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Degree Programs

Student Perspective

 

"The classes provided excellent background information in a concise manner. They gave us great ideas for lesson plans that are hands-on and inquiry-based. The lab earth classes gave me enough information to totally rework how I teach earth science." — Catherine Schumacher, 7-8 grad science teacher, Nebraska

All University of Nebraska programs are accredited by:

The Higher Learning Commission

 

Science for Educators Specialization, MAS

Science in Action, Science Eduators Masters Online Degree

Program Description

This online Science for Educators specialization* is comprised of 18 credit hours within the 36 credit hour, non-thesis Master of Applied Science graduate degree program.

Take Classes Right Away

Students may choose to take up to two courses as "non-degree seeking" before being formally admitted into the master's program.

Enhance Your Skills

Science Content Inquiry

  • Acquire new and enhanced science content knowledge
  • Examine science in the context of the world around us

Integration

  • Integrate science content to age-appropriate pedagogy
  • Establish connections between the natural and sesigned world, linking science and technology

Application

  • Apply science content to real-world situations in your local community
  • Develop relevant, standards-based curriculum materials
  • Inspire your students with science in action

*Note: A specialization at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a well-defined area of study that has been approved by the Graduate Council and will appear on your transcript with your degree and major.

Delivery Format

Home Campus: University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Method of Delivery: 100% Online - what's this? Program can be completed fully at a distance. Courses are asynchronous, meaning students and instructor may access content at any time and do not have to be connected to the Internet at the same time. Any internship or practicum experiences may be completed in the student's local area.

All online courses are accessed via the Internet and use a learning management system. Technology requirements may vary by program and course, but all campuses have basic recommended requirements. High-speed Internet is required.

Interaction with professors and other students may include:

  • E-mail
  • Phone or video conferencing
  • Other forms of electronic and print communication

Supplemental materials for some courses may include:

  • Printed material
  • Videos accessed via the Internet, CDs or DVDs
  • Other media

To be successful, students taking online classes should be reasonably comfortable using a computer and the Internet. Learn more about online student tips for success.

Academic Year 2011 - 2012

Tuition rates are effective for the academic year listed. Tuition is subject to change in July of each year.

Rates shown are for students taking only online/distance courses. Students enrolled in a combination of In Person/On Campus Courses and Online/Distance Education Courses should visit Student Accounts for complete tuition and fee information.

Nebraska Resident:

 TuitionDistance Ed. FeeTechnology FeeLibrary FeeTotal
Per credit hour$310.00$25.00$7.35$3.00$345.35
3 credit hour$930.00$75.00$22.05$9.00$1,036.05

Non-Resident:

 TuitionDistance Ed. FeeTechnology FeeLibrary FeeTotal
Per credit hour$580.00$25.00$7.35$3.00$615.35
3 credit hour$1,740.00$75.00$22.05$9.00$1,846.05

Note: In addition to the costs outlined above, students will be charged a $20.00 registration fee each semester they enroll in courses.

The program of study for the online Science for Educators specialization requires that 18 credit hours, of the 36 credit hour Applied Science degree, be taken from the Science for Educators courses.

Begin Classes Right Away

Students may choose to take up to two courses as "non-degree seeking" before being formally admitted into the master's program.

Unique Course Design

  • Every course has a uniform, systematic approach that shows how, why and where science fits into the real world and applications for curriculum
  • Courses integrate science content from previous courses demonstrating how in science, everything's connected to everything else
  • Courses and content are designed around the National Science Education Standards

 

Course Name
Course #
Credits
Core Courses

Teaching Biotechnology

AGRO/HORT 896
3

Investigate biotechnology and its application in solving problems. Connects biotechnology to basic science concepts in biology and chemistry.

Insect Ecology

ENTO 806
3
Prereq: NRES/BIOS 220 and 222. ENTO 406/806 is offered spring semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Offered on in the spring semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Interrelationships of the biotic and abiotic factors as they influence insect development, behavior, distribution, and abundance.

Insects as Educational Tools for the Classroom

ENTO 810
3
Prereq: Introductory entomology course or permission. Class taught via Blackboard. Offered fall semester. Insect diversity, insect structure and function, insect ecology and behavior, and the beneficial and detrimental roles of insects. Integrates the study of insects into the classroom to enhance science education.

Teaching Applications of Food Science

FDST 801
3
Pre-Requisite: BIOS 101 and CHEM 109. Using food as a model, teachers will learn important food science concepts including:

Laboratory Earth: Earth and Its Systems

NRES 809
3

Consider the Earth as a system and the "real world" applications of fundamental physical science processes in this system.

Laboratory Earth: Earth's Natural Resource...

NRES 814
3

Laboratory Earth: Earth's Natural Resource Systems

Apply fundamental concepts in the Earth and physical sciences to understand Earth's natural resource system.

Laboratory Earth: Earth’s Changing Systems

NRES 822
3
Individual or group projects in research, literature review, or extension of course work under supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member. Independent study contracts for ENTO 896 must be filed with department.

Laboratory Earth: Earth & Geospatial Technology

NRES 898
3
Pre-Requisite: Advanced study of selected topics not presented in established courses.

Seminar in Curriculum and Teaching of Science

TEAC 924
3

Exploration of current literature, yearbooks, research and experiments in the curriculum and teaching of science.

The faculty teaching in the Science for Educators program are all scientists with a passion for science education.

Dave Gosselin, Ph.D., Professor, School of Natural Resources

Tiffany Heng-Moss, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Entomology

Donald J. Lee, Ph.D., Professor

Rusty Low, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice

John H. Rupnow, Ph.D., Professor

Guidelines for Admittance

This program is intended for elementary teachers, middle and high school science teachers, community college educators, extension educators and homeschool instructors.

To participate in this program the student must have:

  • Undergraduate degree in the life sciences, education or an undergraduate degree (or higher) in a related area, such as biological or physical science, and experience in applied science*
  • Undergraduate coursework in basic sciences (biology and chemistry) and in agriculture appropriate to the area of concentration
  • Sufficient evidence of academic ability, typically a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Approval of the Master of Applied Science Graduate Committee and the Graduate College


*Note: The term "experience in applied science" is with reference to students with related degrees. This is to clarify the importance of the appropriate prerequisite knowledge for student success in the courses leading to a Master of Applied Science degree.

Application Checklist

  1. Apply and be admitted to Graduate Studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln 
  2. Apply and be admitted to the program:
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • A Letter of Intent including the following:
      • Explain why you want to pursue a Master of Applied Science degree.
      • Elucidate how obtaining this degree will help your personal, career, and/or professional goals.
      • Describe what you are you doing now that relates to this degree
      • Describe your level of commitment to successful completion of the degree
    • Submit one set of official transcripts
    • If your native language is not English, demonstrate your English proficiency by providing at least one of the following:

Paper-based TOEFL score of 550 or higherInternet-based TOEFL score of 79 or higher

 Send department application materials to:

Dr. John P. Markwell
Chair, Master of Applied Science
N251 Beadle Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-0664

Application Deadlines

Rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed upon receipt of materials. The dates below are recommended application dates.

Fall Semester August 1
Spring Semester December 1
Summer Sessions April 1

Contact

Online Worldwide Educational Representative
Phone: 888.622.0332
E-mail: onlineinfo@nebraska.edu

Program Contact
Name: Cheryl Griffith
Phone: 402.472.5515
E-mail: unlextended@unl.edu

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