STEM Education for Certified Teachers M.S.
Program Rationale:
The MS in STEM Education for Certified Teachers will prepare certified teachers in the trans-disciplinary areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Courses are aligned with National and/or CT state content standards in each discipline: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and the Common Core for Mathematics and Language Arts. This program does not lead to CT state teacher certification or cross-endorsement.
In line with the STEM philosophy, courses will integrate the STEM disciplines and provide teachers with the skills necessary to move away from the traditional way of teaching discrete subjects towards a more comprehensive way of addressing the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines for use in the classroom to prepare students for 21st century college skills and career readiness.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Graduate students are expected to demonstrate:
- Integrating and applying the practices of scientists and engineers into curriculum, instruction, and assessment for use in the classroom
- Understanding of the role of inquiry in curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Integrating the crosscutting concepts of STEM into curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Applying disciplinary core ideas of STEM into curriculum, instruction, and assessment for use in the classroom
- Constructing a research plan and carry out independent research on a STEM topic
Admission Requirements:
The MS STEM Education Program is for certified teachers who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must also have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.70 on a 4.00 point scale (where A is 4.00), or its equivalent, and good standing (3.00 GPA) in all post-baccalaureate course work. Teachers who do not teach one or more of the STEM disciplines (science, technology education, engineering education, or math) may be required to take additional content courses.
The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college and university attended (except Central Connecticut State University) must be submitted to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.
Course and Capstone Requirements
Core Courses
| STEM 501 | Applying Mathematical Concepts | 3 |
| STEM 506 | Problem Based Learning in STEM Education | 3 |
| STEM 517 | Robotics Applications in STEM Education | 3 |
| STEM 520 | STEM Practices in the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| STEM 521 | Engineering Design for STEM Education | 3 |
| STEM 530 | STEM Practices in the Earth/Space Sciences | 3 |
| STEM 540 | STEM Practices in the Life Sciences | 3 |
| STEM 598 | Research in STEM Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Other Related/Requirements
| MATH any 500 level content course with permission of advisor | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Electives
| Any 500 level Science, Technology Education, Engineering Education | 3 |
| or | |
| Math course with permission of advisor | |
| or | |
| SCI 580 | Topics in STEM Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Capstone
| STEM 595 | Action Research in STEM Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 33
Plan E: 33 credits