WGU Texas Offers New Online Master's Degree for Aspiring English Teachers

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Western Governors University—parent university of WGU Texas (texas.wgu.edu), the state-endorsed, online, nonprofit university— has introduced a new master's degree program for aspiring middle school or high school English teachers who have completed an undergraduate degree in English but still need a teaching credential. The WGU Texas Master of Arts in Teaching English program, which prepares graduates for teacher licensure in all 50 states, is now accepting applicants. Students accepted into the program may start their coursework on the first day of any month, beginning February 1.

WGU Texas's MAT English program combines preparation for licensure as a middle or high school English teacher with coursework to earn a master's degree. The program is designed for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree in English or the equivalent. To learn more about the program—including prerequisite details—or to apply, visit texas.wgu.edu/MATEnglish.

"WGU's Teachers College has long been recognized as a leader in STEM education, producing the most science and math teachers in the country," said Dr. Philip A. Schmidt, Vice President and Dean, WGU Teachers College. "This new MAT English degree is a great complement to those STEM programs and will help prepare those seeking to become English teachers to be effective and successful as they enter the classroom."

This new degree program adds to the more than 20 online bachelor's, master's, and post-baccalaureate teacher licensure programs in WGU's Teachers College. Now with more than 13,000 students and 14,000 graduates nationwide, WGU's Teachers College holds the distinction of being the first exclusively online university to earn accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Earlier this year, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) recognized WGU for having the No. 1 secondary teacher education program in the nation.

Key areas of study in the new MAT English program include:

• Foundations of teaching
• Instructional planning and presentation
• English pedagogy
• Preclinical experiences
• Demonstration teaching (includes practice/student teaching)
• Research fundamentals

Like all of WGU Texas's programs, the MAT English is online, accredited, and competency-based. Designed to meet the needs of adults, WGU Texas's programs allow students to study, complete assignments, and take tests on schedules that fit their busy lives. Students move through courses at their own pace, advancing as soon as they're able to demonstrate that they've mastered the material. Coursework and curriculum are developed in collaboration with academic and industry experts to help ensure that graduates are prepared for their careers. WGU Texas's terms are six months long, and tuition for Teachers College programs is about $3,000 per term. Tuition is charged at a flat rate, regardless of the number of courses completed, so students who have the time to accelerate can finish faster, saving both time and money.

For more information, visit texas.wgu.edu/MATEnglish.

About WGU Texas 
As the state's only online, competency-based university, WGU Texas offers accredited bachelor's and master's degrees in today's high-demand fields. WGU Texas's model is unique—rather than earning degrees based on time spent in class, students advance toward their credential at their own pace by demonstrating competency. Most degree programs are charged at a flat rate of $3,000 per six-month term.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of WGU, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Learn more at texas.wgu.edu  or call 1-877-214-7011.

Follow WGU Texas:
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Contact for media inquiries:  
Holly Subervi, PR Manager                
512-225-6652 or 512-965-4500
holly.subervi@wgu.edu

Contact for enrollment information:
877.214.7011
texas.wgu.edu

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SOURCE WGU Texas