Texas Tech University

Advancing K-12 STEM Master Teacher Leadership (Basic) - Graduate Certificate

Advance your career FAST with this Graduate Certificate

This graduate certificate develops K-12 STEM teacher leaders in less than one year using 5-week (summer), 8-week (advanced), and 15-week (traditional) courses. This graduate certificate is an excellent opportunity for any in-service STEM teacher to grow their skills in K-12 curriculum, instruction, assessment, leadership, advocacy, and mentorship to develop and support themselves and others as STEM teacher leaders.

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Learning Model

Online

Credit Hours

15 credits

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Tuition Estimates

Average In or Out of State

$415-500 per credit hour

Tuition rates are based on your residency determination of Texas Resident, Non-Resident, or Foreign. Please consult the Admissions site for more information.

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About This Certificate

Catalog and Course Details

This graduate certificate offers a unique opportunity for any in-service STEM teacher currently in training or transitioning to a leadership role (e.g., instructional coaches, curriculum developers, PD providers, Education Service Center personnel) to cultivate and amplify their skills in curriculum, instruction, assessment, leadership, and mentorship to develop and support themselves advocate for and others as STEM teacher leaders.

These five courses (15.0 hours) would apply to the 36.0 hour M.Ed. in C&I, STEM Education Concentration degree plan (i.e., three required track concentration courses and two of the three required C&I elective courses). Students from any M.Ed. or Ph.D. track in C&I are welcome to apply!


Key Courses

ESTM 5371: Curriculum and Instruction in STEM Education

This course guides exploration of STEM curricula: what it is, who writes it, who makes decisions about it, who field tests it, what content should be learned, and how teachers can prepare for proper enactment.

ESTM 5372: Standards and Assessment in STEM Education

This course guides exploration of current issues related to standards, multiple dimensions of assessment, and the processes of assessment in STEM education.

ESTM 5376: Teacher Leadership and Advocacy in STEM Education

This course provides students opportunities to garner and apply knowledge, skills, and dispositions in K-12 STEM teacher leadership and subsequent advocacy activities.

EDCI 5309: Mentoring Models for New Professionals

This course contains selected mentoring models of well-conceived introduction programs that offer practitioners a valuable tour of the mentoring landscape. Emphasis is placed on professional support and development.

EDCI 5312: Collaborative Communities in Mentoring

This course is designed to assist those planning to teach or work in professional settings in acquiring a perspective dealing with the theory and practice of professional learning communities.


You Have Questions? We Have Answers!

When are the Graduate Certificate Courses available?

Certificate Courses Fall
(15 or 8 Week)
Spring
(8 Week)
Summer
(5 Week)
ESTM 5371*    
ESTM 5372*    
ESTM 5376    
EDCI 5309*     ❌ Summer II
EDCI 5312     ❌ Summer I 

Courses with an asterisk represent courses can be bought out with experience. Courses in bold are required courses.

What are 5 Week and 8 Week courses?

  • 5-week courses are partial summer courses that cover the same material as a traditional 15-week class, but in one-third the time. They are only offered in summer I.
  • 8-week courses cover the same material as a traditional 15-week class, but in half the time. They are only offered in fall and spring terms.

I am working as an instructional coach and/or I hold national board certification in math/science, can I receive credit for these?

Yes! You may transfer in up to 6.0 hours of credit into this graduate certificate!

  • ESTM 5371 and ESTM 5372 can be converted to 6.0 hours of credit with National Board Certification in Mathematics or Science at either developmental level (at either the early adolescence or adolescence and young adulthood certification area) per TTU OP 30.10
  • EDCI 5309 can be converted to 3.0 hours of credit with evidence of your work as a school or district level instructional coach per TTU OP 30.10.

Why This Certificate?

Hand holding a pen drawing a network diagram.

System Thinker

Becoming a systems thinker means understanding how the various components in standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessment interact within complex systems—rather than disconnected concepts. Our graduates are prepared to tackle real-world challenges by identifying interconnected problems and designing robust, integrated solutions.

Speaker at a conference giving a presentation in front of an auditorium of listeners.

Leader Advocate

Engagement in leader advocacy drives innovation and shapes policy to ensure all students have access to high-quality STEM learning experiences. Our graduates have connected classroom learning to real-world career opportunities, partnered with communities and industries to identify and address local needs, and influenced policymakers to ensure that STEM education remains a priority.

Male and female teacher colleagues in a mentor relationship.

Professional Mentor

Serving as a mentor provides structured and supportive strategies that foster professional growth and a sense of community among STEM teachers. Our graduates become mentors who build relationships, offer encouragement, advice, and create networking opportunities that are essential for building teachers’ confidences and expertise in STEM curriculum and pedagogy.

More info about this program

Broaden and Deepen your Impact as a K-12 STEM Master Teacher Leader:

  • Increase Student Achievement. Schools with teacher leaders are strongly associated with higher student achievement; support colleagues in interpreting standards, collaborating on curriculum, learning new instructional practices, and analyzing student data.
  • Improve School Culture and Teachers’ Working Conditions. Teacher leaders are key to fostering a culture of collaboration and trust; garner the knowledge and skills to build a healthy, effective, and resilient K-12 STEM learning ecosystems.
  • Advance Your Career (While Staying in the Classroom). Teacher leadership provides a career pathway that doesn't require you to become an administrator; take on new challenges and responsibilities while remaining deeply connected to the daily work of STEM teaching.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Start your journey with Texas Tech today and unlock a flexible, career-focused education tailored to your needs. Have questions? We’re here to help!

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