Graduate Education Programs
Draft Version
This is a DRAFT catalog for review and advising purposes. Items in this catalog draft are subject to change until the catalog for 2024-2025 academic year will be officially published on August 19th, 2024. The statements set forth in this catalog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract between a student and this institution. Should changes in a program of study become necessary, those changes will be applied liberally by the institution while the catalog is in draft mode.
Professional Master of Arts in Elementary Math, Science, and Technology Education
Sherri Morris,
Program coordinator
The Professional Master of Arts (PMA) degree program in Elementary Math, Science, and Technology Education is a professional master’s degree for elementary (K-8) teachers. With a primary focus on building teachers' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content knowledge and skills, the program offers teachers learning experiences that will allow them to enhance their competence as teachers of mathematics, science, and technology. The program’s goal is to prepare teachers who are leaders in Math, Science, and Technology Education who are committed to providing all students the best educational opportunities possible. Graduates of the program will be able to:
- demonstrate significant growth in their math and science content mastery
- integrate technologies as tools of math and science instruction
- design and implement inquiry-based approaches to instruction that respond to the needs of a diverse student population
- translate real-world events and phenomena into effective instructional practices
- use various forms of assessment to inform their work in the classroom
- exhibit the attributes of self-efficacy consistent with being a life-long learner related to being a math, science, and technology educator
- use research to inform practice
- provide service to the education community as a teacher leader.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements of Graduate Education and hold current teacher certification. Students progress through the program as a cohort. A new cohort will begin no more than once per calendar year. Check with Graduate Education for the next cohort start date.
Degree Requirements
The program requires 33 hours of graduate-level courses to be completed in 33 months. Students are expected to successfully complete a STEM Education Project (MST 685) that integrates appropriate demonstrations of research and leadership skills and inquiry-based teaching and learning as part of the comprehensive assessment of their learning in the program.
Sample Course of Study
Summer I
- MST 600, 601, or 609 Science Through Inquiry - 3 hrs.
- MST 610 Math Through Inquiry - 3 hrs.
- MST 611 Directed Research in Science & Math Internship - 1 hr.
- MST 612 Introduction to Teacher Leadership - 1 hr.
8 hours
Fall I
Elective (to be determined) - 3 hrs.
3 hours
Spring I
MST 650 Inquiry-based Curriculum: Development and Analysis - 3 hrs.
3 hours
Summer II
- MST 620, 621, or 629 Science Through Inquiry II - 3 hrs.
- MST 660 Research in Math and Science - 2 hrs.
5 hours
Fall II
MST 670 Action Research: Methods and Practice - 3 hrs.
3 hours
Spring II
Elective (to be determined) - 3 hrs.
3 hours
Summer III
- MST 680 Nature of Inquiry and Innovation - 3 hrs.
- MST 681 Advanced Teacher Leadership - 2 hrs.
- MST 685 STEM Education Project - 1 hr.
6 hours
Fall III
MST 685 STEM Education Project - 2 hrs.
2 hours
Total hours required 33
Electives
MST 630 Teaching Science Using Robotic Platforms
MST 631 The Science of Foods and Nutrition
MST 632 The Science of Matter
MST 633 Pharmacology and the Human Brain
MST 634 Crime Scene Science
MST 635 The Science of Global Climate Change
MST 636 The Science of Computer Games
MST 637 Scientific Myths and Misconceptions
MST 639 Special Topics