Master of Science in Science Education & Master of Science in Mathematics Education

These MS degrees are designed for a variety of students with academic backgrounds including but not limited to mathematics, the sciences, agriculture, environmental sciences, forestry, fisheries and wildlife, oceanography and ecology.

Coursework for both degrees can be completed entirely on-line.  Some courses also may be offered on-campus.

There are two types in each of these MS degrees: the School-Based Master’s program for K12 teachers and other school personnel and the Free-Choice Learning Master’s program for educators in settings where learners choose the learning environment and determine engagement time. 

SCHOOL-BASED Master of Science degree is designed for:

• Science and/or mathematics teachers pursuing advanced knowledge in the profession.
• Secondary science and/or mathematics teachers preparing as secondary curriculum, instruction, or professional development specialists, department heads, and/or other supervisory or research-oriented positions;
• Elementary or middle level teachers increasing subject-specific knowledge, preparing as curriculum, instruction, and/or professional development specialists;
• Entry into the doctoral program provided the prerequisite requirements for the doctorate are met, i.e., grade point average, teaching and/or supervisory experience commensurate with career goals and adequate background in basic science and mathematics subject matter content.
• For information, consult Dr. Nam Haw Kang, kangn@science.oregonstate.edu

FREE-CHOICE LEARNING (FCL) Master of Science degree is designed for:

• People preparing for careers working in museums, science centers, interpretive centers and other contexts where participants choose the learning environment and determine engagement time;
• Educators expanding knowledge in developing and evaluating outreach programs emanating for example from university departments, museums, or businesses;
• School-based educators wishing to specialize in the development and use of community-based resources including speakers, field trips, or other outreach programs;
• Entry into the doctoral program provided the prerequisite requirements for the doctorate are met, i.e., grade point average, teaching and/or supervisory experience commensurate with career goals and adequate background in basic science and mathematics subject matter content.
• For information, consult Dr. Shawn Rowe, shawn.rowe@oregonstate.edu

Credit Requirements

For the Master's degree in Science Education or Mathematics Education, the student must complete a program of study totaling not less than 45 credit hours of approved graduate credit courses. Two-thirds of the work (30 credit hours) must be in the major and one-third (15 credit hours) in an appropriate minor.

Of the 45 hours in the program: at most six (6) blanket numbered credits (50X and 60X) are allowed; at most 15 accredited graduate credits can be transferred into the program from other accredited universities or from prior to admission to the graduate program upon the approval of the graduate committee and the Graduate School.

The residence requirement for the master’s degree is 30 graduate Oregon State University credits after admission as a degree-seeking graduate student. These 30 graduate credits must appear on the master’s degree program. (This requirement does not include credits reserved as an undergraduate or post baccalaureate student, credits taken as a post baccalaureate or graduate non-degree-seeking student, nor transfer courses.) Deviation from the residence requirement requires a petition to the Graduate School.  The term ‘residence’ refers to the identification of the credits as earned at Oregon State University and includes on-line courses completed by students physically residing elsewhere.

Rules and regulations may change. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed about rules and regulations and to meet all deadlines and requirements.  Please see Graduate Student Information at :
http://catalog.oregonstate.edu/Default.aspx?section=Graduate

Specific Requirements

Major Department: Science and Mathematics Education
Major Field: Science Education or Mathematics Education

MAJOR includes a minimum of 30 credit hours distributed as follows:

• 9 credits of core coursework in science and/or mathematics education
  • Curriculum [Science SED 598, Mathematics SED 588, 3 credits]
  • Assessment [SED 595, 3 credits]
  • Research [SED 580, 3 credits]
• 9 credits of project or thesis   
  • A. Project option (9 credits)
    • Advanced Teaching Strategies [Science SED 593; Mathematics SED 594, 3 credits]
    • Professional Development in Math and Science Education [SED 597, 3 credits]
    • Mathematics/Science and Free Choice Learning Practicum designed to address professional objectives and may include K-12 classrooms, college teaching, science centers, museums, summer camp, SMILE, or other teaching and learning environments. [Mathematics SED 581, Science 592, 3 credits]
  • B. Thesis option (9 credits)
    • Thesis SED 503 for a minimum of 6 credits
    • Research tool [statistics or qualitative methods for a minimum of 3 credits]
• The Graduate Committee will work with the student in identifying coursework to meet the degree goals. SED 582, 583, 584, for example, would be appropriate for students interested in Free Choice Learning. Students interested in mathematics or science education could enroll in courses such as SED 520, 564, and 565. Other examples include related areas in education or additional subject matter coursework.

MINOR includes a minimum of 15 credits from any approved major or minor at OSU or may be an integrated minor.

Recommended minors are from the content fields such as biology, chemistry, geoscience, mathematics, or physics.  Science Education or Mathematics Education minors are possible but students must select an option such as K-8, middle level, or secondary.

