Maker Space Class

Quick Facts

  • Modality: In-person
  • Degrees offered: Master of Education, M.Ed. and Master of Science, M.S.
  • Credits: 30
  • Length of Program: 2-3 years
  • Application Deadline: January 1, for entry following Fall

Program Overview

The School of Education offer an M.Ed. and M.S. in education with a focus in Science Education. The M.Ed. is a 30-credit degree designed to support the professional practice of in-service teachers. The M.S. is a 30-credit degree designed for students who want to develop skills as educational researchers. 

Faculty expertise includes ambitious science teaching, equity in science education, integrative approaches to elementary STEM education, pre-service science teacher education, and professional development and mentoring of in-service science teachers. Science education faculty often collaborate in grant-funded research with colleagues in the SOE, across campus (e.g. engineering), and nationally. 

For students interested in licensure recommendation, the School of Education offers an Educator Preparation Program. If you have a bachelor’s degree in science (or a closely related field) and want to teach science to students in grades 5-12, you will want to join our  M.A.T. science education program, which leads to licensure.

Curriculum

The M.Ed. in Education is a 30-credit degree designed to support the professional practice of in-service teachers.  

The M.S. in Education is a 30-credit degree is designed to support the development of a background in educational research. Graduates with a M.S. often continue on to Ph.D. programs, either at Iowa State or another university. 

Required Courses:

  • EDUC 5330: Theories of Learning
  • EDUC 5060: Social Justice Education and Teaching
  • EDUC 5150: Action Research in Education

Course descriptions can be accessed via the Iowa State course catalog.

In addition to the 9 credits of required coursework, 21 credits of coursework in the focus area (Math Ed) are determined in consultation with the students’ major professor. A major professor will be assigned at the point of admission.

Students may transfer in courses that substitute for the School of Education course requirements if there is agreement among area faculty that the student has already taken an equivalent graduate course at another institution or ISU. ISU/SOE policy allows up to 9 credits to be transferred to a master’s degree program. No more than 6 of those credits may be 8-10 years old. At least 22 credits must be earned at ISU.

Required Courses:

  • RESEV 5500: Introduction to Educational Research
  • One additional research course (as determined appropriate by APC)

One of the following:

  • EDUC 5330: Theories of Learning
  • EDUC 5360X: Sociocultural Learning Theory
  • EDUC 6120: Socio-psychological Foundations of Educational Technology

One course in the Education for Social Justice Graduate Certificate

Students must also take 3 credits of thesis (Graduate College requirement).

Course descriptions can be accessed via the Iowa State course catalog.

The 15 credits of coursework that are in addition to the 12 credits of coursework in the division-level core and the 3 credits of thesis required by the Graduate College are determined by any area (e.g. language, literacy, and learning) or emphasis (e.g. special education) specific requirements and in consultation with the students’ Academic Plan Committee (APC).

EDUC 5330, EDUC 5360X, and EDUC 6120 all meet the core requirement for a course in theories of learning. The APC will determine which course a student must take to meet the requirement.

Students may transfer in courses that substitute for the School of Education M.S. course requirements if the APC determines that the student has already taken an equivalent graduate course at another institution or ISU. ISU/SOE policy allows up to 9 credits to be transferred to a master’s degree program. No more than 6 of those credits may be 8-10 years old. At least 22 credits must be earned at ISU.

Affiliated Faculty

Ben Van Dusen

Associate Professor

Department: School of Education

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E.J. Bahng

Associate Professor

Department: School of Education

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Application Information

This program has the following application deadlines:   

  • January 1, for entry following Fall

Complete the online graduate application. Applications require:    

  • Statement of Purpose   
  • Resume/CV   
  • Scholarly writing example   
  • Three reference who will provide letters of support   
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended  

For more information, visit our Graduate Application Information and Frequently Asked Questions page.