Master's in Curriculum & Instruction in Texas

A master's in curriculum and instruction is graduate study in how schools decide what to teach and how to teach it: scope and sequence, assessment design, instructional coaching, and the supervision of teachers. In Texas it is usually a 30 to 36 credit-hour degree, and it does not, on its own, issue a teaching certificate.

The practical tension is fit. Programs range from fully online to weekend hybrid to traditional campus, and tuition per credit varies sharply across public and private universities. Two degrees with identical names can cost very different amounts and suit very different schedules.

Instructional coordinator roles in Texas paid a median above $73,000 a year in May 2024, which puts a premium on finishing without accruing heavy debt or losing a year of classroom pay.

10 Texas Curriculum & Instruction Master's Programs Worth Shortlisting

Name recognition tells you very little about which Texas curriculum and instruction master's will actually fit your classroom schedule. Cost, whether students finish, and how the program is delivered tell you far more. The ten programs below all lead to a graduate degree in curriculum and instruction, but they suit very different timelines, budgets, and career targets.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	Schreiner University	Kerrville, TX	~$10,000/yr (est.)	Working teachers wanting an accelerated online degree
A small private university in the Hill Country, Schreiner built its M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction for working teachers who want an online degree without a long runway. The 36-credit program runs about nine months, requires no entrance exam, and offers three concentration options plus add-on pathways to teacher and principal certification. The Texas Education Agency has recognized Schreiner for educator retention, which fits a program designed around small online cohorts and mentoring. Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction — Online 100% online, 36 credits, finishable in about 9 months No entrance exam required; 3.0 GPA minimum $300 per credit hour with a $25 application fee 3 concentration options and 3 start dates per year Principal certification in two additional semesters Alternative-route teacher certification available Texas Education Agency commendation for retention Visit Website
#2	Texas A & M International University	Laredo, TX	~$7,000/yr (est.)	Aspiring bilingual education specialists
Texas A&M International pairs an online M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with one of the shorter timelines on this list: 33 credits finishable in about 12 months. Six specializations let teachers move into bilingual education, educational leadership, educational technology, reading, special education, or a master teacher track. The program is approved by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification, is TEACH Grant eligible, and charges by the course rather than by the term. Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction — Online 33 credits, 100% online, complete in about 12 months 6 specializations: bilingual, leadership, ed tech, reading, special ed Total program tuition of $12,111; pay by the course TEACH Grant eligible and a Quality Matters member Approved by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification Next deadline January 4, 2027 for a January 19 start Visit Website
#3	Texas A&M University-Central Texas	Killeen, TX	$5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)	Career changers without classroom experience
This Killeen campus of the Texas A&M system was built for adult learners, and its curriculum and instruction master's reflects that: fully online delivery, no prior K-12 teaching experience required, and a route that lets students earn a master's and alternative certification at the same time. Teachers who want to teach dual credit can stack 18 hours in a content area, and a reading specialist certificate pathway runs alongside the degree. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — Online 100% online option; no entrance exam required 30 credit hours, including 18 in a content area 18 content-area hours qualify graduates to teach dual credit No prior K-12 teaching experience needed to begin Alternative Certification Program pathway available Thesis option runs 36 credits; non-thesis takes a comprehensive exam Reading specialist certificate pathway available Visit Website
#4	University of North Texas at Dallas	Dallas, TX	~$6,000/yr (est.)
UNT Dallas runs a curriculum and instruction master's aimed squarely at people entering or advancing in Texas classrooms, with an initial teacher certification pathway built into the degree. Eleven concentration options span elementary, middle school, and high school subjects, plus bilingual and ESL certification. Coursework runs in person, hybrid, or online, so the program can flex around a teaching schedule. Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction — Online or On-Campus 11 concentration options in elementary, middle and high school subjects Leads to Texas teacher certification in EC-6, 4-8 or 7-12 Bilingual and ESL certification options available Entrance exam required; GPA minimum ranges from 2.8 to 3.0 $50 application fee, personal essay, two recommendations Hybrid, online and in-person coursework available Certification also requires passing the PACT exam Visit Website
#5	Stephen F. Austin State University	Nacogdoches, TX	~$8,000/yr (est.)
