Science Education, MAEd

Program Coordinator: Bonnie Glass (352-D Flanagan Building; 252-328-9368; glassb@ecu.edu)

The Science Education, MAEd is a program designed to develop advanced competencies in K-12 science education in the following areas: foundational content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, assessment and evaluation, diversity and equity. This practitioner-oriented program is intended to sharpen instructional expertise, develop research skills, explore current issues and promote leadership in science education. The desired outcome is preparation of specialized science educators, both formal and informal, who are able to support K-12 students’ science learning.

The degree is administratively located in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Instructional Technology Education in the College of Education. For admissions requirements, check the ECU Graduate School website at https://gradschool.ecu.edu/.

The degree requires a minimum of 30 s.h. as follows:

Required core courses - 6 s.h.

Science education courses - 24 s.h.

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. The assessment for this program is an action research project.

Licensure for the Science Education, MAEd

The Science Education, MAEd leads to a NC Advanced, M Level license in Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12. Candidates must hold a valid NC initial, A level license in Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12 in order to be eligible to upgrade the license to the advanced, M level upon program completion.

Candidates may be admitted to the Science Education, MAEd if they do not hold the valid NC initial, A level license in Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12, including anyone with a license in another area, with an out-of-state license, or with no license at all. These candidates will be required to sign the LNNC Waiver and by doing so are duly informed that they will not receive the NC recommendation for the Comprehensive Science Grades 9-12 advanced, M level licensure until the NC initial, A level licensure requirements are met, which will include additional NC licensure tests.

The LNNC Waiver can be located here. The waiver should accompany the application for admission to the MAEd.

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. Requirements in other states may be different.

Upon successful completion of ECU educator preparation program degree requirements and licensure requirements for the State of North Carolina candidates will be eligible for an ECU recommendation for a NC license. However, final licensure granting decisions are the sole responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction not ECU.

Candidates who seek out of state employment or out of state licensure will have to meet the receiving state’s requirements. There is no automatic licensure reciprocity between states. ECU will verify the completion of an approved, accredited program for candidates who seek this verification, but those candidates will be responsible for working with the receiving state to complete any additional requirements to obtain the license and/or employment in the receiving state.