Is the graduate program
accredited?
Montana State University is accredited
by the Commission on Colleges of the Northwest
Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional
accrediting body recognized by the Council of
Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department
of Education. NASC is located at 11130 NE 33rd
Place, Suite 120, Bellevue, Washington 98004.
The University is also a member of the National
Association of State Universities and Land-Grant
Colleges. The Master of Science in Science Education
(MSSE) degree was approved by the Montana Board
of Regents in 1996 and all MSSE courses and programs
of study are approved by the Montana State University
Division of Graduate Education.
How are the on-line courses taught?
On-line courses are offered by asynchronous,
computer-mediated communication. From their home,
workplace, or other convenient location, students
use a personal computer (either MacOS or Windows-based)
equipped with a modem or having a direct Internet
connection to connect with instructors and participants
from across the country. On-line courses may use
manuals, textbooks, case histories, problems,
computer software, databases, Web sites, evaluation
activities, and other sources of information -
but there are no lectures. Instructors and students
work through the material together, discussing
topics and issues by using a computer network
that allows for private messages and group discussions.
Courses are structured, but not conducted in real
time; therefore, students can access the class
at times during the day or night that are most
convenient to them.
Teacher Quote
The
discussions, in a bulletin board format, really
gave me a sense of being in class. The level
of sharing of ideas far exceeded my expectations.
I learned from my classmates as well as from
my instructors.
North
Carolina Teacher
What Equipment Is Required?
- MAC OS 7.1 or higher or
- Windows version 95 or newer
- Computer with CD-ROM
- Internet access with either Microsoft Internet
Explorer (version 5.0 to 6.0) or Netscape Navigator
(version 7, 4.5x, 4.6x, and all versions of
4.7 except 4.78; versions 4.78 and 6.0 are not
officially supported)
- Some courses have additional hardware and
software requirements
Who
Are the Instructors?
The MSSE degree program was developed
by Montana State University faculty members who
are active in science, science education, and
mathematics. The program is a unique, cooperative
effort of several colleges and departments. Faculty
members of the departments of Cell Biology and
Neural Science, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth
Science, Ecology, Education, Health and Human
Development, Land Resources and Environmental
Science, Mathematics, Microbiology, Plant Science
and Plant Pathology, and Physics will teach most
courses. Faculty members of other departments
and units will play a major role in some courses.
When appropriate, courses may be taught by faculty
members of other institutions. Instructors have
doctorate degrees in the subjects they teach;
science courses are offered through the appropriate
science content department.
If I am not interested in
a Master's degree, may I still take courses?
Yes, classes are open to all middle
and high school science teachers and other science
educators.
Can I earn a Teaching Certificate?
Yes, it is possible to earn teacher
certification from MSU-Bozeman in a distance delivered,
secondary education licensure program for those
with a bachelors degree, or higher, in a teaching
content area. For more details, visit the Northern
Plains Transition Teaching program.
Can I take classes before
I am admitted?
Yes, a maximum of nine credits may
be taken as a non-degree graduate student (someone
not yet admitted to a degree program) and transferred
into a graduate program of study.
How do I register for classes?
For
distance or campus courses, go to the MSSE Home Page . Select "On-line Registration". For additional information, contact Diana
Paterson at (406) 994-5679, FAX (406) 994-3733,
or email (dianap@montana.edu).
How long
will it take to complete the MSSE degree?
Because different students have
different responsibilities at work and home, not
all students will progress in the program at the
same pace. Most students will complete the degree
in 2-3 years. The Division of Graduate Education allows up to
six years to finish the degree. That means all
coursework for a masters degree must be completed
within a 6-year window of time.
What is the
on-campus residency requirement?
MSSE requires at least one visit
to campus, two visits are suggested. The first
on-campus visit, usually done early in the program,
for lab and/or field classes, can be as short
as one week or as long as several weeks. This
is the student's choice. The second visit is a
brief session in the final summer to present a
Capstone Project at the Symposium in Science Education.
This means you may complete the degree with two
weeks in Bozeman. However, for those who can afford
the time, we believe a longer campus session provides
the best experience. You are always welcome to
take campus classes.
Teacher Quote
Taking
science classes in an environment like the Greater
Yellowstone Region provided a learning experience
second to none.
North
Carolina Teacher
When is the next summer session?
The next on-campus summer sessions
are scheduled for June 16 - August 8, 2008.
During this period of time, you may take one
or more of our mini-course sessions or attend
the four-week session. Distance classes are offered
during the summer as well as fall and spring.
What classes
are offered on campus next summer?
Each summer there are a variety
of classes offered in sessions lasting from a
few days to six weeks in length. Visit Summer
2008 .
Where will I live when I attend
the summer sessions?
Campus housing includes several
options:
- Single or double dorm rooms in Hannon
Hall are recommended for students
staying three weeks or less.
- University
Guest Suites are available through
Family and Graduate Housing. These are limited
in number, but are an excellent choice for families.
Apply early!
- Apartments, townhouses, or houses offered
on a contractual basis through
Family and Graduate Housing
are recommended for students staying longer
than three weeks or traveling with families.
If this is your choice, submit a contract as
soon as possible - as
housing assignments are based on the date of
the contract.
Tell me about the Bozeman area!
For more information about the Bozeman
and the surrounding area, visit the Bozeman
Area web page.
How Do I Apply?
To apply, contact
Intercollege Programs for Science Education to
obtain a graduate application. For an on-line
application, go to MSU's Division of Graduate Education .
Can I transfer courses and
credit taken at another institution?
In some cases, transfer
credits from another institution may be applied
to your degree program.
Is financial aid available?
The MSU Financial Aid office will
assist you with loan and scholarship information.
Visit them at the MSU
Financial Services web site or call 406-994-2845.
To qualify for financial aid you must (a) have
admissions into a program of study and (b) register
for a minimum of 6 credits with the Registrar
or Continuing Education for campus and/or distance
classes.
Once you are enrolled in MSSE, you qualify for
student loan deferment when you take a minimum
of 3 credits.
What
is the cost of the Master of Science in Science
Education program?
This question is often asked by those who seek
information about the Master of Science in Science
Education (MSSE) program at MSU-Bozeman. Remember that there is a minimum credit requirement
of 30 semester credits for the MSSE degree; of
these credits, 5-10 are generally taken on-campus
and the remaining credits by distance (on-line).
Distance (on-line) and campus classes are available through the MSU Extended University
registration. Tuition for both in-state
and out-of-state students is $270 per credit.
A course lab fee is charged for some classes. A computer fee and registration fee will be assessed.
The number of classes taken
by distance or on-campus is a student's choice. To view a sample estimate of semester-by-semester tuition, see
Tuition Estimate.
When can I start the degree program?
The program of study may begin
with distance learning courses in any semester
or summer classes at the MSU-Bozeman campus.
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