strong online MEd programs in TX to get you started.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University, one of the largest public institutions of higher education in the state of Texas, offers a fully-online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. This program’s generalist focus means it will provide you with a broad-ranging base of knowledge in curriculum and instruction.
This MEd program is 36 credits and is non-thesis, so you won’t have to complete an original research project. Upon graduation, you’ll be qualified to help develop effective curricula and teaching strategies for K-12 education.
The program starts twice per year, and you may apply for either an autumn or spring start date by the application deadline. As a state university, Texas A&M offers lower tuition for in-state students, with other forms of financial aid available.
University of Texas at Arlington
The College of Education at the University of Texas at Arlington is home to a variety of fully-online MEd programs. This includes degrees in curriculum and instruction with specializations in literacy, science education, or math education; an MEd in educational leadership; and two MEds in special education (with or without certification).
Which program you choose will depend on your career goals, as all six programs offered are highly specialized, providing focused expertise in your chosen field. You will also be able to choose from a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes for your online master’s in education.
One of the best aspects of UT Arlington is the school’s efforts to keep tuition affordable, as well as the prospect of grants and scholarships. And since half of the programs — including the educational leadership and both special education master’s programs — do not require the GRE for admission, they are more accessible.
University of Houston
The University of Houston offers a well-regarded, fully online MEd in Higher Education, which can be completed in two years. This program is for working professionals, including those who are already working in the higher education sector and are looking to advance in their careers.
Thanks to the distance learning system at the University of Houston, online master’s students have access to a 24/7 virtual helpline for technical concerns, as well as video office hours with professors to address academic queries.
Applications are accepted twice each year, with March 1 and December 1 deadlines. The GRE waiver program allows applicants with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher and students with a graduate degree in a different field to apply without submitting GRE scores.
In-Demand Education Careers in Texas
A postgraduate degree is a major commitment, and it’s important to know the career outcome you can expect. Your online master’s in education in Texas can be a gateway to a large number of in-demand careers in the education field. Depending on your academic focus, your master’s can lead to jobs in areas other than teaching, including curriculum design, educational leadership, and more. Read on for a look at some of the careers to consider after graduation.
Special Education
Special education is not only a fulfilling and crucial role in the education system, it’s a highly specialized field, and a master’s in special education can help qualify you to work with special needs students. If you choose one of these programs, you’ll be learning specialized teaching techniques and how to relate to students with varying needs. Once you’ve graduated, your master’s in special education online in Texas may lead to work in one of the jobs below.
| Job Title | TX Median Salary (2020) |
TX Employment (2020) |
Projected Growth (2020-30) |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Special Education Teacher | $61,780 | 13,410 | 13% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $79,810 | 14,980 | 37% |
| Kindergarten Special Education Teacher | $62,120 | 15,430 | 13% |
Source: O*NET OnLine
Educational Leadership
If you’ve been working in education and want to use your master’s in education online in Texas to take on more responsibility, or have big ideas and want to implement them on a larger scale, you might be the right candidate for a master’s in educational leadership. These programs, popular with veteran educators looking to take the next step, prepare you for a leadership role within a broader education system. Your master’s in educational leadership can be great prep to work in these jobs.
| Job Title | TX Median Salary (2020) | TX Employment (2020) | Projected Growth (2020-30) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinator | $65,130 | 19,090 | 14% |
| Educational Director | $68,830 | 10,270 | 19% |
| Management Analyst | $93,980 | 47,860 | 25% |
Source: O*NET OnLine
Education Administration
A master’s in education administration online in Texas can be a great choice for educators looking to shift to an administrative role, or seasoned educational administrators looking for the next career step. Education administrators are in demand in the increasingly complex education field. Once you’ve completed your degree, you’ll find a master’s in education administration online in Texas can open doors to new roles, including jobs listed below.
| Job Title | TX Median Salary (2020) |
National Employment (2022) |
Projected Growth (2022-32) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Administrator | $99,110 | 218,200 | 4% |
| Human Resources Manager | $125,160 | 191,600 | 5% |
| Administrative Services Manager | $102,120 | 250,800 | 6% |
Source: O*NET OnLine
How to Become a Texas Educator
Step 1: Choose a Specialization
Education is a broad field, which includes teaching students from preschool to adulthood, administrative roles within the education system, educational research and curriculum design, and more. You’ll need to decide what area of education you prefer, and you may need more coursework and qualifications to specialize in science, literacy, or special education.
