Science Education Program
Academic Advising
The 36-hour MAT-SE program stresses training in the art of teaching and advanced knowledge in the natural science selected for major specialization. The program is designed for individuals with significant ability in a discipline and a serious commitment to teaching. Emphasizing current issues in science and education, the program goal is to merge educational theory and scientific practice to prepare educators to foster a thorough understanding of concepts and the ability to process knowledge. Graduates at all levels (K-life) in private/public schools, community colleges, universities, business and industry, will be prepared to take the lead in determining the interdisciplinary perspective needed to interpret and manage the diverse requirements of science education, an area of critical importance across Texas and the nation.
In the MAT-SE program, the principles of hands-on inquiry and teacher-as-researcher transfer directly into the classroom as students observe and participate in diverse educational settings. Real-world experience integrates the core concepts of science and mathematics with the subtleties of pedagogy that spring from allowing students to construct their own knowledge. That said, you will want to discuss options for your customized degree plan with experienced faculty and staff within UTD's Science Education Program ~ and also with folks who participate in your local setting, including friends and family!
If you completed the pre-admission MAT-SE Online! Interest Inventory, it is already on record in the Science Education Program office and will be matched to your application when you are admitted to the university and program. With this profile in hand, the program advisor will contact you to design your degree plan and discuss other questions! Or you can contact the department directly to request a conference:
Science Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
Email:
SciEd@utdallas.edu
Dr. Cynthia Ledbetter primarily advises online students, while Ms. Barbara Curry mainly assists onsite students. Both advisors - and perhaps others - are on call to discuss your goals and guide your studies. And they know that your plans can change... We are all here to help you succeed, so please don't struggle or agonize over schedules and courses. It is your responsibility to maintain an open and honest channel of communication with your advisor (and supervisors and instructors).
Refer to the current graduate catalog for requirements and the current course schedule for offerings.
As an online degree-seeking student, you will be pursuing the MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING (M.A.T.) DEGREE IN SCIENCE EDUCATION (Thesis). All students seeking the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Science Education degree by writing a thesis must satisfactorily complete the following requirements (minimum of 36 graduate semester hours). In addition to coursework requirements, students must submit, no later than the second semester of enrollment, an acceptable research proposal to the supervising committee. Upon completion of the thesis research, the candidate will publicly defend the thesis. The thesis is directed by a Supervising Professor and must be approved by the Head of the Science/Mathematics Education Department.
No more than two of the four courses required for a primary science area may be taken during a summer field trip. No more than 15 hours will be accepted for transfer credit. Under appropriate circumstances, the Department Head may make substitutions for portions of these requirements.
Science Education Courses (15 hours)
- SCE 5301 Critical Issues in Science Education
- SCE 5305 Evaluating Research in Science Education
- SCE 5308 Research Design and Methodology
- SCE 8398 Thesis (A minimum of six semester hours in thesis research) and submission of an acceptable thesis which warrants publication in peer reviewed journals, scholarly books, monographs or the equivalent.
Science Content Courses (21-28 hours)
- Primary Area: 12-16 hours in biology, chemistry, geosciences, or physics.
- Secondary Area: 9-12 hours in biology, chemistry, geosciences, or physics. Prerequisites (3 hours)
Three hours of statistics (STAT 5353 or acceptable equivalent) must be taken as a prerequisite to enrolling in research hours.
