The Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program provides a broad content-based science curriculum for the preparation of master teachers of science. The program is focused on contemporary, inquiry based science content and integrates the most current research findings on how students learn science. It encourages and models the skills of scientific inquiry, as well as the curiosity, openness to new ideas, and skepticism that characterize science. Some of the unique features of the program include a strong emphasis on contemporary science content; the use of inquiry-based learning; the integration of mathematics and technology; and the incorporation of the Next Generation Science Standards.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 12 |
| Concentration Requirements | 36 |
| Total hours required | 48 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Interpret and apply scientific explanations of the natural world that are relevant to teaching science in elementary and secondary schools.
- Generate and evaluate data that serves as scientific evidence.
- Recognize and apply crosscutting concepts that link the different science disciplines.
- Reason quantitatively and make quantitative arguments that support theories and models of the natural world.
- Apply research on teaching and learning science to their teaching practice.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Core Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| STEM 405 | ECOLOGY FOR TEACHERS | 4 |
| STEM 412 | FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE II | 4 |
| STEM 490 | SCIENCE TEACHING CAPSTONE | 4 |
Additional Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select nine of the following: | 36 | |
| MATHEMATICAL METHODS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS | ||
| TOPICS FOR TEACHERS | ||
| FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE I | ||
| LIGHT AND WAVES | ||
| CHEMISTRY FOR TEACHERS | ||
| CELL BIOLOGY FOR TEACHERS | ||
| EVOLUTION AND DIVERSITY FOR TEACHERS | ||
| PLANT AND ANIMAL BIOLOGY FOR TEACHERS | ||
| TOPICS IN LIFE SCIENCES FOR TEACHERS | ||
| ASTROBIOLOGY FOR TEACHERS | ||
| ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS | ||
| GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE FOR TEACHERS | ||
| HEAT AND ENERGY FOR TEACHERS | ||
| WEATHER AND CLIMATE FOR TEACHERS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FOR TEACHERS | ||
| TOPICS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
Program Graduate Academic Student Handbook
Academic Probation
A student is subject to academic probation as soon as his/her graduate cumulative GPA falls below 2.500.
Academic Dismissal
The student remains on probation until four more program courses are taken, at which time another evaluation is made. If at that time the student has failed to raise his/her cumulative GPA to the required level of 2.500, it is a violation of satisfactory progress. The student may be academically dismissed for poor scholarship and be prohibited from registering for additional course work.
A student who has been academically dismissed may, after a period of time, petition for reinstatement. The petition, addressed to the dean of the college, would provide information that would demonstrate a change in the student’s circumstances to an extent that would support successful completion of the student’s degree program. The dean’s decision, based upon the merits of the petition and the recommendation of program director, may, if favorable, stipulate conditions of reinstatement. The dean has the discretion to reject the request for reinstatement.
Readmission
If you were previously enrolled in a graduate program in the College of Science and Health but have not been in attendance for a period of one calendar year or longer, but not more than four calendar years, you must complete a readmission application with the Office of Graduate Admission. (If more than four calendars years have elapsed since you have been in attendance, you must file a new standard application.) The application must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the day of registration for the term in which you expect to resume your studies. Official copies of transcripts recording scholastic work taken while not enrolled at DePaul University must be submitted. As a policy, students are held to the degree requirements that are in force at the time of readmission.
Transfer Credit
In general, it is not encouraged that students seek to transfer in credit for the Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program. In exceptional cases, a maximum of twelve quarter hours (or eight semester system hours) may be transferred from another institution or program to count toward the graduate degree. Requests to transfer courses must be approved by the program director and associate dean for graduate studies. Transfer credit can only be awarded for graduate level coursework that has not counted toward the completion of a degree at DePaul or any other institution.
Undergraduate Courses
No undergraduate-level courses or credit may count toward MSSE graduate course requirements.
Graduation Requirements
You must have successfully completed all of the degree requirements as listed in the catalog under which you were admitted. Students need to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.500 to graduate.
Graduation with Distinction
To graduate with distinction from the MSSE program, students must have earned a cumulative 3.75 GPA or higher for coursework applied toward the MSSE degree.
Time Limitation
Graduate students in MSSE program is expected to complete their program degree requirements within a six-year period from the first registration date for a course in the program. When a graduate student fails to finish before the end of the sixth year, the department or program director may recommend, on receipt of the student’s petition, in writing, an extension of time with or without additional courses, examinations, or other conditions.