Step 2: Earn Your Online Master's Degree
The State of Texas has an education requirement for educators that includes earning a bachelor’s degree (although the requirement can vary by subject taught). If you’re changing careers, or have no education experience, an online master’s in education in Texas can help you start off your education career with a firm grasp of the work you’ll be doing. Studying online vs in-person learning can also save time and money.
Step 3: Gain Field Experience
While there is no official field experience requirement for you to become certified to teach in Texas, any educator will feel more prepared to start a new job after gaining some real-life experience. Some online MEd programs provide student-teaching opportunities where you work with a school in your community. You can explore teaching assistantships within your school to gain confidence teaching a class.
Step 4: Pass Your State Exams
To become a certified educator in Texas, you’ll need to pass your certification exams. There are several different exams, and you will need to pass the one relevant to the role you’re seeking. Your master’s program advisor will be aware of the necessary exams and can provide exam prep advice.
Step 5: Earn Your Teaching Credentials
Just one step left! Once you’ve passed your exam, you’ll need to submit a state application for certification through the Texas Education Agency, the state’s credentialing body. If this is your first time obtaining an educational certification in Texas, you’ll be fingerprinted and subject to a criminal background check for certification.
The Cost of a Master’s in Education in Texas
Before you enroll in a master’s in education online in Texas, it’s important to be aware of the financial commitment you’ll be making. Graduate programs can be expensive, and an online master’s degree can help you save on the cost of relocating to a campus.
While there are many opportunities for financial aid in graduate school, including federal grants and loans, school-sponsored scholarships, and private scholarships, you may not be able to line up aid before making an enrollment decision. That’s why it’s important to be aware of total costs in advance. Here are a few examples of pre-aid program costs to consider.
| School | Program | No. of Credits |
Est. Resident Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University | MEd/MS Online in Special Education | 36 | $16,052 |
| University of North Texas | MEd in Educational Leadership | 30 | $25,250 |
| Tarleton State University | MEd in Educational Administration | 30 | $12,478.10 |
Texas Financial Aid Options for Education Majors
There are a variety of different ways to fund your online master’s in education in Texas. In addition to applying for any financial aid programs offered by your school, such as need-based or merit-based grants and scholarships, academic fellowships, or subsidized loan programs, you may also be able to work to help offset your degree costs. This can be through traditional employment, or through a teaching assistantship at your school, where you gain teaching experience while you study.
For Texas students looking to start their careers as educators, the Charles Butt Foundation and the Texas Association of Future Educators offer scholarship opportunities for future Texas educators. In addition to these, do your research on national scholarships, including, if relevant, scholarships for minority or underrepresented students.
FAQs from Texas Education Master’s Students
Is an online education degree a worthwhile investment in Texas?
If you’re in a large state like Texas, applying to in-person master’s programs may mean relocating to a town or city hundreds of miles away. Studying online for your education degree can save you the cost of moving and other expenses associated with on-campus attendance. Online education degrees are more flexible in many cases, meaning you can still work full time while earning your degree.
Are education master’s only for people who want to become teachers?
While many master of education (MEds), and all master of arts in teaching (MAT) programs in Texas are designed for current or aspiring teachers, an MEd can lead to many other roles in educationthat are not teaching jobs. An MEd in educational administration can lead to administrative work, and MEd programs in curriculum and instruction or educational leadership also offer alternative to non-teaching Texas education careers.
Does Texas offer any financial support for educators?
There are a few programs to provide financial support for educator training in Texas. As mentioned above, there are private foundations which provide scholarship opportunities for those attending programs to become Texas-based education professionals. In addition, there are opportunities available through the Texas Education Association (TEA) for future teachers in different stages of their education, including college and graduate-level students.
Can I legally work in Texas if I am credentialed as an educator in another state?
Teachers who want to work in Texas will need to be fully credentialed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) including teachers who hold credentials from out of state. If you have valid teaching credentials from another state, but want to teach in Texas, you’ll need to apply for a review of credentials by the TEA in order to become credentialed to work in Texas as a teacher. The procedure may vary depending on the status of your out-of-state certification.
Can I earn a graduate certificate in education?
If you are looking for more credentials in education, but don’t want to get another degree, consider earning a graduate certificate in education. These are shorter, more affordable postgraduate programs to train you for a specific aspect of your education career, and can be taken online or in person, in Texas and across the country.
