Master of Science in Mathematics and Science Education


The Graduate School, through the School of Education and the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, offers an interdisciplinary program leading to a Master of Science in Mathematics and Science Education (M.S.M.S.E.). The M.S.M.S.E. is a research-based program designed to provide a solid background in mathematics and science principals and their application in the classroom. It includes a core of professional education and educational research courses and electives to be selected based on the student’s interest and background. The M.S.M.S.E. program is intended for practicing elementary and middle school teachers. It includes a core of professional education courses, educational research courses, and electives in math and science. The M.S.M.S.E. degree program does not lead to teacher certification.

The M.S.M.S.E. program may be pursued with the thesis or non-thesis option. Non-thesis students are still required to complete a research project. The research project consists of a series of research-related coursework that includes the preparation of an approved research proposal and a final research paper reporting on original empirical research conducted in the final year of the program. The thesis option prepares graduates for entry level positions in educational research and evaluation or to pursue doctoral study in their chosen field. By the end of the first semester, the thesis student should select a research area and a thesis advisor who will supervise the research and the remainder of the student's course work in conjunction with the Graduate Program Advisor. By the end of the second semester and in collaboration with the thesis advisor, the student should identify a three-member thesis committee. Two members must be from the thesis advisor’s department with the advisor as the committee chair; the third member must be from the other department. In carrying out the thesis project, the student must complete a minimum of three and maximum of six hours of thesis credit. On completion of the research, the student will write a thesis that conforms to the Graduate School's recommended procedures. With the advisor's approval, a draft of the thesis will be forwarded to the other members of the thesis committee for examination and review. After the thesis has been reviewed and judged ready for defense by the advisor and by the other members of the thesis committee, the student must pass an oral thesis examination. The oral examination is comprehensive, covering the student's entire graduate program and emphasizing the research work and content of the thesis. All thesis and oral examination requirements must be scheduled and completed to meet Graduate School deadlines.

All M.S.M.S.E. students must complete a total of thirty (30) credit hours for the degree. The total includes fifteen (15) credit hours of core courses, another twelve (12) credit hours in approved graduate- level electives in math and science courses offered through the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, and three (3) credit hours in an approved graduate-level course in statistics. No more than twelve (12) credit hours may be taken at the 6000 level.

Because the M.S.M.S.E. is an interdisciplinary program between the School of Education and the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, students in this program are jointly advised by the Graduate Program Advisor in the School of Education and by an advisor in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Required Coureses Credit Hours
Core Courses  15 
Approved Electives* 12 
Approved Statistics** 3
Total Hours Required  30 

*Consists of MSE courses and other electives offered through the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences.
**Consists of an approved graduate-level course in statistics.