Master of Science Education at East Carolina University

The Science Education at East Carolina University is a Master program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in Greenville , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 2 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on August 21, 2027.

About Master of Science Education

Do you want to learn and do more as a science teacher? Can you picture yourself becoming a leader among your fellow science teachers?

The MAEd degree program consists of 36 semester-hours of course work and a thesis or teacher research project (3 semester-hours). The program takes candidates two-and-a-half years to complete. The MAEd degree is appropriate for science teachers licensed at the "A" level and interested in pursuing advanced licensure (i.e., "M" level licensure). The entire program is delivered online. Past graduates of the program have gone on to receive National Board Certification, assume teacher-leadership roles in their schools and districts, pursue doctoral study in science education at prestigious universities, and/or become professional development leaders in NSF-funded science education reform projects.

There is a clear progression of courses in the program, and although entry to the program may occur during any term (spring, summer, or fall), the sequence of science education courses begin each fall semester, with education core classes being available for those starting other than the fall. Each science education course is offered over the course of a year, meaning that courses are readily available.

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Program Co-Coordinator: Bonnie Glass (352-D Flanagan Building; 252-328-9368; [email protected]) Program Co-Coordinator: Ron Preston (352-E Flanagan Building; 252-328-9355; [email protected])

The Science Education, MAEd is a program designed to develop advanced competencies in K-12 science education in the following areas: foundational content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, assessment and evaluation, diversity and equity. This practitioner-oriented program is intended to sharpen instructional expertise, develop research skills, explore current issues and promote leadership in science education. The desired outcome is preparation of specialized science educators, both formal and informal, who are able to support K-12 students' science learning.

The degree is administratively located in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Instructional Technology Education in the College of Education. For admissions requirements, check the ECU Graduate School website at https://gradschool.ecu.edu/.

The degree requires a minimum of 30 s.h. as follows:

Required core courses - 6 s.h.

SCIE 6500 - Understanding and Engaging in Educational Research
EDUC 6001 - Introduction to Differences in Human Learning in Schools

Science education courses - 24 s.h.

SCIE 6003 - Advanced Studies in Biological Science for Teachers
SCIE 6004 - Advanced Studies in Physical Science for Teachers
SCIE 6005 - Advanced Studies in Earth Systems Science for Teachers
SCIE 6020 - Perspectives on Science Education
SCIE 6030 - Technology in Science Teaching, Learning and Professional Development
SCIE 6310 - Advanced Methods in Science Teaching and Learning
SCIE 6320 - Advanced Assessment Methods in Science Education
SCIE 6600 - Teacher Research in Science Education

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. The assessment for this program is an action research project.

Licensure for the Science Education, MAEd

The Science Education, MAEd leads to a NC Advanced, M Level license in Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12. Candidates must hold a valid NC initial, A level license in Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12 in order to be eligible to upgrade the license to the advanced, M level upon program completion. Candidates may be admitted to the Science Education, MAEd if they do not hold the valid NC initial, A level license in Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12, including anyone with a license in another area, with an out-of-state license, or with no license at all. These candidates will be required to sign the LNNC Waiver and by doing so are duly informed that they will not receive the NC recommendation for the Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12 advanced, M level licensure until the NC initial, A level licensure requirements are met, which will include additional NC licensure tests. The LNNC Waiver can be located here. The waiver should accompany the application for admission to the MAEd. ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. Requirements in other states may be different. Upon successful completion of ECU educator preparation program degree requirements and licensure requirements for the State of North Carolina candidates will be eligible for an ECU recommendation for a NC license. However, final licensure granting decisions are the sole responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction not ECU. Candidates who seek out of state employment or out of state licensure will have to meet the receiving state's requirements. There is no automatic licensure reciprocity between states. ECU will verify the completion of an approved, accredited program for candidates who seek this verification, but those candidates will be responsible for working with the receiving state to complete any additional requirements to obtain the license and/or employment in the receiving state.

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Science Education at East Carolina University

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation:

An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
- Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 78

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Science Education

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine and Space Sciences Teach Postsec
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Ed
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Ed

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

Self-employed;
Work for the federal government, including the military: or
Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Science Education at East Carolina University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Science Education at East Carolina University

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Master of Science Education at East Carolina University

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville