Postsecondary Science Education
If you are a doctoral student in the natural sciences or mathematics interested in expanding your knowledge about science and mathematics teaching, learning, and research, then consider this Master of Science degree in Postsecondary Science Education.
This program is open only to current doctoral students in the School for Environment and Sustainability or the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts in the following departments: Astronomy, Biophysics, Chemistry, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Geological Sciences, Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Physics. This degree is not a stand-alone master's degree; it is intended only for students who are enrolled in a PhD program and will be conferred only when the student receives the PhD. This program is designed to support doctoral students in the sciences who may wish to pursue instructional positions after completing their doctoral degree. It provides a strong foundation in learning theory and application to support teaching in the sciences.
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Additional Certificate and Endorsement Opportunities
Requirements
Learning Theory credits
Students choose from the following courses:
- EDUC 606 – Developmental and Psychological Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 708 – Cognition and Instruction in the Classroom (3 credits)
- EDUC 709 – Motivation in the Classroom (3 credits)
- EDUC 710 – Learning, Thinking, and Problem Solving (3 credits)
- EDUC 791 – Foundations of Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
- EDUC 830 – Historical and Philosophical Roots of Science Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 831 – Theory and Research on Learning and Instruction in Science (3 credits)
Teaching and learning credits
Students choose from the following courses:
- EDUC 601 / SI 549 – Transformative Learning and Teaching with Technology (3 credits)
- EDUC 602 – Video Games, Learning and School Design (3 credits)
- EDUC 603 – Design-Based Research for Assessing Learning Environments (3 credits)
- EDUC 607 – Contemporary Approaches to Educational Assessment (3 credits)
- EDUC 626 / SI 548 – Principles of Software Design for Learning (3 credits)
- EDUC 611 – Classroom Assessment Seminar (3 credits)
- EDUC 832 – Theory and Research on the Development of Expertise in Science Teaching (3 credits - Recommended)
- EDUC 834 – Designing Science Learning Environments (3 credits)
Postsecondary education credits
Students choose from the following courses:
- EDUC 662 – Learning and Development in Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 663 – Organizing for Learning (3 credits)
- EDUC 761 – Postsecondary Institutions as Complex Organizations (3 credits)
- EDUC 764 / POL SCI 734 / PUBPOL 732 – Public Policy in Postsecondary Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 864 American College Students (3 credits)
Directed research credits
Students complete the following courses:
- EDUC 655 – Directed Research in Educational Studies (3 credits minimum required)
- EDUC 695 – Research and Educational Practice (3 credits)
Elective credits
Students elect four credits from available U-M courses to meet the 24-credit requirement.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective Students
Upcoming Information Sessions
Connect with ES
Contact
Phone: (734) 763-9497
Master's: soeadmissions@umich.edu
Doctoral: edstudiesphd.info@umich.edu
Location
610 E. University Avenue
Room 4218
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Application Deadlines
Application Process
To apply for the Master of Science in Postsecondary Science Education, you will need the following materials:
- Completed Rackham Add a Degree Program Application.
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Resume or CV
- The Academic Statement of Purpose for MS in Postsecondary Science Education should be approximately 2-3 pages in length, double spaced. It should be a concise statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and your reasons for applying to this degree program. Please be specific in explaining how the course offerings and expertise of the specific faculty members in this program fit your educational and career objectives. We are also interested in how you learned about our program.
- Approval statement from your advisor/PI that they are aware their advisee is adding this master's degree.
For general questions regarding the Rackham Add a Degree form, contact Admissions and Graduate Records Coordinator, at soegradcoordinators@umich.edu or (734) 615-1529.
Quick Facts
Application fee waiver
The $75 application fee is waived for all U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
GRE general exam scores
Undergraduate GPA guideline
Applications are evaluated using a holistic process, which means that reviewers carefully consider all materials provided and no single factor is used in either accepting or denying an applicant for admission.
Financial aid
Part-time status
Online, evening, or weekend courses
Entry term
Connect with ES
Contact
Phone: (734) 763-9497
Master's: soeadmissions@umich.edu
Doctoral: edstudiesphd.info@umich.edu
Location
610 E. University Avenue
Room 4218
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Careers
This program is designed to support doctoral students in the sciences who may wish to pursue instructional positions after completing their doctoral degree. It provides a strong foundation in learning theory and application to support teaching in the sciences.
Internships
There are no internship requirements or opportunities associated with the Postsecondary Science Education program.