Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Science Education

Overview

Offered online through the University of Georgia Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Mathematics and Science Education, the Master of Education in Science Education focuses on teaching and learning in the natural sciences at the secondary level (Grades 6-12). The program is designed for teachers professionally certified in a secondary science field (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth/Space Sciences, “Broad Field” Secondary Science) or in Middle Grades Education with a specialization in Science. Graduates qualify for a certification upgrade in Georgia and should also do so in most other states. All required coursework is available online to accommodate working professionals, and is taught by the internationally recognized faculty of UGA’s award-winning College of Education. Nearly all Master of Education in Science Education students pursue the degree on a part-time basis while maintaining a full-time teaching position, although those able to devote themselves to full-time study or to attend some face-to-face courses at UGA’s Athens or Gwinnett campuses may choose to do so.

Students and instructors address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by secondary science teachers today and emphasize an understanding of research-based practices that build on their applied professional expertise developed from classroom experience. Required Science Education courses develop the knowledge and skills necessary for critical consideration of the research literature, and special attention is paid to incorporating the integration of Crosscutting Concepts and of Scientific Practices with Disciplinary Core Ideas, as advocated in the Next Generation Science Standards. Other highly recommended Science Education courses at the master’s level focus on integration of science content with technology, engineering, and mathematics, and with socio-scientific issues. Other areas of required coursework include Educational Psychology and electives that allow the exploration of graduate-level science content and of other fields with the College of Education such as Middle Grades Education, Gifted and Creative Education, Mathematics Education, Language and Literacy Education, and Educational Theory and Practice.

Is the Master of Education in Science Education degree the right degree for me? 

1) Yes, if you are a Georgia teacher certified to teach science at the middle or secondary level and you are looking to upgrade your certification from T4 to T5.  

2) Yes, if you are interested in issues related to teaching and learning, but are not seeking certification (e.g., community college faculty, informal science educators, etc.). Such applicants should be aware that the primary emphasis in our Master of Education in Science Education program is on issues related to teaching and learning at the middle and high school levels.

3) Maybe, if you are from another state or if you are an elementary teacher. In these cases you will want to check in with your professional standards board, prior to application, to ensure this degree will be accepted to upgrade your certification. Elementary science specialists should be aware that the primary emphasis in our Master of Education in Science Education program is on issues related to teaching and learning at the middle and high school levels.

University of Georgia online Master’s in Education programs are ranked #7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2023. 

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Admissions

Credit and Transfer

Total Hours Required to Earn Degree:  36 (credit hours)

Maximum Hours Transferable into Program: 6

Only transfer credits from an accredited institution will be considered. If transfer credit is awarded, it will still be necessary to complete the required number of hours to graduate, which will more than likely necessitate additional coursework above and beyond the degree program requirements.

Master of Education in Science Education Admission Requirements

Prospective candidates must:

• Hold Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Have cumulative grade point average for all previous undergraduate courses as being 2.6 or above on a 4-point scale
• Provide three letters of recommendation from people who know you professionally or as a scholar
• Develop a statement of purposes and goals that can reasonably be met by the degree program

Master of Education in Science Education Application Checklist

1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online.  Application fee: $75 Domestic/$100 International 
2. Select campus – Online 
3. Select Intended Program – MED, Science Education (Math and Science Education)[MED_ESCI_ONL] 
4. Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
5. Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of intent should clarify the candidate’s relevant background, interests, and goals in relation to the program.
6. Transcripts – Upload unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended to the Graduate School application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
7. Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program. Preferably at least two of them are from faculty who have instructed the applicant in a previous program of study. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants 

• Summer: April 1
• Fall: July 1
• Spring: November 15

International Applicants

• Fall: April 15

Cost

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates and student fees may change each year. 

Based on 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $15,372 in tuition for a Georgia Resident and $42,552 in tuition for an out-of-state student.

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition. 

Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $422 per semester. 

Potential additional costs include:

• Textbooks
• Exam proctoring fees
• Technology upgrades 

The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active-duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

Technology Requirements

• Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
• High-speed internet access.

Curriculum

The Master of Education in Science Education program allows for flexible scheduling, rather than presuming a uniform cohort – students may begin the program in any semester, and choose how intensively to pursue coursework. It is possible, although not common, to complete the program in 4 semesters (averaging 3 courses per semester). At a minimum, UGA Graduate School rules require registration for at least one course in at least 2 of the 3 semesters of every year (Fall-Spring-Summer) until graduation. Because most students will be full-time teachers, it is expected that most students will take approximately 2 years to complete the Master of Education in Science Education program, with the most common pattern being 3 courses per Summer and 1 or 2 per academic-year semester.

Courses

Required Core Courses in Science Education (3 Courses):

• ESCI 7040E Teaching Strategies for Secondary Science (required)
• ESCI 7080E Curriculum Planning in Science Education (required)
• ESCI 6990E Introduction to Research in Science Education (required)

Other Graduate-only Courses in Science Education (Choose 2):

• ESCI 6200E Science, Technology, and Society (repeatable)
  • Special Focus: Socio-scientific Issues in Science Teaching 
  • Special Focus: STEM Integration in Science Teaching 
• ESCI 6230E Environmental Science Education 

Core Educational Psychology courses (Choose at least 1):

• EPSY 6010E Foundations of Human Development for Education 
• EPSY 6060E Foundations of Motivation for Education 
• EPSY 6800E Foundations of Cognition for Education 

Additional Electives (Choose 6), either from the categories above or in other departments in the Mary Frances Early College of Education

Download the Advising Guidelines .pdf

Licensure

This program is designed for professional development or advancement in a professionally licensed job and is designed for certified practitioners in this field, but is not intended to lead to initial certification. 

An enrollment coach will contact you to determine your circumstances and ensure that this program will be effective for you.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.

Faculty

News & Events

Testimonials

“I wanted to expand my knowledge of science to become a better teacher for my students. I was able to balance the academic workload and the teacher workload. This path can help strengthen my knowledge of research, development, and implementation of the curriculum with K-12 and continue to learn the best ways to educate my students.”

Dejanna Pressley, ’19

Contact Information

Contact us using the request for information form or call 706-452-7936.

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