Graduate Competencies

The Science Education Graduate Program Area has developed the competency plan below to meet the spirit and intent of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Competencies by preparing a list of opportunities for graduate students to address each of the six competency areas identified. These choices will be used by the student's faculty committee to develop a program of study in consultation with the student. The student's committee will also address the issue of quality via the collection of artifacts that will be checked during the student's progress in successfully meeting the graduate competencies. These artifacts will be presented in a portfolio format at the final examination for the student's committee to certify that all six competencies are met. Technology is threaded throughout the student's graduate program via coursework expectations, research experiences, and clinical experiences. Diversity is threaded throughout the student's graduate program via coursework that addresses equity issues in general and science education issues specifically. Equity issues are also addressed via the teaching of science to address the needs of all students and via research experiences. The student's committee will be responsible for monitoring the progress of the student with respect to the competencies via a dated checklist that will be created and signed by the student's committee members. All science education master's students will submit either a thesis or non-thesis mini-research project by the completion of their degree program.  

Graduate Competencies  Examples

(Note: Artifacts are presented in a portfolio format by the students at the final examination for the Masters Committee to certify that all six competency areas are met)

1. Synthesize Knowledge (Select one area)

• Present a review of the literature on a topic of interest
• Present a concept map of a unit from a discipline
• Present a problem-based learning unit outline based on a selected driving question situated in a science discipline
• Conduct research as part of a science education course
• Understand and apply science education research methods

 2. Create Knowledge (Select one area)

• Conduct a mini-research project, i.e. EDCI 605 teacher researcher project or independent study project with research group or student's committee
• Conduct research as part of a science education course
• Understand and apply science education research methods

3. Communicate Knowledge (Select one area)

• Present at one state, regional, national, university meeting, class or colloquium
• Submit an article for a scholarly journal
• Explain problem solutions i.e. serve as a TA for a science or education course or in a science/science education course
• Serve as a discussion leader for assigned readings i.e. science/science education course
• Communicate an understanding of research design in science education

 4. Think Critically and Reflectively (Select one area)

• Prepare critical and reflective papers on a scholarly topic or literature review i.e. science education course
• Prepare a journal or reflective piece on ones growth in understanding of what it means to be a teacher i.e. general, science content, science education course
• Address equity and diversity issues i.e. EDCI 585 or other appropriate courses or experiences
• Critique research design in science education

 5. Engage in Professional Development (Select one area) (Certified by student's Masters Committee)

• Take part in K-12 or higher education workshops
• Attend professional meetings related to your discipline
• Prepare a Master's Thesis
• Prepare a professional portfolio

 6. Participate Actively in Their Profession (Select one area) (Certified by student's Masters Committee)

• Conduct K-12 or higher education workshops
• Present at professional meetings related to your discipline
• Publish a manuscript in a journal related to your discipline
• Participate in events such as: Science Olympiad, Expanding Your Horizons, Outreach Programs, or Informal Science Education Programs
• Participate actively in the profession through local, state, and national organizations

Notes:

• Masters Degree Program in Science Education ? 30 credit hours
• EDCI 517 and EDCI 518 are required courses
• Artifacts are presented by the student at the final examination for the Masters Committee to certify that all six competencies are met