Science Education, Ed.D.

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Objectives

To prepare a cadre of teachers and administrative staff who are capable of providing instructional leadership and who possess skills in curriculum development and in research in the teaching and learning of science.

To develop in participants a sensitivity to the characteristics and needs of urban students in general, and African-American students in particular, and to the peculiarities of urban environments and institutions, and the implications of these for the teaching and learning of science in such settings.

To effect positive changes in the teaching and learning of science at all levels of educational systems

Admission

Applicants seeking entry to the program must have:

A Master’s degree in Science or in Education. Applicants whose Master’s degree is in Education must have earned at least an undergraduate degree in Science.
Teacher certification is desirable.
Scores on Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller’s Analogy Test.
Grade Point Average: Undergraduate: minimum of 2.6. Graduate; minimum 3.0.
Classroom Teaching Experience: A minimum of 3 years of teaching experience is desirable.

General Requirements

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. Award of the degree is contingent upon completion of 63 credit hours inclusive of the Dissertation and the Practicum. Only courses in which a student has attained a grade of B or better will be counted towards the degree. A student who receives a grade of C in more than 3 courses may be asked to discontinue the program.
Students holding part-time registration will be allowed to take a maximum of 9 credit hours of course work per semester. Students holding full-time registration will be required to take a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester.
All candidates will be required to complete a practicum. The practicum will involve an intervention in some aspect of the teaching/learning of science at a selected educational level.
All candidates must pass written and oral comprehensive examinations. Candidates shall become eligible to sit for the comprehensive examinations upon successful completion of 42 credit hours of course work, 8 credit hours of which should be science content courses. Additionally, students must have removed any “I” or “F” grades. A student who does not meet acceptable standards for any aspect of the comprehensive examination may be allowed to repeat the examination only once.
Each degree candidate must submit a dissertation. When the dissertation has been completed to the satisfaction of the committee a dissertation defense will be scheduled during which time the candidate must orally defend his/her work before the entire dissertation committee.
All requirements for the Ed.D. degree must be completed within a period of seven (7) years. The granting of a leave of absence by the School of Graduate Studies does not automatically extend this limit.

Residency Requirements

Part-time candidates will satisfy residency requirements by completing eighteen (18) credit hours over consecutive semesters (not including summer). Full-time students will satisfy these requirements by completing two (2) consecutive semesters carrying at least nine (9) credit hours each semester.

Program of Study

The program consists of 6 components from which students must complete 63 credit hours.

The 6 components are:

Educational Foundations
Research
Science Education
Science Content
Dissertation
Practicum

The coursework components of the program are made up of CORE courses and ELECTIVES.

Course Requirements for Master of Arts in Higher Education

* denotes CORE course

Mathematics Content

Four courses at the 500 level or above in the Mathematics Department 12 credits.

Science Content

Courses at 500 level or above in a Science Department of the School of Computer, and Mathematical and Natural Sciences 12 credits.

Practicum

EDSM 641 - Practicum in Mathematics and Science Education 3 credits.

Dissertation

EDSM 998 - Dissertation Seminar
EDSM 997 - Dissertation Guidance