Science Education: Program Overview

How can you design instructional materials to support diverse students in learning science through inquiry? How can new learning technologies support students in doing science inquiry? What should teachers and students know about the role of language and other representations in science learning? How do you design science teacher preparation programs to promote teaching for understanding? How do you design professional development programs to support practicing teachers? How do you design assessments to measure the learning outcomes on new inquiry-based curricula? Faculty and students in the Science Education Specialization at the University of Michigan School of Education are exploring questions like these, and developing innovative curriculum to support diverse students learning enduring ideas in science through inquiry. Exciting research projects focus on the uses of learning technologies in science teaching and learning, the preparation and professional development of elementary, middle school, and high school science teachers, and the adaptation of science reform programs to urban classrooms. Some of the current projects include:

Designing science instructional materials that support diverse learners in inquiry and promote deep understanding of content
Embedding the use of learning technologies to support students
Promoting complex scientific thinking with emerging technologies
The use of technology in supporting teacher and student learning.
The design of science teacher preparation programs that promotes teaching for understanding
The role of language in teaching and learning science
Defining critical multimedia literacies for teachers and students in science education
Describing and modeling key processes in systemic reform and renewal of science education.

The University of Michigan graduate specialization in science education provides a broad perspective from which students and faculty can examine these issues. When you join the Science Education program at the University of Michigan, you will join a program that leads the way in exploring new ideas to promote student learning and improve the teaching and learning of science.

If you are a motivated learner who learns through engagement with challenging ideas and real-world experiences and an individual who wants to impact the teaching and learning of science in schools, then the School of Education Science Education Specialization may be of interest to you. The specialization will prepare graduate students to tackle difficulty challenges facing the teaching of science in classrooms. The specialization prepares the graduate students to use theoretical and research-based ideas to change science classrooms.

This degree specialization is housed within the Educational Studies program, which fosters links among students and faculty in a number of specializations sharing a commitment to the integration of theory and research on teaching, learning, and educational access in P-12 settings.

The School of Education offers Science and Education degrees at both the Master's and Doctoral levels.

Doctoral degree in Science Education:

The Doctoral Specialization in Science Education at the University of Michigan prepares scholars and researchers to explore important issues in science education that have an impact on the teaching and learning of science. A primary focus of the doctoral specialization at the University of Michigan is exploration of important questions that can impact children, science teachers and science classrooms as well as informing other scholars in the field of science education. As a student you will develop and refine your own research questions and agenda in concert with others dedicated to the same goal. You will study important topics in science education and then immerse yourself in real-world research alongside nationally recognized specialists in their field. Experts in the field of science education will guide and support your work.

Advanced knowledge in the sciences and science education along with interdisciplinary study are required to understand and investigate the complex problems facing science education today. Specializing in science education requires in-depth understanding of several fields. These include: a science discipline, educational psychology, sociology, history and philosophy of science, and curriculum design.

Teaching and research assistantships are available for qualified applicants. Teaching assistantships, available for those individuals with science teaching experience at the elementary, middle, or high school levels, involve working with science methods and practicum classes and/or the supervision of student teachers. Research assistantships involve work on a variety of externally funded projects. The Science Education area has close ties to both the Learning Technology area and the Teacher Education area within the Educational Studies program.

After completion of your Ph.D. in Science Education, you will be prepared for leadership positions in higher education, public and private research, and school leadership.

It is also worth noting that, as a unit within Michigan's Educational Studies Program, the Science Education PhD program is a national partner in the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate, sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of teaching.

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Master’s degree in Science Education:

The Mater’s Specialization in Science Education at the University of Michigan prepares educational specialists to solve important problems in science education. As a student you will develop and refine your knowledge and capabilities to address these problems. You will study a variety of topics in science education as well as other educational areas. Through field experience and internships, you will apply your new understandings to schools, classrooms, and informal settings. Experts in the field of science education will guide and support your work. After completing your master’s in Science Education, you will be prepared for various leadership positions public and private schools, museums, environmental educations centers or other educational organizations.

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