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.
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)
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
**CSED530 & SCED515 are approved to count as CAS (former H&SS) 400-level electives
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).
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. Students pursuing the Master of Science degree may choose up to six credits (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. More information on combined programs at Mines can be found on the Registrar’s website.
Interested students must apply for the combined program at least one term before they complete their undergraduate degree program. Students should register for the 500-level offerings of Teach@Mines courses; to be able to register for 500-level courses as an undergraduate, students should complete the Undergraduate 500-level Course Registration Override Petition. If an undergraduate student wants to take a 500-level course and have it only count towards the Master of Science degree, they should complete the Course Level Change Request form.