Science Education, M.Ed.

OSRHE Program Code: 139
CIP Code: 131316
Major Code: 7720

Purpose

The  M.Ed. in Science Education program enables K-12 teachers to become highly qualified teachers of science. The program requirements meet the needs of teachers who hold bachelor degrees in secondary science education, a science discipline, mathematics, elementary education, early childhood education, or special education and teachers who hold alternative certification. The Master of Education in Science Education is administered through the College of Science and Health Professions and is offered completely online.

Specialty Accreditation

NSU’s educator preparation programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), www.caepnet.org, (1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036-1023, 202-223-0077), and the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (840 Research Parkway, Suite 455, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-522-5399), www.ok.gov/oeqa

Credential Requirements

Courses in the Master of Education in Science Education do not represent all courses needed for a science teaching certificate for the State of Oklahoma. As a prequisite for program admission, candidates must hold or be eligible to hold a standard teaching certificate or teaching license or be eligible for an alternative certification program with a plan of study for certification on file with NSU’s Teacher Certification office.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Apply strategies to address a diversity of PreK-12 learners’ needs and how to engage them in effective instruction that includes inquiry-based teaching methods.
2. Demonstrate depth and breadth of understanding of fundamental concepts of science.
3. Create safe and supportive learning environments that promote equity and equal participation in the learning process.
4. Assess student learning and use the results to reflect upon practice and improve student achievement.
5. Demonstrate collegiality and leadership within the profession.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

Admission. Beyond admission requirements for the Graduate College, admission to the M.Ed. in Science Education requires:

1. Hold or be eligible for a standard teaching certificate or teaching license, or be eligible for the alternative certification program with a plan of study for certification on file with the NSU Office of Teacher Certification.
2. Earned grade point average of at least 3.0 based on a 4.0 system for the last 60 hours of coursework attempted at either the undergraduate or graduate level; or attained a scale score of 383 or more on the Miller Analogies Text; or attained a score of 288 (verbal plus quantitative) or more on the Graduate Record Examination.
3. Submit an application form that includes an essay addressing the individual’s teaching philosophy, personal goals, and career goals.
4. File a Degree Plan and sign a Statement of Understanding for this program.

Admission decisions are based upon the evaluation of all application materials submitted by the individual.

Advisement. The Graduate College assigns students an advisor upon admission to graduate studies. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make an appointment with the advisor prior to enrollment to discuss policies and procedures relevant to the degree program. Confering with the student, the advisor develops the plan of study, assists in the selection of classes, and counsels the student.

Retention and Graduation. Candidates for the Master of Education in Science Education degree must satisfy the following requirements:

• Continue to meet the Graduate College’s retention standards. See the Academic Information page for more information.
• Monitor degree progress using the degree audit system in the goNSU portal.
• Meet Graduate College policies detailed in Academic Information and Master’s Degree Requirements regarding GPA, minimum grades, coursework age, residency and institutional / state regulations governing degree conferral.