Master of Arts in Science Education (SCIM)

Advisor: William W. Cobern,
Room 3245, Wood Hall

The Master of Arts in Science Education is designed for school science teachers who wish to expand their teaching skills, as well as for students beginning their work toward a Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education.

Admission Requirements

The minimum admission requirements to this degree program are: (1) an undergraduate major in science or science education and (2) teacher certification. Applicants not meeting these requirements may be admitted provisionally. Please contact the Director. However, satisfactory completion of necessary undergraduate science and/or education courses will be needed before enrollment in the required graduate courses. These requirements are in addition to the general admission requirements of the Graduate College.

Applicants should also write a one-two page statement on their education background, teaching experience, and reasons for seeking a master’s degree in science education.

Program Requirements

The program consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work. Each student’s program is planned in consultation with the advisor and consists of the following:

1. Twelve (12) semester hours of graduate level science,

which may include up to six credits of summer science workshops. By advisor permission, a student may substitute up to six hours of science at the 3000-4000 levels.

2. Twelve (12) semester hours of science education,

to include

SCI 6145 - Introduction to History and Philosophy of Science for Teachers Credits: 3 hours
SCI 6155 - Science Education: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives for Teachers Credits: 3 hours
SCI 6165 - Cognition and Teaching Credits: 3 hours
SCI 6260 - Curriculum Studies in Science Education Credits: 3 hours

3. Select Six (6) semester hours of one of the following:

Six semester hours of science content with permission of advisor.
OR

SCI 7000 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 1 to 6 hours
OR
SCI 7100 - Independent Research Credits: 1 to 6 hours

Thesis or Project

The thesis or project is completed under the direction of a major advisor and a thesis or project committee. The major advisor and committee members are chosen by the Institute director in consultation with the student, and the Institute faculty. It is anticipated that teachers working in the program will choose to do a project involving their classrooms. Students planning on further graduate study may pursue a thesis; the thesis might be preliminary work on a doctoral dissertation. The thesis or project topics must be approved by the committee. The committees and topics are subject to the approval of the deans of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate College.