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Posted: 4/22/21

New TAMIU Ed Tech Specialization Offers Graduate Degree Tightly Focused on Post-Pandemic Future

 

Dr. James O'Meara
Dr. James O'Meara, Dean, College of Education  

Just as the Pandemic elevated technology’s role as a strategic partner in education, trained educators with an Ed Tech Specialization will be the change agents to lead long-term sustainability and innovation in the classroom, says Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Dean of the College of Education, Dr. James O’Meara. 

“Our shared COVID-19 Pandemic experience has served to underscore the power and reach of technology.  We can safely assume that it has also changed education forever.  That’s why it is important that our educators, parents and others embrace opportunities to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the developing post-Pandemic space,” Dr. O’Meara said.

The College’s Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization  in Educational Technology (M.S. in C&I, Ed Tech) is an online program dedicated to helping graduate students do just that…and shape the future of education, he noted.

“Whether you’re a leader in the classroom, working in school administration, someone looking to transition into a curriculum specialist role, or a parent delivering homeschooling, this program will help you learn how to create and deliver effective and engaging lessons for all students in a virtual environment,” O’Meara said.

He noted that programs like the M.S. in C&I, Ed Tech also help the State of Texas meet future obligations.

“One of the many things that our shared Pandemic experience has done is to lay bare some of the deficits that exist.  One of those is a lack of capacity for those able to deliver teaching experiences via educational technologies.  By increasing the number of people with this capacity, we will help to ensure that Texas meets the State-required tech standards upheld by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE),” O’Meara explained. 

Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Jennifer Coronado, detailed the program.

“This program looks at the principles of instructional design, so a technological background is not required. The coursework focuses not only on where to use educational technology, but also how to apply it through an everyday process of teaching, learning and assessment. The curriculum also incorporates accessibility—preparing graduate students to  use assistive and adaptive technology to effectively teach diverse learners,” Dr. Coronado explained.

She said the  program is applicable to educators beyond K-12 classroom settings, including digital learning specialists, curriculum designers and corporate trainers, among others.  It is delivered online, featuring 7-week courses and six start dates each year for added convenience to graduate students.

Applicants must hold  a bachelor's degree and submit transcripts verifying a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. International transcripts can be evaluated and official transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted. 

O’Meara said that as the nation and world move to recovery, now is the time to prepare for the future.

“We’ve been through over a year of challenge to education on all fronts.  We always need to be able to prepare for the next challenge and be equipped with the knowledge and tools we need to address the challenges that will likely come,” he concluded. 

For additional information on TAMIU’s online M.S. in C&I with a Specialization in Educational Technology, visit https://online.tamiu.edu/programs/ms-ci-educational-technology.aspx

Additional program questions can also be addressed at 844-872-8712 or by email at

GraduateSchool@tamiu.edu