 

Program of Study

A master's degree student must file a program of study with the Graduate School before completing 18 graduate credits. The program is developed under the guidance of the major professor and minor professor and signed by those professors and the chair of the academic unit before filing in the Graduate School. See the Graduate Catalog for details.

Program of Study

A master's degree student must file a program of study with the Graduate School before completing 18 graduate credits. The program is developed under the guidance of the major professor and minor professor and signed by those professors and the chair of the academic unit before filing in the Graduate School. See the Graduate Catalog for details.

Example Programs of Study

A typical rate of progress would be to enroll in one course each academic quarter and two courses during the summer for three years in order to complete the minimum 45 credits of graduate study for a Master's degree.   Required courses are starred (*).

An example program of study for on-line Master’s degree with focus on
K-12 science or mathematics education:

 

Summer	Fall	Winter	Spring
2 electives	SED 565: Inquiring into Science and Mathematics Learning and Teaching	*SED 588/598: Curriculum: Mathematics or Science	Elective such as SED 589: Dynamic Spreadsheets
2 electives	*SED 593/594: Advanced Teaching Strategies: Science or Mathematics	Elective such as SED 520: Integrating Technology and Literacy in Learning Math and Science	*SED 595: Assessment and Evaluation
2 electives	*SED 597: Professional Development in Mathematics and Science	*SED 580: Research and Evaluation	*SED 581/592: Professional Development and Practicum in Mathematics/Science (Capstone Project)

 

An example program of study for on-line Master’s degree with focus on
free-choice learning:

Summer	Fall	Winter	Spring
2 electives	*SED 582: Personal Dimensions of Free-Choice Learning	*SED 583: Social Dimensions of Free-Choice Learning	*SED 584: Physical Dimensions of Free-Choice Learning
2 electives	*SED 593/594 Advanced Teaching Strategies: Science or Mathematics	*SED 588/598 Curriculum: Mathematics or Science	*SED 595 Assessment and Evaluation
2 electives	*SED 597: Professional Development in Mathematics and Science	*SED 580: Research and Evaluation	*SED 581/592: Professional Development and Practicum in Mathematics/Science (Capstone Project)

 

On-line SED electives include:
SED 520:    Integrating Technology and Literacy in Learning Math and Science
SED 564:    Engineering and Science in the Lives of Students
SED 565:    Inquiring into Science and Mathematics Learning and Teaching
SED 567:    Designing Problem-Based Curricula
SED 589:    Topics in Mathematics Education such as: Dynamic Spreadsheets
SED 599:    Topics in Science Education such as: Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences

Students should consult with their advisors to seek approval for courses outside the department (including OSU courses and from other university graduate courses). 

Language

A foreign language is not required for the M.S.

 

Project/Thesis

On campus students may elect either a project or thesis option. Students enrolled in the on-line Master’s program must undertake the project option. The major professor must approve the proposal for a project prior to being undertaken. The student’s committee must approve the proposal for a thesis. A thesis is recommended for any on-campus student considering doctoral work. See the Graduate Catalog for details.

Final Oral Examination

The final oral examination is scheduled for two hours. Not more than half of the examination period should be devoted to the presentation and defense of the thesis or project; the remaining time should be spent on questions relating to the student's knowledge of the major and minor fields. The examining committee consists of three members of the graduate faculty—two in the major field and one in the minor field. A fourth member, a Graduate Council representative, is required for the thesis option. Students who do not reside within commuting distance of campus should consult with their major professor to make appropriate arrangements for the conduct of the examination. See the Graduate Catalog for details.

Course Catalogue and Schedule of Classes:

Once admitted, students can enroll in both on-campus and on-line courses. Please see the OSU Catalogue for a full list of SED courses and program descriptions.

Please see the Schedule of Classes for the current course schedule for online courses
and on-campus courses.

Application for Admission

To apply for admission, see: http://oregonstate.edu/admissions/graduate.html 
The department major codes to use when applying for admission are 6100 for Science Education and 5620 for Mathematics Education.

The Department of Science and Mathematics Education must receive the following information before an application decision can be made:

1. Graduate admission application. Use major code 6100 for Science Education or 5620 for Mathematics Education.  This information is automatically transferred to the department upon submission of your application to the Office of Admissions.
2. Your résumé
3. Transcripts from each institution of higher learning you attended (we can accept kiosk copies, but if you are admitted, you will need to provide official sealed transcripts to the Office of Admissions)
4. Letter of interest that must include but is not limited to
   
   • exposure to educational context of interest (e.g. teaching in public school or jobs in a museum),
   • statement of goals, and
   • ways the degree supports the stated goals
5. Statement of objective.  A good objective statement answers questions:
   • For what degree are you applying?
   • What are your main qualifications?
   • What are your career goals?
6. Three letters of recommendation

Financial Information

For information about costs, please look at:

• this ECampus website for information about on-line courses.
• For on-campus costs.
• For financial aid information for the on-line program.
• For financial aid information for the on-campus program.