The School of Education offers a master of science (MS) degree in science education. The program continues the professional development of licensed, experienced science teachers by expanding their knowledge base in three domains (science pedagogy and curriculum studies, science content, and educational foundations); enhancing the teaching skills and expanding the repertoire of instructional strategies of science teachers; increasing teachers’ awareness of contemporary issues and trends in science education; and preparing teachers to assume leadership roles in their schools and in the larger science education communities. The programs serve secondary-school science teachers (science majors or minors with teaching certificates in science) and elementary school teachers with a science major/minor and science endorsement. The MS in science education is not a certificate-granting degree; certification and teaching experience in the field are required for admission.
Program Requirements The program includes a major in science education and supporting areas in both science and educational foundations.
Science education and science courses are scheduled over a three- or four-year cycle in summers; education courses are available in summers and during the academic year. Students should ordinarily expect to take one science course, one education course, and one or two science education courses each year (six to nine credits). When enrollments warrant, science education and science classes are scheduled during the academic year. Some classes are available via distance learning during the academic year.
Applicants must have an undergraduate science major or minor, certification to teach science, and at least one year of teaching experience at the level of their certification prior to admission into the science education program. Applicants also should have a GPA of 2.75 or higher in previous science courses and meet all NMU graduate program admission requirements.
For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Education department page.
| Total Credits Required | 35 |
| Science Education Component | 17 |
| Required Courses | 11 |
| ED 500A Educational Research | 3 |
| EDSI 521 Effective Teaching of Science | 2 |
| EDSI 522 Technology-Assisted Science Instruction | 2 |
| EDSI 523 Current Issues in Science Education | 2 |
| EDSI 525 Laboratory Investigations and Demonstrations in Science | 2 |
| Elective Courses | 6 |
| EDSI 541 Teaching Physical Science (2 cr.) | |
| EDSI 542 Teaching Life Science (2 cr.) | |
| EDSI 543 Teaching Astronomy and Space Science (2 cr.) | |
| EDSI 544 Teaching Earth Science (2 cr.) | |
| EDSI 595S Special Topics in Science Education (1 - 4 cr.) | |
| Science Component | 9 |
| EDSI 561 Basic Principles of Science | 3 |
| EDSI 562 Modeling in Science | 3 |
| EDSI 563 Contemporary Scientific Issues | 3 |
| Or comparable science content courses as approved by the adviser | |
| Educational Foundations Component | 6 |
| Education course(s) approved by the adviser | |
| Master's Project or Thesis* | 3 |
| EDSI 594 Master’s Project in Science Education or | 1 - 3 |
| EDSI 599 Thesis in Science Education (1 - 3 cr.) | |
* Students may elect to conduct either a master's thesis (EDSI 599) or a master's project (EDSI 594) to complete the program. Registration for at least one credit of ESDI 594 or EDSI 599 is required during each term in which the candidate is working on a project or thesis. Once a student registers for EDSI 599 or EDSI 594, he/she must continue to register for at least one credit of EDSI 599 or EDSI 594 every semester until the thesis or project has been accepted by the graduate faculty.
Bulletin Year:
Fall 2007 - Summer 2009 Graduate Bulletin
| View the current NMU Catalog.