Graduate Catalog

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GRADUATE STUDENTS: GRADUATE CATALOG : Academic Programs

Science Education



	Description

	Degrees Offered

	Admission

	Master of Arts in Science Education

		Biology Track

		Chemistry Track

		Community College Teaching Track

		Middle School Science Track

		Physics Track

	Master of Education in Science Education

	Contact Info

Description

The Science Education program offers Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in Science Education.

The M.Ed. degree program is designed to meet the advanced knowledge and skill needs of certified secondary science teachers, enabling them to expand their subject matter knowledge and professional teaching skills.

The M.A. degree program was created to allow those not certified to teach secondary science (such as non-education majors or previously certified teachers in another field) to become effective teachers of secondary science. It offers tracks in biology, chemistry, physics, middle school science, and community college teaching.

The Science Education programs are dedicated to providing all graduates with exceptional pedagogical and subject matter knowledge and skills by focusing on research-based, state-of-the-art best practices in secondary science education.

Degrees Offered

Biology Track
Chemistry Track
Community College Teaching Track
Middle School Science Track
Physics Track

Master of Education in Science Education

Admission

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).

Applicants to the M.Ed. program must (1) have completed all course requirements for Florida state teacher certification in the program's subject area and/or grade range, or (2) present a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate upon admission to the program. Applicants who have graduated from an accredited university or college teacher certification program in another state or country, in the appropriate subject and/or grade range, may also be admitted to the M.Ed. program at the discretion of the program director.

Students may not switch from an M.A. program to an M.Ed. program, or vice versa, without going through the university's admission process. Courses used to gain initial state certification may not be transferred into an M.Ed. program.

Application Due Dates

All students applying for fellowships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.

U.S. Applicants

Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Arts in Science Education Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Biology Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Chemistry Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Community College Teaching Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Middle School Science Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Physics Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Master of Education in Science Education Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

International Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Arts in Science Education Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Biology Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Chemistry Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Community College Teaching Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Middle School Science Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Physics Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Master of Education in Science Education Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

International Transfer Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Arts in Science Education Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Biology Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Chemistry Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Community College Teaching Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Middle School Science Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Physics Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Master of Education in Science Education Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Master of Education in Science Education

33 Minimum Credit Hours Required

Area A: Core—9 Credit Hours

EDF 6401 Statistics for Educational Data (3 credit hours) OR
EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3 credit hours)

Select one course from the following list:

EDF 6155 Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3 credit hours)
EDF 6517 Perspectives on Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6608 Social Factors in American Education (3 credit hours)
ESE 6909 Research Report or 2 approved electives (2,1 or 6 credit hours)

Area B: Specialization—9 Credit Hours

Electives approved by adviser

Area C: Curriculum—12 Credit Hours

9 credit hours approved by adviser
SCE 6238 Inquiry in the Sciences (3 credit hours)

Master of Arts in Science Education

36 Minimum Credit Hours Required

Students must choose one of five track options:

Option 1: Biology Track (grades 6-12)
Option 2: Chemistry Track (grades 6-12)
Option 3: Community College Teaching Track
Option 4: Middle School Science Track (grades 5-9)
Option 5: Physics Track (grades 6-12)

Biology Track (Grades 6-12)

Required Courses—36 Credit Hours Minimum

Area A: Core—18 Credit Hours

EDF 6155 Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3 credit hours)
EDG 6236 Principles of Instruction (3 credit hours)
EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6608 Social Factors in American Education (3 credit hours)
LAE 5337 Literacy Strategies for Middle and Secondary Teaching (3 credit hours)
TSL 5373 Teaching Language Minority Students in K-12 Classrooms (3 credit hours)

Area B: Specialization—12 Credit Hours

SCE 5632 Issues and Methods in Secondary School Science (3 credit hours)
IDS 6933 Seminar in Teaching Mathematics and Science (3 credit hours)
Electives approved by adviser (6 credit hours)

Students are required to have 30 credit hours of science course work to meet certification requriements to teach science in grades 6-12. Only six hours of independent study courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements. It is important to see an adviser if courses are difficult to schedule in content areas.

Area C: Internship—6 Credit Hours

SCE 6946 Graduate Internship (6 credit hours)

Additional Program Requirements

All students must complete a portfolio according to program guidelines. This portfolio requires demonstration of professional growth, reflection, and proficiency in the 12 Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. Portfolio defense will be a part of IDS 6933.

