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About the Integrative STEM Education Graduate Certificate

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GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Expand your understanding of Integrative STEM Education as you research curricular connections and integrative strategies for design-based teaching and learning of STEM content and practices.

The  Graduate Certificate in Integrative STEM Education emphasizes on the integrative approach and the connections among the subjects. We have found that framing problems in terms of a design-based challenge provides an excellent springboard for such investigations.

The Graduate Certificate in Integrative STEM Education is appropriate for advanced graduate students considering careers such as higher education faculty, research scientists, educational administrators, funding agency program directors, and policymakers.

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WHAT YOU'LL STUDY

Integrative STEM Education Graduate Certificate Requirements: Students must take at least twelve credit hours from the Integrative STEM Education core courses listed below that prepare educators and leaders to teach and/or facilitate new integrative approaches in STEM education.

Please review this document for specifics.

Complete the following Integrative STEM Education Core Courses:

  • EDCI 5804: STEM Education Foundations (3 semester hours – Fall Semester)
  • EDCI 5814 STEM Education Pedagogy (3 semester hours – Fall Semester)
  • EDCI 5774: PR: Readings in Technology Education (3 semester hours – Fall or Spring Semesters)
  • EDCI 5854: Biotechnology Literacy by Design (3 semester hours – Spring Semesters)

Alternative Course (can replace EDCI 5854)

  • EDCI 5824: STEM Education Trends and Issues (3 semester hours – Spring Semester)

Visit the Application page for more information on how to apply, including requirements, deadlines, and what you'll need in detail.

Course Descriptions

Provides an introduction to the nature of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, and their corresponding STEM education disciplines; the inherent connections, confluences, and differences among the STEM and STEM education disciplines; the frameworks, standards, and infrastructures that govern the teaching of these subjects in K-16 STEM education; and other social, political, theoretical, and philosophical ideas and influences that underlie K-16 STEM education. Graduate standing required.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Provides an ordered investigation into the instructional practices and signature pedagogies of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines as a means for developing purposefully integrative approaches for teaching/learning the content of these disciplines. Through study of the epistemologies, philosophies, strengths, and limitations associated with STEM signature pedagogies, students come to know a set of blended pedagogical practices that serve to enhance individual practices within their chosen fields. Graduate standing required.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Historical & philosophical foundations, contemporary trends & issues, research, etc.

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 6

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 6

Level: Graduate

Addresses the field of biotechnology through technological design as a core curricular requirement reflective of the national Standards for Technological Literacy (STL) (ITEA, 2000). Using problem/project-based instruction, students develop a level of general science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education literacy necessary for K-12 STEM educators to teach about biotechnology from a technological/engineering design approach. Students examine the content areas of biotechnology and apply the technological design method as they explore a variety of purposefully designed integrative instructional strategies for teaching at the intersections of the STEM disciplines. This project-oriented course provides students with the opportunity to apply instructional theories, principles, and practices in the design of authentic problem-based instructional units appropriate for inclusion into the K-12 STEM Education curriculum. Graduate standing required.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

An exploration of contemporary K-16 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education trends and issues, including both integrative and within-discipline STEM education trends/issues. Topics addressed include STEM literacy, integrative approaches to STEM education, the changing role of design and inquiry in STEM education, STEM education-related legislation, change theory, state and federal funding, and extracurricular STEM education initiatives. Graduate standing required.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY

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John Wells, Professor and Program Leader
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Bradley Bowen, Assistant Professor