Stephen F. Austin's online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is one of the more focused programs here, with just two tracks: Early Childhood and K-12 Instructional Coach. The 36-credit degree includes a 15-credit core in curriculum design, assessment, and research, then a capstone. It suits teachers who want either early literacy expertise or a coaching credential without relocating. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — Online 36 credit hours across 12 courses; fully online Tracks in Early Childhood and K-12 Instructional Coach Coach track covers teacher leadership, STEM and ESL methods 15-credit core spans curriculum design, assessment and research Capstone project required Visit Website
#6	East Texas A&M University	Commerce, TX	~$7,000/yr (est.)
East Texas A&M, formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce, offers curriculum and instruction at the master's level in both M.Ed. and M.S. formats. The M.Ed. devotes 18 hours to the major and 12 to electives, with a 36-hour dual-credit option, while the M.S. takes a more streamlined approach centered on the major. Delivery is online or hybrid, and students can finish in roughly 16 to 18 months with summer study. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — Hybrid 18 hours in the major plus 12 electives; 36 with dual credit Hybrid and online delivery; about 16 to 18 months Qualifies graduates to teach high school dual credit Charles Butt Scholarship and federal TEACH Grant available Courses offered at the Dallas campus and Navarro Upper-level courses require Educator Preparation admission Visit Website Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction — Online or On-Campus 30 credit hours focused on the major Concentrations include Early Childhood and Secondary Education Fully online option available Master's route to Texas teacher certification Visit Website
#7	Prairie View A & M University	Prairie View, TX	~$8,000/yr (est.)
Prairie View A&M, a historically Black university in the Texas A&M system, offers its curriculum and instruction master's on campus with a 36-credit core in curriculum theory, educational research, and the psychology of learning. A reading education concentration adds literacy coaching and consulting preparation, and the program also sets students up for principal certification. It is a good fit for educators in the Houston area who prefer face-to-face mentorship. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — On-Campus 36 credit hours completed on campus in Prairie View Core spans curriculum theory, educational research and learning psychology Master's seminar and curriculum evaluation required Prepares graduates for curriculum specialist and coordinator roles Historically Black university in the Texas A&M system Visit Website Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (Reading Education) — On-Campus 36 credit hours with a reading education focus Prepares graduates for reading coaching and literacy consulting Coursework in reading and technology coaching Pathway toward principal certification Visit Website
#8	The University of Texas at Tyler	Tyler, TX	~$8,000/yr (est.)
UT Tyler's M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is a 30-credit online program that practicing teachers can finish in 15 to 18 months, with face-to-face classes available as well. Five concentrations cover areas such as STEM education and instructional coaching, and a post-baccalaureate track lets new teachers earn initial certification while completing the master's. Total program tuition is estimated at about $15,710. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — Online 30 credit hours; 15 to 18 months Fully online or face-to-face; 5 concentration options Estimated total program tuition of $15,710 Post-baccalaureate initial teacher certification track Content-area pathways require certification and two years of teaching Deadlines: April 15 for summer, August 15 for fall TEACH Grant support available Visit Website
#9	Tarleton State University	Stephenville, TX	$8,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)
Tarleton State offers eight concentrations under one online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, from a generalist track to a certified reading specialist pathway. The degree runs 30 to 33 credits over about 18 months and builds in internships, field placements, and a capstone or thesis. It is accredited by SACSCOC and the Texas Education Agency. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — Online 8 concentration options, including generalist and reading specialist 30 to 33 credit hours; 18-month completion 100% online with internships and field placements built in Capstone project or thesis option, plus a comprehensive exam Accredited by SACSCOC and the Texas Education Agency 2.8 GPA minimum and a $50 application fee Visit Website
#10	Midwestern State University	Wichita Falls, TX	~$8,000/yr (est.)
Midwestern State's 36-credit M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is a non-thesis program built around curriculum theory, technology integration, and applied research, ending in an action research project and a written comprehensive exam. Students either pair a resource area with a minor or focus on bilingual education and related fields. Hybrid delivery and a child and adolescent studies concentration give practicing teachers several ways to shape the degree. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — Hybrid 36 credit hours, non-thesis, ending in action research Option I pairs a resource area with a minor Option II focuses on bilingual education or a related field Minors include biology, history and math Hybrid delivery with four start dates per year Child and Adolescent Studies concentration available Comprehensive written exam required Visit Website

