MSSE Degree Program
The program of study may begin with online courses in any semester or summer campus field/lab science courses at the MSU-Bozeman campus. Study continues with online courses that students take from their homes or workplaces, and ends with a final campus visit for presentation of the results of a personalized science education capstone project*. Thirty semester credits are required for the degree. Students typically will complete the degree in two or three years.
Please see the MSSE Degree Timeline
In addition to completing a group of core courses (14 credits total) which includes the 3-credit capstone course, students develop interdisciplinary combinations of science courses (12 credits minimum) from offerings in biology, chemistry, earth science, microbiology, plant sciences, physics, and other related areas. The final 4 credits in the 30-credit program are electives selected from education and/or science courses. See Course Catalog.
Interdisciplinary efforts and incorporation of both science content and pedagogy have been encouraged during the development of courses. Each student seeking the degree is advised by a three-person faculty committee, and programs are designed taking into account the student's background, interests, and career goals.
Program Features
- Designed for science educators by experienced science, science education, and mathematics faculty with the collaboration of outstanding classroom teachers
- Coursework delivered primarily online, offering flexibility for working educators
- On-campus summer experiences that vary in length from one day to two weeks (three credit minimum, includes 1-credit capstone course)
- Emphasizes Next Generation Science Standards
- Customized capstone experience
- Interdisciplinary program with a large selection of science content courses
- Self-paced program with a 6-year window to complete all coursework
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 Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth Science, Education, Health and Human Development, Land Resources and Environmental Science, Mathematics, Microbiology, Plant Science and Plant Pathology, Physics, and other related areas 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.
Degree Program Information
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 Graduate School allows up to six years to finish the degree. Therefore, all coursework for a masters degree must be completed within a 6-year window of time.
Students may take a maximum of nine credits as a non-degree seeking graduate student (someone not yet admitted to the degree program) and upon admissions, transfer into a graduate program of study.
Online Course Logistics
Online courses are offered by asynchronous, computer-mediated communication. From their home, workplace, or other convenient location, students use a personal computer to connect with instructors and participants from across the country and around the world. Online courses may use manuals, textbooks, case histories, problems, computer software, databases, websites, 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.
Equipment Requirements
http://www.montana.edu/ecat/technical/index.html
Campus-Based Course Logistics
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we are reevaluating the campus requirement on an ongoing basis. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
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 (the minimum to meet the 2-credit campus field or lab course requirement) or as long as several weeks. This is the student's choice. The second visit is a week-long session in the final summer to present a Capstone Project at the Symposium in Science Education and to fulfill the remaining requirements for the final MSSE 575 course. 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. Campus courses are excellent models of using fieldwork to teach science. Teachers are always welcome to take campus classes.
Campus housing includes several options:
- Single or double dorm rooms offered through Conference Services are recommended for students staying three weeks or less.
- Apartments, townhouses, and houses offered on a contractual basis through Family and Graduate Housing are recommended for students staying longer than a week or are 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.
