STEM Education, Master of Science in Education
Offered by STEM Program
Program Information and Admission Requirements
This degree is administered by a committee of representatives from the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Cyber Systems, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics and Astronomy, and Teacher Education.
The Master of Science in Education Degree in STEM Education is offered for students in science and math teaching professions who wish to deepen their knowledge in science/math content as well as technology, curriculum, and research. Students must be certified to teach in an area of science or mathematics and meet the general requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Innovation to be eligible for this program. A student interested in pursuing the M.S.Ed. Degree in STEM Education should contact the program coordinator for specific information concerning admission criteria and degree work. All courses for a program of study should be chosen in consultation with an academic advisor prior to enrollment by the student.
Course Requirements
The program consists of 30 credit-hours of courses: 9 credit hours of teaching professional components (Educational Curriculum, Research, and Technology courses), 18 credit hours of academic components (Integrated Option or Discipline-Specific Option) and a 3 credit hour capstone course.
Integrated Option consists of 6 credit hours in each of two disciplines (Biology, Chemistry, Cyber Systems, Mathematics and Statistics, Physical Science/Physics, or Technology) plus 6 hours of electives, also from science and/or math disciplines.
Discipline-Specific Options are focused on a single subject (Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physical Science/Physics, or Technology) with18 credit hours from that discipline.
Selection of the course options for a specific program should be made with the advisor before enrollment in the courses to develop the most effective and efficient program.
Admission Information
To qualify for work on this degree, a student must have an endorsement in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Natural Science (including those labeled "Science"), Physics, or Physical Science and meet the general requirements for entrance to graduate studies. Applicants with middle-grades endorsements may be admitted depending on their level of undergraduate science and math preparation. Admission to degree work is contingent upon evaluation of the following:
- Transcripts
- A letter of intent that addresses the following statements: "Describe your current teaching position and discuss how completing the UNK STEM M.S.Ed. program will help you meet your educational and professional goals. Summarize your undergraduate science, math, and education training and how it has prepared you for our program. If your current teaching certificate or license is from a state other than Nebraska, include a brief explanation of the certification/licensing requirements in your state."
- Evidence of current or most recent teaching certification or license
This program is offered online only.
All students are required to complete an exit survey during the semester of graduation or program completion.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Components | ||
| Curriculum Course | ||
| TE 804 | Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education 1 | 3 |
| or TE 809P | Curriculum Implementation | |
| Research Course | ||
| TE 800 | Foundations of Research: Methodologies and Practices for Educational Inquiry | 3 |
| Technology Course | ||
| TE 805P | Overview of Assistive Technology | 3 |
| or TE 886P | Digital Technology for Educators | |
| Capstone Course | ||
| STEM 888 | STEM Education Capstone | 3 |
| Degree Option Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Integrated Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Content Area | ||
| Select 6 credit hours from one content area: Biology, Chemistry, Cyber Systems, Mathematics, Physics/Physical Science, Statistics. 2 | 6 | |
| Second Content Area | ||
| Select 6 credit hours from a second content area: Biology, Chemistry, Cyber Systems, Mathematics, Physics/Physical Science, Statistics. 2 | 6 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 additional content credits: Biology, Chemistry, Cyber Systems, Mathematics, Physics/Physical Science, Statistics. 2 | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Biology Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Take 18 hours from BIOL 800-899. 2 | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Chemistry Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Core | ||
| CHEM 805 | Chemical Management & Safety | 1 |
| Complete 4 out of the following 5 areas: | 11-12 | |
| Inorganic Chemistry Area - Take 3 hours from: | ||
| Principles of Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Transition Metal Chemistry | ||
| Fundamentals of Nanoscience | ||
| Organic Chemistry Area - Take 3 hours from the following: | ||
| Advanced Principles of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Biochemistry Area - Take 3 hours from the following: | ||
| Principles of Biochemistry | ||
| Analytical Chemistry Area - Take 3 hours from the following: | ||
| Principles of Analytical Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry Area - Take 2 hours from the following: | ||
| Chemical Kinetics | ||
| Chemistry Electives | ||
| Take any additional 800-level CHEM courses. 3 | 5-6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Math Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Take 18 hours from MATH 800-899 or STAT 800-899. | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Physical Science / Physics Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Take 18 hours from PHYS 800-899. | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Technology Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TE 880 | Educational Leadership in Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| BSED 802P | Career Education Multimedia Applications | 3 |
| CYBR 800P | Exploring Computer Science Principles | 3 |
| CYBR 834P | Information Technology Teaching Methods | 3 |
| CYBR 878P | Cybersecurity for Managers & Leaders | 3 |
| or CYBR 890P | Information Networking Law and Public Policy | |
| TE 876 | Integration of Curriculum and Digital Technology | 3 |
| or TE 877 | Digital and Online Learning Environments | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
- 1
Technology Option students must take TE 804 to meet non-P graduation requirements
- 2
BIOL, BSED, CHEM, CYBR, MATH, or PHYS (see exceptions below)
BIOL course exceptions: 820, 831, 831A-F, 871P, 876, 881, 896
BSED – only applicable course is 802P
CHEM course exception: 896
CYBR – only applicable courses are 800P, 834P, 878P, and 890P
MATH course exception: 896P
- 3
Total credits for the Chemistry option must equal 18