What a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Actually Covers

This degree teaches you to shape what students learn and how they learn it, not just to deliver lessons someone else wrote. It is advanced study in designing, evaluating and improving curriculum and instruction so that classrooms, campuses and districts work better.

M.Ed. vs. M.S.

The two labels signal different emphases, though the line shifts from school to school. An M.Ed. is usually practitioner-focused, built around applying ideas in real classrooms. An M.S. leans toward research and may suit you better if you are considering doctoral study. East Texas A&M University offers both, and Texas A&M International University offers an M.S., while most other schools here award the M.Ed. Check each program's course list rather than relying on the title.

Typical Coursework Themes

• Curriculum design: building and aligning units, scope and sequence, and standards-based plans.
• Assessment: designing measures and using student data to adjust teaching.
• Instructional technology: choosing and integrating digital tools with purpose.
• Learning theory: how cognition, development and motivation inform practice.
• Action research: investigating a problem in your own school and acting on the findings.

Who It Suits

The degree fits classroom teachers who want to move toward instructional coach, curriculum specialist, instructional coordinator or district-level roles. If you want to lead improvement work beyond your own classroom, this is the coursework that supports it.

What Went Into the Scores

These rankings rest more on public federal data than on claims supplied by the schools, which shapes what any list can tell you. The programs here were compared using College Scorecard and IPEDS program listings. Four limits shape how much the order can tell you.

• What was weighed: Graduate tuition, graduation rate, delivery format (online, hybrid or on campus), and breadth of specializations, such as the reading education concentrations at Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern. Program-level earnings and debt were included where they are published.
• Graduation rate is institution-wide: It describes the whole university, not the curriculum and instruction master's specifically. Read it as a signal about the school's overall completion record.
• Earnings and debt come from Scorecard when available: Where a program publishes no figures, there is simply less to compare.
• What the scores cannot see: Curriculum quality, faculty strength and how selective admission really is.

Because of those gaps, treat the list as a starting point. Before you apply, ask each school about its course sequence, advising, specialization options and current tuition, and confirm the details match your goals.

What Texas C&I Master's Programs Cost: Tuition by School

The figures below are published graduate tuition before financial aid, drawn from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard reporting for the lowest-cost programs here, with per-credit rates added where a university posts them. Texas A&M International lists $367 per credit in-state and $1,030 out-of-state for its online degree, fees included, for program totals of $12,111 and $33,990. Texas Tech estimates $415 to $500 per credit across 36 credits ($14,940 to $18,000) but does not say whether fees are counted. Public universities charge Texas residents far less than nonresidents, while a private school such as East Texas Baptist posts the same $7,980 rate regardless of residency. Based on these published rates, a 30 to 36 credit degree at a Texas public university runs roughly $12,000 to $18,000 for residents and can top $30,000 for out-of-state students. Treat every number as a starting point. Tuition and fees change each year, mandatory fees are not always itemized, and many Texas teachers lower the cost with district or employer tuition assistance, so confirm current rates with each school before you apply.

Does the Degree Lead to Texas Teacher Certification? TEA Credentials Explained

Generally, no. A master's in curriculum and instruction does not by itself earn an initial Texas teaching certificate. That comes through an educator preparation program (EPP) and the required TExES exams. The degree is advanced study; certification is a separate Texas Education Agency (TEA) process that may run alongside it or follow it.

