Educational Technology: Student Handbook

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Welcome to student handbook for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Technology at Texas State University. This guide is for new and current students in the program.

Last Revised: 1/10/25

Graduate Catalog

Graduate Catalog: This is where you go to get answers to almost all of the questions you have about graduate programs, requirements, rules, etc. Bookmark this link and use it for reference. You are responsible for knowing what is in the catalog.

What Classes Do I Need to Take and When Are They Offered?

EDTC Course List: A complete list of required EDTC courses (24 hours) and additional courses allowed for the cognate (6 hours).

As a Texas State University Accelerated Online Program (AOP), all of our classes are offered in an 8-week, asynchronous format, and classes can be taken in the first 8 weeks (Semester A) and second 8 weeks (Semester B) of the traditional spring and fall semesters. Additionally, classes are offered during an 8-week session in summers. The course rotation is designed so that you can finish the degree in a little over a year if you take 2 classes every 8 weeks, or in 2 years if you take 1 class every 8 weeks. If you are working/teaching and/or have other responsibilities and obligations, we recommend taking 1 class every 8 weeks (or, at least, to start with that to see how you can handle the extra load of graduate classes).

Here is the schedule of courses over the next few semesters, with a few notes:

  • You should take EDTC 5310 (Introduction to Educational Technology) in your very first 8-week session.
  • EDTC 5334 (Online Course Design) is an optional class that would count toward your cognate.
  • EDTC 5345 (Internship) is an optional, special class that is only scheduled when needed. If you are interested in doing an internship, contact your advisor. The internship can only be taken near the end of your program. It would count toward your cognate.
Spring A 2025Spring B 2025Summer 2025Fall A 2025Fall B 2025Sping A 2026Spring B 2026
CI 5390XX
EDTC 5310XXXXXXX
EDTC 5315XX
EDTC 5320X
EDTC 5325XX
EDTC 5330X
EDTC 5334 (Elective/Cognate)X
EDTC 5335X
EDTC 5340X

What is the Cognate?

The EdTech Cognate is 6 hours (2 classes) of elective credits. The best way to think of the cognate is to think of it as related courses in a subject area from program or departments other than EdTech. It is similar to a minor in an undergraduate program. However, whereas a minor is an established set of classes from a single department, the cognate will let you choose courses from multiple disciplines that are related in some way to your interests in education and educational technology.

Important: If you are receiving financial aid, courses must be on the degree plan before you register for classes. If a course is not on one of the approved lists below, contact the program coordinator to determine if that course to your cognate.

If you would like to concentrate on:CoursesNotes about the courses
If you would like to concentrate on:
Education in general
Courses
Choose 6 hours from CI 5306, CI 5312, CI 5314, CI 5333, CI 5363, ADED 5321, DE 5324, ADED 5344, DE 5375, DE 5382, EDCL 5339, EDCL 5340, EDCL 5345, EDCL 5348, RDG 5324, RDG 5340
Notes about the courses
You can basically mix and match any of the courses listed depending on your interests. (most of the CI classes listed are offered both on-campus and online) Many classes are also offered at the Round Rock Higher Ed Center
If you would like to concentrate on:
Adult Education
Courses
Choose 6 hours from ADED 5321, ADED 5344, ADED 5382, DE 5324, DE 5375
Notes about the courses
Many of students who plan on teaching on the community college level or work with adults in general enjoy these classes.
If you would like to concentrate on:
Educational Administration
Courses
Choose 6 hours from EDCL 5339, EDCL 5340, EDCL 5345, EDCL 5348
Notes about the courses
EDCL can be fairly picky about the order in which you take these classes and often enforce their prerequisites
If you would like to concentrate on:
More Edtech
Courses
Choose 6 hours from EDTC 5334, EDTC 5341, plus two additional courses
Notes about the courses
Our two newest courses can be counted in the cognate and then you will choose two additional courses from above.

Does This Program Offer Teacher Certification?

No, this is a master’s program only, primarily designed for teachers who are already certified, or for students who have career plans other than to be a K-12 teacher.

How Long Will it Take to Complete the Program?

