College of Science and Engineering
This program is not currently accepting new students for the 2011-2012 Academic Year. For further information, please contact Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Department, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, SL 220, Bellingham WA 98225-9155, 360-650-7605.
Goals
This program is focused on helping practicing teachers of science at all levels P-12 advance their careers by:
- Improving their instruction through advanced study, research and field work;
- Gaining familiarity with current research on student learning and new developments in curriculum assessment; and developing their leadership skills.
Prerequisites
Students applying for admission are normally expected to have a teaching certificate and to have completed at least one year of teaching in the P-12 system prior to entering the program. Elementary endorsed teachers are expected to have completed at least one course in each of the science areas (biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics). Secondary teachers are expected to have an undergraduate major or minor and a subject endorsement in their area of specialization. (General science teachers should have an endorsement in one or more of the natural sciences. A major in a science field is highly desirable.)
Application Information
In addition to the Graduate School-required materials for admission, each student is required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and submit a résumé and a statement of personal career goals and reasons for seeking admissions to the program. An on-campus interview may be requested by the program faculty.
Program Requirements (48 credits)
This option requires students to submit a proposal for a Thesis (690a) or a Field Project (690b) for approval by the student’s committee prior to registering for 690a or b. A thesis involves original research. A field project is a formal study carried out in a school setting. Both require the preparation of a formal document.