TEA Credentials That Can Follow the Degree

• Reading Specialist EC-12: Requires a master's from an accreditor recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, an approved EPP for this certificate, a valid Texas classroom certificate, and two years of classroom teaching. The 2026 exam is 151 Reading Specialist EC-12 TExES, with 251 not scheduled until September 1, 2027 at the earliest. It is a student-services certificate, not a classroom-teaching one.
• ESL Supplemental: An add-on with no TEA master's requirement. You must already hold an approved Texas certificate area, and the 2026 exam is 154 ESL Supplemental TExES. Coursework or admission conditions may vary by EPP.
• Principal as Instructional Leader EC-12: Requires a master's, a valid classroom certificate, two creditable years of teaching, an approved principal preparation program with a practicum, the 268 TExES, and the three-task Performance Assessment of School Leaders (PASL).
• Master Teacher: Current TEA materials do not establish a Master Teacher certificate or exam. Do not treat a district title or National Board credential as one.

How Specializations Map to Credentials

• Literacy and reading: The clearest link to a credential. Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern offer reading education tracks, which fit the Reading Specialist route if the program is approved for that certificate.
• Bilingual and ESL emphasis: Can point toward the ESL Supplemental add-on, depending on the program's coursework.
• Instructional leadership: Leads to principal certification only through a separate approved preparation program.
• STEM, instructional technology and coaching: Typically build skills and résumé strength with no TEA credential attached.

Confirm Before You Enroll

Ask each school whether the program is TEA-approved for the specific certificate you want, and which TExES exam it prepares you for. A degree title alone does not tell you. Verify current requirements and exam schedules directly with TEA, the source for every certification detail above.

Admission Requirements, GRE Waivers and Application Deadlines

Entry rules vary more than you might expect across Texas C&I programs, especially around teaching experience and certification. Use these checkpoints to sort your shortlist.

• GPA minimums

  Expect a 3.0 at UT Austin (based on your last two undergraduate years or prior graduate work), UT Arlington and Texas A&M, where 3.0 is recommended. TAMIU sets 2.75. Lamar and UT Tyler's Grad Teach route set a 2.5 floor.
• Teaching experience and certification

  UT Arlington grants unconditional admission with two years of relevant experience. Applicants with less may be admitted on probation. Its Open Option doesn't require certification but doesn't lead to initial certification. UT Tyler's STEM, instructional coaching, educational technology and single-content specializations require certified teachers with at least two years in the classroom. UT Austin prefers EC–12 experience but doesn't treat it as absolute.
• GRE policy

  UT Austin, Texas A&M, Lamar and TAMIU don't require it. UT Tyler may request scores if your GPA is below 3.25. Grad Teach waives the GRE with a 2.75 undergraduate GPA (overall or last 60 hours) or a 3.0 graduate GPA. UT Arlington's committee may request scores individually.
• Deadlines and start terms

  Published dates include December 15 at UT Austin (fall admission and fellowships), March 20 for fall at Texas A&M, April 15 for summer at UT Tyler and January 4, 2027 at TAMIU. Confirm the current cycle with each program.
• Application materials and transfer credit

  Plan on transcripts and professional recommendations. UT Arlington's pages list both two letters and three forms, so verify the count. Ask each school about statement requirements and transfer-credit limits before applying.

Related Articles

Instructional Coordinator Pay in Texas

Instructional coordinator is one of the most common roles C&I graduates move into. In Texas, half of these workers earned more than $73,600 a year in May 2024, or about $35.39 an hour.

What Do Texas Curriculum & Instruction Master's Completers Earn?

The chart compares College Scorecard median earnings for each school's own curriculum and instruction master's program, measured one year and four years after completion. Texas A & M International University leads at $67,935 four years out, and every program shown reaches at least $62,644 by that point. These medians reflect the wages of past completers who received federal financial aid, not guaranteed outcomes, and they depend on your district, role and years of experience.

More Texas Curriculum & Instruction Programs to Consider

The schools below round out this directory of Texas curriculum and instruction master's programs. They sit beyond the featured picks, yet several bring concentrations, online delivery or certification tracks that can fit a working teacher's schedule. Each entry notes the city and the format the program reports.

DFW Metroplex

Greater Houston

Brazos Valley

East Texas

Central Texas

South Texas

West Texas

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