Education & Chemistry/Science

Hi all,

A colleague of mine who teaches high school Chemistry wants to begin a masters degree program, however, she is looking for the right program. She does NOT want a masters degree purely in education, but rather a degree in TEACHING CHEMISTRY or Science Education with a focus in Chemistry.

I perused Ted's sticky post on MEd's, but did not really find one that fit this. If anyone knows of any, would you please share that with me?

Secondly, I was talking to her about an Interdisciplinary program like the one I'd be doing, but for Chemistry and something else. Perhaps Chemistry and Education, or Chemistry and some other science. Does anyone know of any programs that would fit that bill? Unfortunately, WMNU doesn't seem to do science courses in its program.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Western Governors University is an option for teacher, but their method of "instruction" is debatable... (not for everyone)

 

Would this do the trick?

http://www.life.umd.edu/grad/mlfsc/

"The Master of Chemical and Life Sciences is an online content-based masters program for high school science teachers that provides in depth knowledge of current research areas in the biological, biochemical and biomedical sciences. The courses cover subject matter as diverse as genetic engineering and gene therapy to chemistry, ecology and the concepts of biocomplexity. University faculty who are experts in the field will lead discussion sessions on topics of current interest with significant social impact. Topic examples include the positive and negative aspects of genetically engineered foods and their safety , the development of new energy sources and the ethical and moral issues involved in cloning and the handling of genetic information."

 

I don't know if it will or not, but I will certainly pass it on. Looks good to me though.

-Matt

 

Mississippi State University offers a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Sciences that is $274 a credit and has a variety of chemistry classes that can be taken as part of the program. Physics, biology, geosciences, and mathematics courses can also be taken as part of the program.

 

Yes, I had shown her that one. She liked it, but unfortunately, they aren't accepting applications until May or so. Their tuition is pretty reasonably priced though.

-Matt

 

Hi Matt - If your friend is especially open-minded she might look at this possibility,

http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=16789

 

Thanks... I'm not sure how she'd feel about that. In order for coursework to count for recertification, courses MUST be from a Regionally Accredited university. Obviously South Africa isn't. I know you can get an initial teaching license with an out of country degree but you have to jump through hoops and get the degree evaluated and such. While I've read good things about UNISA on this board, I don't know if it's worth the trouble for a teacher.

-Matt

 

You're probably right about that. On the other hand, if all she's looking for is a teaching recert then maybe she shouldn't be as picky as you've indicated. Any MEd will probably do.

 

The article is a bit dated but it provides a starting point. Also one can perform an internet search for "chemical education".


http://www.terrificscience.org/about/pdfs/surveyofdoc.pdf

 

Well, if she's going to fork out money for a degree, she wants it to be useful and applicable.

-Matt