Location:

Austin, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Education, Technology & Online Learning

Program Overview

Program Description:

The online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Digital Literacy (C&I/Digital Literacy), offered by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), is a 36-credit program designed to prepare master teachers and graduates with instructional leadership skills. It has three major objectives:

• Provide knowledge, skills, attitudes, and applicable research skills in curriculum and pedagogy
• Develop master teachers to serve as teacher educators, mentors, clinical teaching faculty and peer coaches
• Provide experience in educational research related to effective educational practice in field settings

 

This major is responsive to the needs of the South Texas educational community and to state and national priorities for restructuring and delivering teacher education programs.

The specialization, digital literacy, involves “socially situated practices supported by skills, strategies, and stances that enable the representation and understanding of ideas using a range of modalities enabled by digital tools.” (O’Brien & Scharber, 2008, pp. 66-67)

Careers

• K-12 teacher
• Independent school district staff development or curriculum specialist
• Consulting and training
• Regional Educational Service Center or Texas Education Association staff
• Master Technology Teacher
• Master Reading Teacher

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Apply to the UTRGV Graduate College:

1. Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.ApplyTexas.org. The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All application fees are nonrefundable.
2. Register on the UTRGV Recommenders and Document Upload Webpage. This is where you will request recommenders and upload program requirement documents, and where the graduate office will upload your transcripts. If you do not complete this step, we will not be able to process your application.
3. Request your transcripts and other supporting documentation to be mailed to:
   The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
   The Graduate College
   Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
   1201 W. University Drive
   Edinburg, TX 78539-2999

 

Review and submit all Program Requirements:

• Online application at www.ApplyTexas.org. The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All application fees are non-refundable.
• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. If applicant does not meet minimum undergraduate GPA criterion, GRE general test with minimum scores of 150 Verbal, 141 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical are required for conditional admission. GRE test scores are valid for five years.
• Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
• Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
• Resume including educational background and work experience.

 

Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:

• TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years.
• English translation of educational records.
• Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA).

 

Additional requirements for international applicants:

• TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years.
• English translation of educational records.
• Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA).
• Financial Documentation showing sufficient funds (minimum of $25,000) to cover all expenses (living and academic) for the first year of study.
• Immigration documents, including a current copy of your valid passport.

 

Application Deadlines

• Domestic
  • Fall - Jul 3
  • Spring - Nov 15
  • Summer I - May 1
  • Summer II - Jun 1
• International
  • Fall - Jun 1
  • Spring - Oct 1
  • Summer I - Mar 1
  • Summer II - Apr 1

 

DEGREE PLAN

To earn a Master of Education in C&I/Digital Literacy from UTRGV, students must complete 36 credits according to the following degree plan:

• Required courses - 30 credits
• Designated electives - 6 credits
• Capstone requirement - portfolio

 

Degree Options
Students enrolled in the C&I/Digital Literacy program have the option to complete additional courses and requirements to earn the following certificates:

• Technology Leadership in Education Certificate (TLE)
  This 9-graduate credit certificate is geared toward providing skills and knowledge needed to be an effective leader in technology. Principals, superintendents, and technology leaders currently in roles as administrators, as well as teachers who seek to take more of a leadership role in their district will benefit from this certificate.
• Digital Literacy Leader Certificate
  The purpose of the program is to supply schools with teachers who can provide leadership in the area of digital literacy development. Students take 15 hours of graduate classes.
• TxVSN Digital Literacies Certificate
  Candidates must hold a valid teaching certificate. The purpose of the program is to supply schools with teachers who can teach and assess children effectively online.

 

COURSES 

All courses are offered by UT Rio Grande Valley.

Required Courses (30 credits)

• EDCI 7334 Curriculum Problems and Processes
• EDFR 6300 Research Methods in Education
• EDFR 6388 Introduction to Historical and Sociocultural Foundations of Education
• EPSY 6304 Foundations of Learning, Cognition and Human Development
• RLIT 6300 Foundations of Reading and Digital Literacies
• RLIT 6301 Digital Literacies and Reading for Young Children
• RLIT 6302 Adolescent Digital Literacy and Reading
• RLIT 6303 Diverse Learner Digital Literacies and Reading
• RLIT 6306 Assessment Practices in Digital Literacies and Reading
• RLIT 6308 Digital Literacies and Reading Leadership

 

Designated Electives (6 credits)

• EDTC 6340 Integration of Advanced Technologies in Education and Training
• EDTC 6341 Student-Centered Learning Using Technology

 

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTION AND ADVISOR 

UT Rio Grande Valley

Kathy Bussert-Webb, PhD
Program Director, Professor
(956) 882-7595
kathy.bussertwebb@utrgv.edu

Degree Awarded: Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction-Digital Literacy

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

UT Rio Grande Valley is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Financial Aid:

Yes