Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning
A master’s degree leads to more opportunities in education, from standing out in the applicant pool to having qualifications for leadership positions.
Abilene Christian University offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching and Learning with an Initial Certification track.
The fifth-year Initial Certification track, designed for high-performing teacher candidates, allows you to begin graduate-level courses in your final undergraduate semester at ACU. You will participate in a year-long clinical teaching placement in high-needs schools and classrooms, and you will leave equipped to meet the needs of diverse student populations.
What outcomes can you expect?
- Education policy development
- Curriculum development
Accreditation
The ACU Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Abilene Christian University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) . The Teacher Education Program has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2026. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so.
Admission Requirements for the Initial Certification track:
Candidates will begin the process by submitting a Statement of Intent in the EDUC 211 semester and will formally apply to the Fifth-Year Master's in Teaching and Learning Degree Sequence during the fall semester, one year prior to matriculation. Applications will be due on the second to last Friday in November with notification of acceptance prior to the spring semester.
Candidates will then apply to the graduate school in the fall semester of their senior year to begin taking graduate level courses the following spring, while completing their undergraduate coursework for May graduation.
- Candidates must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree that includes teacher certification. The GPA requirement will be 3.0 overall and 3.0 in the content field.
- Candidates must have earned no grade lower than a B in any undergraduate professional education courses (EDUC, READ, EACH, SPED).
- Candidates must have no score below 3 on the Dispositions Review completed by three ACU faculty members (two from the Department of Teacher Education and one from the content area department for middle school, high school and all-levels applicants or three from the Department of Teacher Education for all other applicants).
- A completed application to the Fifth-Year Master’s in Teaching and Learning Degree sequence with a statement of purpose and philosophy (maximum of two pages with 12-point font, double-spaced) addressing one’s motivation for pursuing the degree and describing one’s current philosophy of education. No score below a 3 on any category of the essay rubric.
- Complete an application to the ACU Office of Graduate Programs in the fall prior to the spring semester you are applying to begin; and
- $65 application fee
For information on pricing and billing of this degree, click here.
Degree Details
Tracks
Initial Certification
Required Hours
Credit hours: 36
Current tuition per credit hour: $1,000
Program length: 12-15 months
Example Coursework
Creating Effective Learning Environments
Action Research for Classroom Teachers
Overcoming Learning Barriers
Reframing Learning
Department
Department of Teacher Education
Application Deadlines
Initial Certification Track: second to last Friday in November
