Science Education @ Teachers College

Degree Descriptions

Master of Arts

Emphasis is placed on those competencies necessary for effective science teaching as a means of enhancing professional growth of in-service and pre-service teachers. Conceptual issues in teaching are translated into practice through group and individualized instruction in special methods courses. Master of Arts requirements include a culminating scholarly project.

A minimum of 32 points of course work is required. Courses taken through these programs and elsewhere at Teachers College in science, science education, and professional education to meet individual needs may be supplemented by courses taken in other Faculties of Columbia University. Preservice Science Education M.A. applicants may refer admissions questions to Professor Roger Anderson.

Master of Education and Master of Science

Both programs require 60 points (including up to 30 points of transfer credit for the Ed.M. and 28 for the M.S.) and involve extensive preparation in science education. For the M.S. degree there is greater emphasis on preparation in science content. In the Ed.M. program there is greater emphasis on preparation in professional education. Programs are arranged in consultation with the major professor to meet both Department and College requirements.

Applicants for the Ed.M. and M.S. degrees also must prepare a written integrative project.

Doctoral Degrees

The Department provides programs for both the Ed.D. and the Ph.D. degrees. In general, the Ed.D. degree places emphasis on breadth of professional course work with a focus on educational practice. All candidates are required to be competent in both quantitative and qualitative research methodology and to have knowledge of the epistemology of science and of psychology sufficient to be an informed scholar-practitioner.

All doctoral candidates must have a written plan, approved by their advisor. The approved plan should then be forwarded to the Office of Doctoral Studies. Following submission of the statement of total program, the student normally completes doctoral course work and engages in doctoral research and writing. Refer to the Ph.D. and Ed.D. Requirements Bulletin, prepared by the Office of Doctoral Studies, for a fuller description.

In planning a program of study, it should be noted that doctoral students are required to complete a minimum of twenty points after taking the certification examination for the first time, including points taking during the term in which that examination is taken.

Specializations

Students enrolled in the doctoral program may specialize in an area of interest to them pertinent to science education by taking courses in their area of interest. Some potential areas to pursue include: elementary school science, secondary school science, urban science education, and technology studies.

Supervision in Schools

Students interested in science supervision in schools may elect to enroll in courses in other departments to satisfy the single school and multiple school supervisory certificates.