Science education
Master of education/professional studies
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies program in science education is designed for experienced science teachers who want to acquire advanced knowledge and leadership skills in the field of science education.
This graduate-level, practitioner-based program is offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
The program is flexible and can be tailored to accommodate individual needs. With guidance from faculty advisers, students complete at least 30 semester credits of work in three areas: a core academic program in education, courses specific to the area of science education, and elective courses. Requirements also include a school-based project examining a problem, issue, or topic identified by the student.
Courses at the University of Minnesota are offered at a variety of times, including late afternoons. Students may also enroll in courses offered during the summer and at off-campus school sites.
Admission
Admission requirements for this program include the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A 2.80 minimum GPA
- A written personal statement describing your career goals and rationale for interest in the M.Ed. program (limit two pages)
- A résumé
For application instructions, refer to the CEHD Application for Admission to M.Ed./Professional Studies Programs, available at the college’s office of Student Services, 150 Williamson Hall, 231 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu; or on the Web.
The college reviews applications on an ongoing basis. Application reviews for specific academic terms begin by the following dates. Students are encouraged to submit application materials to Student Services by these dates:
- November 1 for spring semester admission
- March 1 for summer session admission
- July 1 for fall semester admission
Applicants are typically notified of admission decisions four to six weeks after application deadlines.
Transfer credits
A maximum of 12 graduate semester transfer credits may be applied to the M.Ed. program. Credits may include any combination of the following coursework:
- Up to six graduate semester credits from fully accredited institutions other than the University of Minnesota for students enrolled at the University’s Twin Cities campus; up to nine graduate semester credits for students enrolled at the University’s Rochester campus
- Credits completed at the University of Minnesota before admission to the M.Ed. program
Transfer coursework must be completed at the graduate level and approved by a faculty adviser and the college. Workshop credits are usually not accepted for transfer to C&I programs. Contact the program’s faculty adviser for more information.
Curriculum
Students must complete at least 30 semester credits in the following areas:
Core requirements (9 cr)
Recommended course sequence:
- CI 5155—Contemporary Approaches to Curriculum: Instruction and Assessment (3 cr)
- CI 5351—Technology Tools for Educators (3 cr)
or alternate course approved by faculty adviser - CI 5186—School-Related Projects (3 cr)
To be taken at end of M.Ed. program; consult with faculty adviser.
Science education requirements (12 cr)
- CI 5533—Current Developments in Science Teaching (3 cr)
- CI 5534—Studies in Science Education (3 cr) To be taken toward end of M.Ed. program; consult with faculty adviser.
- CI 5535—Foundations of Science Education (3 cr)
- CI 5536—Equity, Policy, and Assessment in Science Education (3 cr)
Science electives (9 cr)
- With few exceptions, electives are selected from the following areas: science; the history, philosophy, or sociology of science; or courses relating to science and society.
After completing a majority of the required and elective courses, students independently complete CI 5186 under the faculty adviser’s guidance. It is recommended that CI 5186 be the last course in the program.
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule.
Registration
Currently admitted degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students may register online for coursework.
Students who want to begin M.Ed. coursework before admission to the M.Ed. program must complete a CEHD First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students packet [.pdf]. Packets are also available at the college’s office of Student Services, 360 Education Sciences Building, 56 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-3339; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.
Core faculty
For more program information, visit the C&I Web site or contact faculty members listed below:
Fred Finley, associate professor
Ph.D., Michigan State University
612-625-1362; e-mail: finle001@umn.edu
Gillian Roehrig, assistant professor
Ph.D., University of Arizona
612-625-0561; e-mail: roehr013@umn.edu
Bhaskar Upadhyay, assistant professor
Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
612-625-3286; e-mail: upadh006@umn.edu@umn.edu
Updated October 2008