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 science inquiry 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.
Option one is an MST program designed for those who are preparing to teach informal science, or 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 the MST portion of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholars Program. Students without Noyce funding, but who are enrolled in the Graduate Teacher Education Program may also use this plan to earn an MST. The goal of the program is to prepare students for teaching in diverse classrooms in high needs schools. This two year program is designed specifically for pre-service K-12 science teachers. The first year of this program includes the part-time Graduate Teacher Education Program, and the MST graduate level science content courses and classes which will support scholarship in the area of science education research. The second year of the Noyce program is primarily focused on continuing the part-time Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP), where students complete the requirements to earn a recommendation for an Oregon Teaching Certificate, and complete the master's science education research project, or thesis. The Noyce program includes a scholarship stipend that supports approximately 80% of the cost of the two year program.
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.