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Welcome to the Science Education Program at Western
Washington University. Included here is information to assist you in
deciding whether Science Education is for you, as well as information to get
you started in our Program. Please explore all the links provided throughout
this site. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Why science education?
Science, many will argue, is
the defining element of our 21st century world. Since its beginnings as an
intellectual enterprise in the late middle ages, science and its
discoveries
have driven the most dramatic period of change in human history—for good and,
unfortunately, for bad. Whatever our role in society, a knowledge of the nature
and fundamental concepts of science is critical to our most successful
participation in that society. Leading every person to that status is the job of
science educators at all levels of our education system. Good teaching of
science, hence good science teachers, is critical to the well-being of the
world’s people (and our world, as we prefer it). It is a truly honorable
enterprise. Good science educators must know and understand the
discipline they teach and its core methods. They must also know and understand
principles of good pedagogy. And they must enjoy the continuing company of young
people. Thus preparing to teach science is a considerable intellectual
undertaking, not to be taken lightly. So it is a worthy intellectual
challenge. Good science educators are in demand. Throughout Washington
and the Nation, there is a continuing need for truly capable science educators.
That will be especially true for the next several years, according to national
projections, as the teachers hired to respond to the "baby boom" reach
retirement age.
For more information, see Career Options.
How is Western’s Program
special?
At Western, preparation of
science teachers is a joint enterprise of the science departments in the
College of Science and Technology and of the Woodring College of Education.
Rather than learning science concepts in one context and teaching principles
and practice in a separate context, as in many programs, you will learn
to teach science by studying with practicing scientists who
also know its pedagogy. The Science Education Group is comprised of faculty in
the following departments: biology, chemistry, geology, physics, elementary
education, and secondary education. Each has a doctoral degree in the discipline
of the department in which they reside. And each has specific training and
experience in both science and its teaching. Content and teaching knowledge are
integral and mutually reinforced.
Program Options
There are several routes to
preparing to teach science. All require a major, or its equivalent, in one
of the natural sciences leading to endorsement AND all require preparation
for certification. For details on major programs at
Western Washington University, see Plans
of Study. For questions regarding endorsement only, see endorsements.
For details on procedures for obtaining certification see Woodring College of
Education.
For information about each of
these options, see Plans of
Study.
Declaring a Science Education
major
If you
are thinking of declaring any science major, we encourage you to do so
as soon as possible in order to establish a plan of study. The study of
science is hierarchical, that is one course must precede another in proper
sequence if you are to be successful. Failure to plan almost inevitably leads to
delay.
Criteria for Declaring:
You may declare a major in science
education at any time. However, be aware that successful completion of the
degree with certification will require a minimum of a 2.75 GPA overall and in
science courses. In addition, you must have a GPA of 2.75 to enter the teacher
preparation program in the Woodring College of Education.
Procedure for declaring:
Make an appointment with the advisor to the major of your choice, or drop by
during his/her office hour to sign up. For your initial advising session, to
establish a plan of study, plan to bring current transcripts and/or grade report
cards, including transcripts from colleges or universities other than Western.
And bring your Degree Planning Guide.
Graduate
Students
There
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).
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, two Teaching Assistant positions are
available to qualified applicants. If
you wish to be considered for a TA position, please contact Prof.
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, Prof. George
Nelson.
Huxley College of the Environment (Elementary, Secondary
and Residency)
Program Advisor
Dr. John Miles
For program information, see Environmental Studies in
Graduate School section.
Applying for a
Certification Program
Criteria for application:
You must be admitted to the
University, have completed at least 45 credit hours, have a cumulative GPA
of 2.75 or higher, have earned an adequate score on the SAT or ACT score
(this varies somewhat from year to year), have completed an English composition
course with grade of B- or higher, have completed an acceptable public speaking
course with a B- or higher, show evidence of a minimum of 5 days classroom
observation, show evidence of strong interpersonal communication skills, and
show evidence of "good moral character and personal fitness." (The application
requires candidates to answer several questions dealing with sexual offenses,
drug and alcohol offenses, and any other prior police records.)
Applying for a
Certification Program All students seeking certification, whether as undergraduate,
post-baccalaureate, or graduate students, must complete teacher
certification requirements. In order to do so, a separate application to the
Woodring College of Education is required. Detailed information on this
procedure can be found at the Woodring
College Admissions site.
Need help?
Ask. For questions
pertaining to majors or endorsements (science content knowledge and its
development) see Plans of Study. For questions pertaining to
certification see Elementary
or Secondary
advisor.
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