Science Education M.A.Ed

Science Education MAED Program Requirements

The degree of Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) is offered in several areas including Science Education. After a student has been admitted to the ECU Graduate School, the student may seek acceptance into the College of Education MAED program which houses the Science Education program. Procedures and forms facilitating the application process may be obtained from the Graduate School Office (252-328-1464) or by request via the web (http://www.ecu.edu/gradschool/). Minimum requirements for admission to the College of Education MAED program include:

Currently hold a license to teach.
Overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work from an institution accredited by a regional association.
Satisfactory entrance examination scores on either the GRE or MAT. This should be accomplished prior to completion of 9 hours of graduate credit.
Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant's academic competence or ability to do graduate work directly submitted to the Office for Research, Graduate Studies and Professional Development (Speight 154).
A writing sample submitted to the Office for Research, Graduate Studies and Professional Development (Speight 154).

Upon acceptance into the MAED program, the student will be assigned an adviser in the Science Education program. The MAED degree in Science Education will require completion of the following general requirements:

Thirty-six (36) semester hours of coursework
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00
Meet specific competencies required for advanced licensure

Students will be advised on specific courses to complete a program of study in Science Education for the MAED. A minimum of 36 semester hours with at least 18 hours at the 6000 level or above are required; several Core Courses are required while others are to be selected under advisement:

Twelve semester hours of professional education courses make up the MAEd core, including EDUC 6001; SPED 6002; SCIE 6500; and LEED 6000 or ADED/ELEM 6550.
Twelve semester hours of science education courses, including: SCIE 6020, 6200, 6310, and 6600.
Nine semester hours of coursework shall be selected from the fields of biological, physical, and earth sciences.
Three semester hours of thesis or project credits. All students will complete a research project or thesis. Students choosing the research report must complete SCIE 6505, 6506, or 6507. Students choosing the thesis option must complete SCIE 7000.

Science Education MAED Course Checklist

A minimum of 36 semester hours with at least 18 hours at the 6000 level or above are required. Core Courses are required while others are to be selected under advisement.

Professional Education Core Courses
(12 hours are required, selected from the following competency areas)

Research, Trends, and Issues Competency Area (3 s.h. required):
_____ SCIE 6500: Understanding and Engaging in Educational Research

The Diverse Learner Competency Area (6 s.h. required):
_____ EDUC 6001: Introduction to Differences in Human Learning in Schools
              AND
_____ SPED 6002: Addressing Differences in Human Learning in Schools

Effective Communication and Leadership Competency Area (3 s.h. required):
_____ ADED 6550: Leadership and Communication Skills in Education
           OR
_____ ELEM 6550: Leadership and Communication Skills in Education
           OR
_____ LEED 6000: Leadership and Communication

Science Education Core Courses
(12 hours are required, all of the following must be taken)

_____ SCIE 6020: Recent Trends and Issues in Science Education
_____ SCIE 6310: Advanced Methods in Science Teaching
_____ SCIE 6200: Environmental Science
_____ SCIE 6600: Action Research

Science Content Courses
(a minimum of 9 hours are required, select on advisement)

_____ Biological Sciences (BIOL prefix)
_____ Physical Sciences (PHYS prefix)
_____ Earth Sciences (GEOL prefix)
_____ Science Education Content Courses (SCIE prefix)

Master's Report or Thesis
(at least 3 hours are required)

_____ SCIE 6505: Problems in Elementary Science Teaching
_____ SCIE 6506: Problems in Secondary Science Teaching
_____ SCIE 6507: Problems in College Science Teaching
_____ SCIE 7000: Thesis (OPTIONAL)

Required Comprehensive Exam or Portfolio

MAED students are required to complete either the Comprehensive Exam or Portfolio.
Guidelines for these items are provided at the highlighted weblinks above, or from the Science Education Graduate Office.