Science Education
Mathematics Education
- Master of Arts
- Master of Education
- Doctor of Philosophy
Facilities for Graduate Work
Facilities for graduate work include state-of-the-art computer, multimedia, and videoconferencing laboratories, laboratories for science and mathematics research, field-based sites for implementation studies in local school districts, and numerous federal- and state-funded research and development projects in science and mathematics education. The University Libraries contain more than eight million volumes and provide access to a wide variety of print-based and electronic research tools, the latter through their Web site. Library units serving mathematics and the sciences include the Kuehne Physics Mathematics Astronomy Library, the Mallet Chemistry Library, the Walter Geology Library, the Life Science Library, and the McKinney Engineering Library.
Areas of Study
Graduate study in science and mathematics education is offered through an interdisciplinary program that combines content preparation with educational research and scholarship, in a setting that fosters and supports tight links to educational practice. The program is anchored by a set of core courses addressing learning, instruction, curriculum, technology, equity, policy, and systemic reform in science and mathematics education, at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Students may choose to specialize in science education, mathematics education, or a combination of the two. Coursework is chosen from departments in the College of Education and the College of Natural Sciences, as well as other appropriate University colleges.
Graduate Studies Committee
The following faculty members served on the Graduate Studies Committee in the spring semester 2006–2007.
- Lawrence D. Abraham
- Efraim Pacillas Armendariz
- James P. Barufaldi
- Lowell J. Bethel
- Guadalupe Carmona
- Susan B. Empson
- John E. Gilbert
- Austin M. Gleeson
- William T. Guy Jr.
- Brent L. Iverson
- Denis A. Kohl
- Joseph J. Lagowski
- David A. Laude Jr.
- Michael P. Marder
- Jill A. Marshall
- H. Taylor Martin
- Edward W. Odell
- Bruce P. Palka
- Shelley M. Payne
- Anthony J. Petrosino
- R. H. (Dick) Richardson
- Stanley J. Roux Jr.
- David J. Saltman
- Jennifer C. Smith
- Michael Starbird
- Walter M. Stroup Jr.
- P. Uri Treisman
- Jack S. Turner
Degree Requirements
Master’s Degrees
Prerequisites for admission to each master’s degree program are a baccalaureate degree and coursework in education and in science and mathematics.
Master of Arts. The program consists of thirty-five semester hours, with at least twenty-one hours at the graduate level. The major field is composed of eighteen hours in education, including nine hours in the science and mathematics education core-course sequence, three hours of research methodology, and six hours for researching and writing the thesis. The minor field consists of twelve hours in science and/or mathematics. An additional five hours may be drawn from coursework chosen by the student in conjunction with the graduate adviser. A degree plan without thesis or report is also available. Students in this option take six additional hours of coursework in a concentration of interest.
Master of Education. The program is the same as the program for the Master of Arts described above, with one exception: In addition to the requirements for a Master of Arts, students must be certified to teach at the elementary or secondary level. Students may earn certification to teach through additional coursework while enrolled in the Master of Education program.
Summer Option for Master’s Degrees. Some students may be able to pursue either master’s degree by enrolling in the summer option. Under this option, the required coursework is completed in three consecutive summer terms, with some additional coursework completed online during the fall and spring semesters.
The summer option consists of thirty-three semester hours composed of nine hours in education, fifteen hours in mathematics and science content courses, two hours of research methodology, and four hours of related coursework. The option requires a report instead of a thesis, completed in a three-hour report course.
To qualify for the Master of Arts summer option, students must have experience teaching mathematics and/or science. To qualify for the Master of Education summer option, students must be certified to teach at the elementary or secondary level. More information on the summer option can be found at the program’s Web site.
Doctor of Philosophy
Students seeking the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must show evidence of related professional and academic experience, including a master’s degree or the equivalent in a science or mathematics content area.
Program Requirements
Core courses. Students must complete the fifteen-semester-hour core course sequence in science education and mathematics education through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. A description of the sequence is available from the graduate program. It is highly recommended that students enroll each semester in Curriculum and Instruction 185G (Topic: Mathematics and Science Education Forum).
Research methodology. Students must complete at least twelve hours of coursework in research methodology.
Content courses. Students must complete fifteen semester hours of coursework in science or mathematics. This requirement is waived for students who enter the program with a master’s degree in mathematics or one of the sciences.
Related courses. Students are expected to broaden and deepen their Program of Work by taking a variety of related coursework consonant with their scholarly interests. This coursework must be chosen in consultation with the graduate adviser; a list of possible courses is available from the graduate program.
For More Information
Campus address: George I. Sánchez Building (SZB) 340, phone (512) 471-7354 or 471-3747, fax (512) 471-8466; campus mail code: D5705
Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, Graduate Program in Science Education and Mathematics Education, 1 University Station D5705, Austin TX 78712
E-mail: jamesb@mail.utexas.edu or lbethel@mail.utexas.edu