Master of Education In Mind, Brain, And Education

Overview

Students in this program learn to advance understanding and practice of learning and teaching in informal and formal settings. Coursework and experiences emphasize instructional and technological innovations and the design of effective learning and teaching environments. The program is designed for people with a wide variety of interests, including research, teaching, training, and learning environments. The MBE master’s at The University of Texas at Arlington was one of the first of its kind in the nation. The program was developed with the understanding that neurological, cognitive, and technological contexts are important areas for approaching learning and teaching in formal and informal settings.

About The Program

This is a completely online program. Students living near the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have the option of attending in-person events, but it is not required. The curriculum consists of three educational neuroscience courses, two research courses, two courses examining evidence-based practices, and three electives. The 30 credit hours can be completed in either one year taking a full-time load (12 hours per semester and six hours in the summer) or longer taking a part-time load. The GRE is not required for admission. Undergraduate GPA (3.0 or higher) is considered, along with a letter of application and at least two letters of reference, for full admission. Students may be admitted conditionally with lower undergraduate GPAs and will be moved to full admission if they achieve a 3.0 or higher GPA in their first nine hours of coursework in the program.

Curriculum

• Total 30 hours Non-Thesis
• 7 Core Course
• 3 Electives: 9 hours

Core Course Requirements

• EDUC 5360 -- Introduction to Mind, Brain, and Education
• EDUC 5361 -- Introduction to Educational Neuroscience
• EDUC 5362 -- The Neuroscience of Typical and Atypical Language Development
• EDUC 5363 -- The Neuroscience of Typical and Atypical Development of Mathematical and Reasoning Ability
• EDUC 5366 -- Evaluating and Debunking Educational Interventions
• EDUC 5367 -- Research Methods in MBE
• EDUC 5368 -- Conducting Research in Mind, Brain, and Education: Capstone Course

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Career Opportunities

This program is especially useful for those working in education with a bachelor’s degree who wish to advance their career by learning more about optimal teaching and learning strategies and environments. For example, a current K-12 teacher may use the degree to become a curriculum specialist. For others, such as those working in business and specializing in training, this degree will prepare them to design and implement optimal curricula and instructional strategies.

Admission Requirements

All students must meet university, college, department, and Texas Administrative Code qualifications in order to participate in educator preparation programs. Out-of-state students will not qualify for Texas educator certification. Therefore, students should review their state's requirements to determine if completion of a program at UTA will lead to certification in their state.

Unconditional Admission Criteria

1. Proof of two or more years of relevant experience.
2. Undergraduate transcripts with at least a 3.0 GPA during the last 60 hours or at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The higher of these GPAs will be used for admission purposes. A 3.0 GPA on the last 9 hours of graduate coursework may be considered in place of the undergraduate GPA.
3. Two professional letters of reference. Letters from supervisors are strongly encouraged. Applicants for the M.Ed. in Special Education submit a personal statement of interest. M.Ed. in Special Education applicants who are not certification seeking submit only a personal statement of interest rather than letters of reference.

Program areas have additional requirements including documents for TEA reporting, including: 1) a written response to the given prompt (fulfills “other screening instrument” as required by The Texas Education Agency), and 2) completion of Attestation and FERPA forms. In addition, some programs require access to an approved Pre K-12 setting. The overall grade point average (GPA) of each incoming class admitted between September 1 and August 31 of each year by an educator preparation program (EPP) may not be less than 3.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent. Certification programs have additional TAC requirements for GPA (used by the program in addition to, not in lieu of, the requirements stated above).

Probationary Admission Criteria

1. Applicants who have less than 2 years of relevant experience, AND have a GPA of at least 3.0 and two letters of reference, may be granted probationary admission. The faculty admissions committee may require additional documents (e.g., GRE scores) for consideration. M.Ed. in Special Education program applicants may also be admitted on a probationary status with less than 2 years of relevant work experience, and a personal statement of interest.
2. Students granted probationary admission must maintain a 3.0 (B or better) GPA in the first 9 credit hours of graduate coursework in the College of Education program to be converted from probationary to unconditional admission.

Program areas have additional requirements including documents for TEA reporting, including: 1) a written response to the given prompt (fulfills “other screening instrument” as required by The Texas Education Agency), and 2) completion of Attestation and FERPA forms. In addition, some programs require access to an approved Pre K-12 setting. The overall grade point average (GPA) of each incoming class admitted between September 1 and August 31 of each year by an educator preparation program (EPP) may not be less than 3.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent. Certification programs have additional TAC requirements for GPA (used by the program in addition to, not in lieu of, the requirements stated above).