Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Students
Certified teachers and others seeking a
M.Ed. in
Natural Science/Science Education
(P-12 Teachers)
should see
Prospective Students.
Students with bachelors degrees (at least) seeking to prepare to teach science
may reach their goal either by completing an initial certification program only or
by completing a masters degree (M.Ed.) with certification. In general, all students
planning to teach science in Washington’s public schools must complete a certification program
and qualify for endorsement to teach one or more specific subject(s). It is generally
advisable to be endorsed in more than one area in order to improve your employability.
For detailed and current information on admission to and requirements of the
certification programs, please see the appropriate listings of the
Woodring College of Education. To be assured that you will
qualify for endorsement in your desired discipline please see endorsement assessment (below).
Here are three reasons for prospective graduate students to be at this page.
Either they wish to earn certification with endorsement to teach science while
earning the Masters in Education as well. In that case they should examine
material relating to
endorsement to teach science
and to the MIT.—certification program in the
Woodring College of
Education.
Or they are
already certified to teach and wish to
enhance their teaching capacity specifically in science.
Or they
wish to enhance their capacity to teach in a non-school setting, especially in
environmental studies.
In the latter two cases the relevant
degree program is the
M. Ed.—Natural
Science/Science
Education (P-12 Teachers).
Master of Education—Natural Science/Science Education (P-12 Teachers).
Who should
apply?
Those applying
for the program are normally expected to have a teaching certificate and have
completed at least one year of teaching in a grade P-12 prior to the quarter
they will enter the program. Exceptions
are made on a case-by-case basis for those having non-traditional teaching
experience or who wish to prepare for other positions for which this degree
program would provide obvious benefits (informal, workshop, and field teaching
situations, for example).
Application:
Graduate School
Email to:
Graduate.SchoolAdmissionApplication@wwu.edu
Telephone: 360-650-3170 (Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Program Description
This unique education program is housed in the
College of Science and Technology and taught by faculty in the sciences and
education. It is focused on helping practicing teachers of science advance their
careers by (1) improving their instruction through advanced study/research/field
work, (2) gaining familiarity with current research on student learning and new
developments in curriculum and assessment, and (3) developing their leadership
skills. Secondary teachers can specialize in biology, chemistry, geology,
physics, or general science. Elementary teachers concentrate on general science
with the option of becoming curriculum resource specialists by completing
additional requirements. Middle school teachers are invited to enter either the
elementary or the secondary program after discussing their options the program
advisor.
Prerequisites
Students applying for admission to the
Natural Science/Science
Education (P-12 Teachers) M.Ed. program are normally expected to have a teaching
certificate and to have completed at least one year of teaching in the P-12
system prior to entering the program. Elementary teachers are expected to have
completed at least one course in each of the science areas (biology, chemistry,
earth science, and physics). Secondary teachers are further expected to have an
undergraduate major and a subject endorsement in their area of specialization.
(General science teachers should have an endorsement in one or more of the
natural sciences. A major in a science field is highly desirable.)
Admission
In addition to the Graduate School Required materials for
admission, each student is required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and
submit a statement of personal career goals and reasons for seeking admission to
the program.
Program Requirements
There are two possible tracks towards the M.Ed. in
Natural Science/Science Education
(P-12 Teachers), Thesis or Field Project(I:48 credits) or Research
Project, Non-Thesis (II:48 credits).
Core requirements:
- EDU 501, 506
- IT 503
- SCED 501, 513, 515 (I, II:
22)
Focus (electives) under advisement (I II: 20)
- Emphasis in specific disciplines, pedagogy, assessment
or science education research. At least 11 credits must be taken at the
500 level.
Option I
- Thesis or Field Project---SCED 690a or 690b (6-12 credits)
Option II
- Research Project---SCED 598 (6 credits)
Is financial support
available?
In addition to
other channels for financial assistance, three Teaching Assistant positions are
available to qualified applicants. If
you wish to be considered for a TA position, please contact
Dr. George Nelson.
Time
Frame.
The Program is
designed so that a student can complete it during the regular academic year,
during summer term only, or in a
combination of the two. As a 45 credit
graduate program, a full-time student could readily complete the work in one
calendar year or in 3-4 summer terms. Core courses are staggered to
assure that all are offered in any given
calendar year or in any two successive summers or academic years.
Who should be contacted for
specific questions?
Contact the
Graduate Committee Chair,
Dr. George Nelson.
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