Liberal Studies with Core Subjects EC-6 Education, B.S./M.Ed.

The Fifth Year Option B.S/M.Ed. program provides students with an undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies Bachelor of Science with Core Subjects EC-6 Education and with a Master in Education degree with a concentration in Reading Specialist and Writing or in Second Language Education and Culture. By meeting requirements for the two degrees simultaneously, students are able to earn the B.S./M.Ed. in a shorter length of time than if each of these degrees were pursued separately. The combined 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 degree requirements of Liberal Studies Bachelor of Science with Core Subjects EC-6 Education. 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.

Available to Wesleyan undergraduates who are Liberal Studies Bachelor of Science with Core Subject EC-6 Education, the Fifth Year Option allows outstanding students to combine a bachelor’s degree with the Master of Education (M.Ed.), completing both in five years.

To be considered for admission to the Fifth Year Option, students must submit a Fifth Year Option application after they complete 90 hours at the University. Only Fifth Year Option applicants demonstrating superior undergraduate academic performance and strong recommendation for faculty members will be considered for admission to the Fifth Year Option.

If admitted to the Fifth Year Option, a student may complete up to 9 semester hours of the M.Ed. program during the fourth year of undergraduate study. The student’s Liberal Studies Bachelor of Science with Core Subject EC-6 Education will be posted and the student will continue in the M.Ed. program. During the fifth year at Texas Wesleyan University, the student will complete the remaining semester hours and requirements toward the M.Ed. degree, graduating with the M.Ed.

Enrollment in the Fifth Year Option must be continual and in consecutive semesters. If a Fifth Year Option student does not enroll continuously or consecutively, his/her degree plan will default to the standard 30-hour M.Ed. program.

Additional information on admission criteria, the admission process, and graduation from the program may be found in the University Catalog.

Modified GEC, Related Requirements and Major Requirements established for EC-6 programs.

Timeline for students who are considering the Fifth Year Option:

1. Financial Aid advising;
2. Apply for admission during/upon 90 hours completed;
3. Meet admission requirements, one-time spring admission;
4. Acceptance letter received;
5. Senior year schedule of undergraduate program as listed below:

   Fall first semester:

   Complete final undergraduate clinical teaching coursework

   One required graduate course and other undergraduate coursework as needed

   Spring second semester:

   Two required graduate courses

   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

   Spring sixth semester:

   One graduate course

   Total graduate hours 30

6. Successfully pass comprehensive exams spring or summer semester.
7. Graduate May or August of Fifth year.