Science Education (M.S.Ed.)
Admission Requirements
Candidates new to Buffalo State College
Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree with sufficient academic background in the prospective area of teaching to take graduate work in the discipline. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the department's program coordinator for a transcript review and a pre-application interview.
The following criteria must also be met:
- Official transcripts from all institutions that the candidate has attended.
- Overall GPA 3.0 or higher.
- Proficiency in a foreign language through the 102 level (one year of foreign language).
- Science certification area (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geology or Physics) GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of thirty credit hours in the science discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geology, or Physics) in which certification is sought.
- Statement of intent that should include:
- reasons for pursuing graduate study in science education;
- career aspirations;
- special interests within the field;
- any unusual features of background that might need explanation or be of interest to the program's admissions committee.
- Letter of reference that includes an assessment of the applicant's ability to work with others.
Buffalo State Quick Admit
For candidates with undergraduate degrees from SUNY Buffalo State, Science Education has agreements with the content science departments to "Buffalo State Fast Track" their majors wishing to become certified to teach. Students in the following degree programs at SUNY Buffalo State who meet the above admission requirements can move directly into the M.S.Ed. program with this Buffalo State Fast Track option:
- B.A. Biology
- B.S. Chemistry
- B.A. Geology; B.S. Earth Sciences
- B.A. Physics; B.S. Physics
Official transcripts are not required for candidates on Buffalo State Fast Track.
In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (31-37 credit hours) | ||
| Professional Education and Science Education (15-21 credit hours) | ||
| SED 502 | SECONDARY SCIENCE EDUCATION TEACHING: THEORY, CONTENT AND PEDAGOGY | 3 |
| SED 545 | LITERACY FOR TEACHING SCIENCE | 3 |
| SED 650 | CURRICULAR RESEARCH TOPICS IN SCIENCE | 3 |
| SED 664 | TEACHING SCIENCE WITH TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| EXE 500 | INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS | 3 |
| SPF 503 | EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| EDU 609 | RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN ADOLESCENT LITERACY | 3 |
| Practica (13 credit hours) | ||
| SED 677 | INITIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING EXPERIENCE | 6 |
| SED 678 | INITIAL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING EXPERIENCE | 6 |
| SED 679 | SEMINAR IN SCIENCE EDUCATION | 1 |
| Culminating Project (3 credit hours) | ||
| SED 690 | MASTER'S PROJECT | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 31-37 | |