Master of Science (M.S.)

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Education is the initial step in pursuing a degree as a scholar in an educational field.

In addition to pursuing a Ph.D. program, many students use this degree to seek employment as a faculty member in a community college or to pursue career opportunities in school districts, education agencies, or business and industry.

Core requirements

All Master of Science students, regardless of area of study, complete a common set of core requirements (PDF).

Course options

Research methods

Seminar (1 credit)

Research methodology (2 courses)

Thesis (3-5 credits)

ReSev 550 (Educational Research)
ReSev 580 Qualitative Research Methodology
Stat 401 Statistical Methods for Research Workers
Or approved by POS Committee and director of graduate education

Curriculum, educational psychology, HPC

One course from two of the following areas:

Curriculum

C I 594 Contemporary Curriculum Theory and Principles
C I 506 Multicultural and Gender Fair Education
C I 578 Pedagogy, Equality of Opportunity, and the Education of Blacks in the U.S.
HGED 562 Curriculum Development in Colleges
Or approved by POS Committee and director of graduate education

Historical, philosophical and comparative studies in education

HPC 581 Philosophy of Education
HPC 582 History of American Education
Or approved by POS Committee, director of graduate education, and HPC faculty

Educational psychology

C I 533 Educational Psychology of Learning Cognition and Motivation
Or approved by POS Committee and director of graduate education

Curriculum and instruction

One course in curriculum and instruction outside the student’s area of specialization.

Graduate students in a teacher licensure program should consult their major professor.

Specializations

Master of Science students can choose to pursue a specialization in one of the following areas:

Faculty expertise

Our faculty have specific expertise in:

Educational foundations
Literacy
Mathematics
Multicultural and international curriculum studies
Science
Special education
Technology

Master's timeline

Refer to the masters timeline and requirements page for information on completing a master’s degree in the Educator Preparation Program.

While coursework in the Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees overlap, there is a greater practitioner emphasis in the M.Ed. program and a greater emphasis on becoming a scholar in the M.S. program.