2024-25 Graduate Catalog

Teaching: Science M.S.Ed.

CIP: 131316

In cooperation with the School of Education, an area of concentration in science is provided for teachers to teach science at the high school level. The purpose of the program is to help science teachers:

  1. Acquire increased competency in the science discipline area of life, physical, or Earth science.
  2. Develop additional skills and understanding of the art of good science teaching, including teaching special students.
  3. Study current trends and issues in education, and, in particular, science education.

Requirements

Core Requirements

EDUC 61649Issues in Education

3

EDUC 61641Data Literacy and Assessment for Schools

3

EDUC 61642Multicultural Education for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

3

EDUC 61667Practicum for a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum

3

Science Education Core

 
SCED 28682Seminar in Science Education

1

SCED 28684Science Assessment and Evaluation

2

SCED 28686Curriculum Development in Science

2

Graduate Courses in Major Area-13

13

Electives from 500- and 600-level courses in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, physical science, or science education - up to 18 credits if wanting duel credit eligibility.

Total Credit Hours: 30

Program Admission Requirements

1.  A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript OR an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 and a 3.0 GPA on six hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest in the major program where admission is requested.

2.   Valid teaching certificate OR 2 years prior teaching with a valid teaching certificate OR enrolled in an Alternative Certification program.

3.  Documentation of one of the following:

a)       3.5 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE OR

b)      successful completion of another Master's Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with at least a 2.75 GPA OR

c)       National Board Certification OR

d)      Successful completion of nationally normed educational performance assessment OR

e)      Department analytical writing assessment that is evaluated using a writing scoring guide based on the modified CUNY scales with a score of 4.0 or higher 

 

Extra Requirements

Writing Sample

Students must complete a writing assessment administered by the Department of Natural Sciences during their first trimester of enrollment. Any student who fails the writing assessment must repeat the assessment within three weeks. Any student who fails the second writing assessment will meet with the chairperson of the department to establish a program of remediation.

Advisement

A member of the graduate education faculty will serve as the major advisor. A graduate faculty member from the science education area will serve as an area advisor, and both signatures will be required on the Degree Audit Form. Any change in a Degree Audit Form must be initiated by the student and be submitted to the Graduate Office accompanied by written approval from both advisors.

Comprehensive Assessment

To meet exit comprehensive requirements, the School of Education and the Department of Natural Sciences are responsible for the scheduling, construction, and evaluation of their respective portions of the comprehensive examination. The content of the comprehensive examination will be equally divided between those courses required in education and the science discipline. The degree candidate must pass both portions of the examination. Students should contact the advisor for more information.

Research Component

A research component will be an embedded assignment in the educational coursework.