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/or 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 prerequisite 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.

STEM Education Certificate

Location(s): Online, Tahlequah, Broken Arrow

OSRHE Program Code: 022
CIP Code: 131316
Certificate Code: 7721
Embedded in Master of Science in Science Education

Purpose

Students can complete the embedded certificate as a part of their Science Education, M. Ed. program. The certificate is also available for students in the Mathematics Education, M. Ed. and Instructional Leadership: Professional Enhancement, M.Ed. programs through guided course selection. The STEM Education Certificate program is designed for people interested in STEM Education including:

• Informal educators such as those professionals working at zoos or museums.
• Teachers who hold an initial teaching certification in any discipline K-12 or are pursuing alternative certification (*This program will NOT lead to an initial teaching certification).
• Teachers in STEM areas: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
• Teachers in non-STEM disciplines who are interested in gaining knowledge and skills associated with STEM education.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Utilize knowledge of STEM and 21st Century Skills to implement innovative pedagogy.
2. Acquire an understanding of a body of knowledge related to improving instructional effectiveness and the supporting research evidence, including its strengths and its limitations.
3. Create and implement appropriate experiential-based learning opportunities that facilitate student mastery of standards-based STEM content
4. Acquire leadership skills in STEM areas.

Admission and Retention

Students must be admitted to the Graduate College. Individuals interested in only earning the STEM certificate, but not currently enrolled in a graduate program at NSU, can apply for Graduate College admission for the purpose of pursuing the STEM certificate.

At least 25 percent of the coursework applied to this embedded certificate must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.