Graduate program

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers the Master of Science in Teaching in General Science degree (MST). The goal of the Master of Science Teaching (MST) in General Science is to advance the use and understanding of teaching NGSS standards-aligned science through graduate level coursework, and an active research program. The MST is administered within flexible guidelines to match the needs of students with varying backgrounds and professional experience. Graduate students work with faculty advisers to develop and carry out a science learning- and teaching-based research agenda.

The University requires that students complete 24 credits in graduate level science and nine to fifteen credits in education. For a more specific description of the course plan for the option I and option II MST in General Science, please refer the Center for Science Education webpage at http://www.pdx.edu/cse/mst.

Participants can receive up to $9,000 in funding for their practicum experience in the first year of either option one or two.

Option one is an MST program designed for those who are preparing to teach informal science in higher education, or already hold a teaching certificate. This program is suited to those who are current and future science educators desiring to enhance science teaching, and student learning assessment knowledge for Kindergarten through higher education settings, or individuals interested in science interpretation for the general public.

Option two is designed to compliment a licensure program and prepare students to teach science in K-12 classrooms. This two-year program is designed specifically for pre-service K-12 science teachers. The first year of this program includes the MST graduate level science content courses and classes which will support scholarship in the area of science education research with the completion of the master's science education research project or thesis. The second year of the program is primarily focused on the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP), where students complete the requirements to earn a recommendation for an Oregon Teaching Certificate.

In both Option I and Option II programs, students complete a thesis contingent on adviser approval. In order to fulfill degree requirements, the student must satisfactorily complete the degree programs, and pass their thesis defense.