The program of study at the master's degree level is designed to increase the professional competency of science and mathematics teachers and to provide the coursework necessary to meet standards of teaching certification at this advanced level. The Master of Science in Science Education degree is offered with an emphasis in biology, chemistry, mathematics, earth and environmental sciences, or physics. The program outcomes expressed in terms of student learning include demonstration of (a) graduate-level mastery of knowledge in the student's selected emphasis area; (b) the ability to integrate content knowledge into curricular, instructional, and assessment strategies for students at different educational levels; and (c) the ability to formulate, implement, and sustain changes in reforming science education to meet national standards at a school level.
Course Requirements (34 hours)
- Approved content hours in emphasis area (12-18 hours)
- Approved related emphasis hours (3-10 hours)
- SME 601 - Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education in Contemporary Perspective 3 hrs.
- SME 789 - Seminar 1-3 hrs.
- REF 601 - Educational Research: Interpretation and Applications 3 hrs.
- REF 602 - Introduction to Educational Statistics 3 hrs.
Prerequisites
In addition to meeting the Academic Requirements and Procedures, regular admission to the master's program in science education requires a bachelor's degree in any area of science (or a combination of science and professional education) and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate study with a 2.75 grade point average on the last 60 hours. A Mississippi Department of Education Class-A license is required if advancement to a Class-AA licensure is desired. Applicants are required to present to the Center Director for consideration verbal, quantitative and writing scores on the Graduate Record Examination, a résumé, three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant's readiness for graduate study and a one- to two-page statement of the applicant's teaching philosophy in the areas of knowledge to be addressed, teaching methodology, and assessment.
The Center honors a rolling admission deadline. Applicants must complete the online application through the Graduate School and supply all necessary documentation. Graduate applicants must complete the review process before the semester begins. Please review the academic calendar for class start dates.
Students who fail to meet the criteria for regular admission may be considered for conditional admission if the Program Admissions Committee, Center Director, Dean of the College, and Dean of the Graduate School are satisfied that the applicant shows promise of successfully completing graduate degree requirements. Regular admission will be granted with the completion of nine (9) semester hours of Southern Miss graduate work (500 level or higher of which 3 hours must be in SME) with a minimum of a B average on all courses taken while completing this nine (9)-hour requirement, the removal of deficiencies, and a positive recommendation from the student's adviser.
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