Texas Virtual School Network

Those seeking TXVSN professional development without earning a master's degree should contact their academic advisor.

Students seeking a master's degree in Instructional Design and Educational Technology (IDET) will submit a graduate student application according to the College of Graduate Studies application process.

Information about course offerings, professional development, and participation in the TXVSN is available online at txvsn.org. Questions about the TXVSN should be sent to the TXVSN central operations at TXVSNCentral@txvsn.org or call 1-866-93-TXVSN (1-866-938-9876).

The Texas Virtual School Network is a clearinghouse of rigorous online courses offered by approved providers to supplement the instructional programs of public school districts and open enrollment charter schools. Because the Texas Education Agency approves all courses, students can be assured that courses meet the state's high standards for teaching and learning. Courses comprising the TxVSN program are reviewed to ensure they meet the state curriculum standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and the North American Council for Online Learning (iNACOL) national standards of quality for online courses.

All courses in the TxVSN network are led by an instructor that is Texas-certified in the course subject area and grade level and have completed a TxVSN approved professional development on effective online instruction. Obtaining the TxVSN professional development allows Texas-certified educators opportunity to design and teach courses in the TxVSN network.

Prior to teaching courses offered via the TxVSN, teachers are required to take TxVSN-approved professional development that specifically focuses on learning to teach effectively in the online environment. TEA has announced key partnerships to implement critical functions of the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN), including professional development for teaching online. TAMUCC's IDET program provides TxVSN approved professional development.

The program offers two three credit graduate courses for non-experienced online instructors: IDET 5360: Online Course Development and IDET 5365: Instructional Materials Development for Learning Management Systems. Students completing the courses obtain a great deal of new knowledge, skills, and concepts, which they can apply in creating their own TxVSN approved course offerings.

Courses are scheduled in seven-week course cycles. The TxVSN courses are offered every summer and potentially throughout the year.

Those taking the two IDET courses for TxVSN professional development earn three graduate hours for each completed course for a total of six IDET graduate hours. The TxVSN approved courses taken at TAMUCC can be applied to the University's Instructional Design and Educational Technology 36-credit Master of Science degree.