Fifth Year Option B.A./B.S./M.Ed.
The Fifth Year Option B.A. or B.S./M.Ed. program provides students with an undergraduate degree in education and with a Master in Education degree with a concentration in Reading and Writing Education or Second Language Education and Culture. By meeting requirements for the two degrees simultaneously, students are able to earn the B.A. or B.S./M.Ed. in a shorter length of time than if each of these degrees were pursued separately. The combined B.A. or B.S./M.Ed. degree program gives students who plan to become Texas certified teachers the capability to complete the certification program hours of study required by the Texas State Board of Education. The two degrees may be completed in approximately five years. Enrollment must be continual and in consecutive semesters. Applicants are initially admitted into the Teacher Education Program and must follow the program requirements of the program. Students must apply for the M.Ed. program after completing 90 hours. Applicants to the Fifth Year Option degree program must meet the admission requirements of both the undergraduate and the graduate programs and follow the application procedures for the respective programs.
A Fifth Year Option education student will be transitioned from undergraduate status to graduate status by the Office of Student Records at the time of her/his graduation from the undergraduate program. The student will be allowed to enroll in up to 9 hours of graduate classes during her/his final undergraduate semesters. These classes will not count towards the undergraduate hours but will count towards the graduate hours; these classes will be moved to the appropriate transcript by the Office of Student Records. Eligible students will continue to receive undergraduate financial aid through the final semester of undergraduate course work (generally when student teaching takes place). The student’s first semester as a graduate student will be immediately following degree posting and consist of only graduate classes. At that time, her/his account will reflect graduate student status and managed accordingly by the Financial Aid office. Any questions regarding aid awards as a graduate student should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.
Timeline for students who are considering the Fifth Year Option:
- Financial Aid advising;
- Apply for admission during/upon 90 hours completed;
- Meet admission requirements, one-time spring admission;
- Acceptance letter received;
- Senior year schedule of undergraduate program as listed below:
Fall first semester:
Complete final undergraduate student teaching coursework
One required graduate course (EDU 6301)
Other undergraduate coursework as needed
Spring second semester:
Two required graduate courses (EDU 6302, EDU 6305)
Summer third/fourth semesters:
3-4 graduate courses in concentration area and/or Travel and Teach option as electives
- Enroll in Fifth Year schedule;
Fall fifth semester
Two graduate courses (EDU 6307, 1 concentration area course)
Spring sixth semester:
One graduate course
Total graduate hours 30
- Successfully pass comprehensive exams spring or summer semester;
- Graduate May or August of Fifth year.