Academic Programs Catalog

College of Education

Department of Teacher Education

Graduate Study
Science Education - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Science Education, which is administered by the Department of Teacher Education in the College of Education, is designed for doctoral students who are interested in developing expertise in science education across and within a range of theoretical and methodological perspectives. Cognition, sociocultural, and feminist-critical perspectives along with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies are studied.

Persons who hold degrees in a wide range of disciplines may apply for admission to the certificate program. Applicants without sufficient science or science education background will be required to complete collateral course work or demonstrate proficiency through other means. Collateral course work will not count towards the certificate program. Review of applicants focuses on their study and experience in science and education, on the compatibility between their professional goals and the certificate program, and the potential for successful advanced degree work.

With approval of the College of Education, the certificate is available as an elective to any qualified student who is enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Natural Science, or the College of Education.  Students must complete the Intent to Enroll form on the program Web site. Students must meet the requirements of the certificate specified below, in addition to the requirements for the student’s Doctor of Philosophy degree program.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Science Education

               
1. Both of the following courses (9 credits):
TE 936 Topics in Research on Teaching and Learning Science 6
TE 937 Topics in Social, Historical, Philosophical Foundations of Science Education 3
Students will enroll in two 3-credit enrollments for Teacher Education 936.
2. Students must complete a project under the supervision of a Teacher  Education science education faculty member. College of Education students may fulfill the project requirement through a science education-focused research practicum by enrolling in Teacher Education 995 for 1 to 3 credits. Students outside the College of  Education can meet this requirement by enrolling in a 1-credit section of Teacher Education 990 Independent Study experience with a Teacher Education faculty member.