Master of Science in STEM Education

GRADUATE Program Requirements

The Master of Science in STEM Education requires 30 credit hours of coursework and can be completed in as little as two semesters with a fall or spring term start.  This degree is designed to include Colorado teacher licensure in secondary science, secondary or middle grades mathematics, or K-12 computer science.  If you already have Licensure, you can still obtain this Master’s Degree (24 credits). The Mines teacher curriculum is exclusively focused on preparing STEM subject area teachers, which means every course is customized to helping you learn how to become an excellent STEM educator. The Teach@Mines staff prides itself in building high quality relationships with our district partners so that you can work with excellent, experienced, and enthusiastic classroom teachers throughout your program.

Students pursuing the degree may double count up to six credits which were used in fulfilling the requirements of their undergraduate degree, towards their graduate program. One additional 400-level course may be counted toward the graduate degree, if the course is not counted towards the undergraduate degree. All courses must have been passed with a “B-” or better.

For all three specialty areas – Science Teaching, Mathematics Teaching, and Computer Science Teaching – the curriculum structure consists of (i) a set of required courses, (ii) a pair of discipline specific pedagogy courses, and (iii) general elective courses that serve to supplement the student’s technical interests.

REQUIRED COURSES (18cr)

 

Each specialty area requires the following 6 courses:

SCED562 – K-12 Field Experience & Building Student Relationships (1-3 credits variable, but 3 credits total required)

SCED533 – Educational Psychology & Assessment (3 credits) *

SCED563 – Dynamic Teaching: Motivation, Classroom Management, and Differentiation of Instruction (3 credits) *

SCED/MAED/CSED564 – Capstone Curriculum Design I – Practicum (3 credits)

SCED/MAED/CSED565 – Capstone Curriculum Design II – Student Teaching (6-12 credits arranged with Instructor)

Molecule guy

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC PEDAGOGY COURSES (6cr)

Specialty in Science Teaching

SCED545 – Physics and Chemistry Teaching Techniques (3 credits)

SCED515 – Scientific Practices vs. Engineering Design and the Nature of Science** (3 credits)

Specialty in Mathematics Teaching

MAED525 – Pre-Algebra and Algebra Teaching Techniques (3 credits)

Choose ONE of the following:

MAED505 – Mathematical Practices and the Social Context of Mathematics (3 credits)**

CSED530 – Computer Science Practices & Technological Impacts on Society (3 credits) **

SCED515 – Scientific Practices Vs. Engineering Design & the Nature of Science (3 credits) **

 

Specialty in Computer Science Teaching

CSED535 – Computer Science Teaching Techniques (3 credits)

Choose ONE of the following:

MAED505 – Mathematical Practices and the Social Context of Mathematics (3 credits)**

CSED530 – Computer Science Practices & Technological Impacts on Society (3 credits) **

SCED515 – Scientific Practices Vs. Engineering Design & the Nature of Science (3 credits) **

*SCED533 & SCED563 are approved to count as CAS (former H&SS) mid level electives
**MAED505, MAED598, and SCED515 are approved to count as CAS (former H&SS) Restricted Electives

Field Requirements for Licensure 

GENERAL ELECTIVE COURSES (6cr)

Finally, the remaining six credits can be fulfilled through general elective courses (that may be taken in other departments on campus), independent studies, or professional practice*.

* Up to six credits of Special Topic or Independent Study may be in the form of project credits done on the job as an employee or as a graduate intern. If project credits are to be used, the project proposal and final report must be approved by a Mines faculty advisor, although direct supervision may be provided by the employer.

Stock image of a science class

Mines Combined Undergraduate / Graduate Degree Program

Commonly referred to as a “4+1” degree, Teach@Mines offers a combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science program that enables students to work on a Bachelor of Science in any department at Mines and a Master of Science in any of the three teaching specialty areas simultaneously. Students take 30 credits of coursework at the graduate level in addition to the undergraduate requirements, and work on both degrees at the same time. As described above, a total of nine credits of 400-level coursework may be counted toward the graduate degree.  Students pursuing the Master of Science degree may choose up to six credits (400- or 500-level) to “double-count”; that is, apply towards both their Bachelor of Science degree requirements and their Master of Science degree requirements simultaneously. All courses must have been passed with a “B-” or better. Interested students must apply for the combined program before they complete their undergraduate degree program.