加州州立大学北岭分校

Program Description

The Master of Arts degree in Secondary Science Education is designed to prepare secondary science teachers for advancement to mentor teaching, supervision of student teachers, positions as science-teaching specialists or science-department chairpersons, and/or doctoral study, in addition to becoming more effective teachers. School districts frequently award salary increases to teachers who hold master’s degrees, and master’s degrees are usually required for part-time teaching at the community college or university level.

During this program, students: Experience and implement innovative science-teaching practices, especially drawing on reform methodology and curricula; Acquire greater fluency with educational technologies, including Internet resources, science-experiment simulations and graphing technology, in particular in the service of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning; Investigate current research in science teaching and learning and how it translates into practice; Conduct applied classroom-based research; Deepen their knowledge and understanding of broad issues, policies and controversies that impact schools in general and science teaching in particular; Develop as leaders in science education through presentations and participation in professional organizations and support networks.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in science for enhancing their diverse students’ learning; Students demonstrate theoretical understanding of teaching and learning science by reading and synthesizing educational theory and research in science education; Students demonstrate graduate-level research skills by designing, conducting, and presenting research ethically and effectively; Students critically analyze current issues in science, science education, and general education and how those issues impact schools; Students demonstrate leadership in science education.