As an Accelerated Online Program (AOP), the minimum time to finish the program is five 8-week sessions (1 year if you include summer) if you take 2 classes in every 8-week session. You can also take 1 class every 8 weeks and finish in 2 years (again, if you take summer classes). The maximum amount of time allowed by the university to complete a master’s degree is 6 years. How quickly it will take you to finish depends on how much time you have to dedicate to graduate school.

Our recommendation is to start with 1 class in your first 8 weeks, and then judge how well you can handle the extra load of graduate classes before deciding if you want to take 2 in future sessions. If you are working full time and/or have other responsibilities, we recommend sticking with 1 class every 8 weeks. Most of our EdTech courses are project intensive, so you will be busy! Graduate classes take a considerable amount of outside study and project work to complete successfully.

Also, remember, you must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (B) to remain in a graduate program, and anything less than that will result in academic probation and/or suspension. It is better to do well in a one class at a time than mediocre in two.

Are There Assistantships and Scholarships?

Many students ask about assistantships and scholarships that are available through the university and program. Below is general information about each.

Assistantships

The EdTech program does not have any dedicated assistantships but you can apply for a Curriculum & Instruction department assistantships. (Educational Technology is a program in the C&I Department.) Assistantships for the C&I Department are offered once per year and are usually due around June 15 for the following year.

See the Grad College’s Graduate Assistantship page for more information on assistantships.

Scholarships

There are many opportunities for scholarships from both the university and the College of Education.

Financial Aid

For a full list of all financial aid opportunities, see the university Financial Aid & Scholarships page.

Who is My Advisor, and Who Can I Go to If I Have Questions?

Dr. Douglas Holschuh (email: dh61@txstate.edu) is the program coordinator for the EdTech graduate program, as well as your academic advisor. If you have any questions about the program, it's probably best to contact me first. If I don't have the answer, I'll put you in touch with someone who does. Many questions can be handled on email, but I'm also available to talk to students on Zoom. If you're a new student and we haven't met on Zoom yet, contact me so we can do that. And if you're a continuing student and we haven't talked in a while, let's!

How Can My Advisor Help Me?

You may find graduate-program advising a bit different than undergraduate advising. Obviously, administrative and academic advisors still play a part in navigating degree programs and their requirements, but don't expect your advisor (or your program's coordinator) to be too much of a hand-holder. There's a general expectation that grad students will be mature self-starters who can navigate the ins and outs of the program, from administrative tasks to academic pursuits. Depending on your program, this may mean making a lot more decisions about course choices and how to structure your studies than you ever did at the undergraduate level.

It's not that advisors won't help you; they certainly will (and many campus services, from financial aid to crisis counseling, are still available to grad students). But as a grad student you will have more autonomy and less guidance. You will be primarily responsible for ensuring that you finish assignments and meet deadlines, plan your thesis/dissertation or final project, and maintain enrollment status, while also handling all the non-school issues, from relocation adjustments to keeping the rest of your life in order. In fact, many grad students view their graduate studies as a full-time job. (Originally from http://www.idealist.org/info/GradEducation/Resources/Preparing/WhatChanges, but seems to be gone now.)

What Your Advisor Can Help You With

  • Answer common questions not covered in this document or in the Graduate Catalog.
  • Direct you to resources or someone who knows the answer to your question.
  • Petition the Graduate College to change a degree plan (cognate courses only).
  • Help you choose a course from a list you are considering in your cognate.
  • Set up your e-portfolio exit presentation.

Because we are both an EdTech and an online program, most of your advising will be handled via email or on Zoom. However, if you are in the Austin metro area (which includes San Marcos), it is sometimes possible to make a face-to-face appointment.

How Can I Keep Track of My Degree Plan?

Check Your Degree Audit

To see your degree plan, which includes courses you have taken and courses you still need to take:

  1. Go to CatsWeb for Students.
  2. Under the heading Academic Records, click Degree Audit.
  3. After you enter your login info, follow the links to your degree audit.

What is the Portfolio Requirement?

The portfolio is a cumulative project that displays your work, artifacts, and reflections over the span of the program. It is the exit exam (or comprehensive exam) for the Educational Technology master’s program. The portfolio will be presented during the semester that you plan to graduate to the Educational Technology program faculty.

See the EdTech Portfolio Guide for more information.