Pass all required sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination prior to graduation.

Chemistry Track (Grades 6-12)

Required Courses—36 Credit Hours Minimum

Area A: Core—18 Credit Hours

EDF 6155 Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3 credit hours)
EDG 6236 Principles of Instruction (3 credit hours)
EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6608 Social Factors in American Education (3 credit hours)
LAE 5337 Literacy Strategies for Middle and Secondary Teaching (3 credit hours)
TSL 5373 Teaching Language Minority Students in K-12 Classrooms (3 credit hours)

Area B: Specialization—12 Credit Hours

SCE 5632 Issues and Methods in Secondary School Science (3 credit hours)
IDS 6933 Seminar in Teaching Mathematics and Science (3 credit hours)
Electives approved by adviser (6 credit hours)

Area C: Internship—6 Credit Hours

SCE 6946 Graduate Internship (6 credit hours)

Additional Program Requirements

Pass all required sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination prior to graduation.

Community College Teaching Track

The Community College Teaching Track in this program is designed for individuals whose goal is teaching science at the community college level. Every attempt is made to build at least the required 18 hours of graduate-level science courses into the program of study. Only six hours of independent study courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements. It is important to see an adviser if courses are difficult to schedule in the content area. Students electing this track will not meet state requirements for teacher certification in middle school (grades 5-9) or secondary (grades 6-12) science.

Required Courses—42 Credit Hours Minimum

Area A: Core—15 Credit Hours

Students in this track should consult with the Community College Teaching Track adviser regarding Core requirements prior to registering for Core courses.

EDF 6155 Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3 hours)
EDF 6401 Statistics for Educational Data (3 hours) OR
EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research Education (3 hours)
EDF 6517 History and Philosophy of American Education (3hours)
ESE 6909 Research Report (2 hours)
ESE 6909 Research Report (1 hour)

Area B: Specialization—27 Credit Hours

(Electives must be approved by adviser)

Middle School Science Track (Grades 5-9)

Required Courses—36 Credit Hours Minimum

Area A: Core—18 Credit Hours

EDF 6155 Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3 credit hours)
EDG 6236 Principles of Instruction (3 credit hours)
EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6608 Social Factors in American Education (3 credit hours)
LAE 5337 Literacy Strategies for Middle and Secondary Teaching (3 credit hours)
TSL 5373 Teaching Language Minority Students in K-12 Classrooms (3 credit hours)

Area B: Specialization—12 Credit Hours

SCE 5325 Teaching Middle School Science (3 credit hours)
IDS 6933 Seminar in Teaching Mathematics and Science (3 credit hours)
Electives approved by adviser (6 credit hours)

Students are required to have 18 credit hours of science course work to meet certification requirements to teach science in grades 5-9. Only six hours of independent study courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements. It is important to see an adviser if courses are difficult to schedule in content areas.

Area C: Internship—6 Credit Hours

SCE 6946 Graduate Internship (6 credit hours)

Additional Program Requirements

Pass all required sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination prior to graduation.

Physics Track (Grades 6-12)

Required Courses—36 Credit Hours Minimum

Area A: Core—18 Credit Hours

EDF 6155 Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3 credit hours)
EDG 6236 Principles of Instruction (3 credit hours)
EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6608 Social Factors in American Education (3 credit hours)
LAE 5337 Literacy Strategies for Middle and Secondary Teaching (3 credit hours)
TSL 5373 Teaching Language Minority Students in K-12 Classrooms (3 credit hours)

Area B: Specialization—12 Credit Hours

SCE 5632 Issues and Methods in Secondary School Science (3 credit hours)
IDS 6933 Seminar in Teaching Mathematics and Science (3 credit hours)
Electives approved by adviser (6 credit hours)

Area C: Internship—6 Credit Hours

ESE 6946 Graduate Internship (6 credit hours)

Additional Program Requirements

Pass all required sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination prior to graduation.

Financial Support

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Key points about financial support:

If you're interested in financial assistance, you're strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. All admitted graduate students are automatically considered in this nomination process. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program director of your major.