Science Education

Specialist in Science Education Program (Ed.S.)

General Information about the Specialist Programs

The Specialist degree is a self-contained degree program intermediate between a masters degree and a doctoral degree both in time and depth. It provides advanced study for those preparing for positions which call for a higher level of competence and specialization than that of the master's degree but without the heavy emphasis on research of the doctoral degree. Completion of the Ed.S. program in Science Education is intended to prepare students to serve as master teachers, department heads, science instructional supervisors and instructions of introductory science courses in junior, community or four-year colleges, and to obtain certification at the T-6 level in the State of Georgia. A Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a T-5 certification in science (or its equivalent) are among the requirements for admission to this program.

Complete brochure on the Specialist's Program

Admission requirements:

Admission to the Graduate School
Hold a master 's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a T-5 certification in science (or its equivalent).
have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 in all graduate work (4.0 = A).
submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) combined score of 900 or above and verbal of 400 or above.
comply with any other admission requirements stipulated by the Departmental screening committee.

Because of the first requirement above, it is assumed that there will be courses completed in the Master's program that will apply to the requirements for the Specialist Degree. Therefore, at times, this program may be referred to as the "combined Masters and Specialist program".

The following program requirements will denote minimum requirements that include appropriate courses completed as part of a Masters degree. Use of outside courses for the Specialist Program of Study is subject to approval by candidate's advisor.

Also, please check for prerequisites for specific courses.

Mimimum Course Work for Ed.S. Program*

Course Area / Degree Requirement Courses/Semester hours Notes

Science** 15 semester hours (typically 5 courses) Courses from disciplines ranging from astronomy to zoology are available. All science courses must be taken at the graduate level (6000 or above course number)

Science Education 18 semester hours
(typically 6 courses) At least 9 hours must be specific to Science Education. Additional courses from other disciplines may be elected with approval of advisor.

Educational Foundations 9 semester hours
(typically 3 courses) Select from Educational Psychology, Philosophy, History, or Sociological offerings. At least one course in Educational Psychology and one course in the social foundations of education.

Educational Research 9 semester hours
(typically 3 courses) Courses in Quantitative or Qualitative based research. ESCI 7000 and ESCI 7300 count towards this requirement.

Final Research Project 1 course equaling 3 semester hours With approval of advisorESCI 7650 - Decide on topics of possible interest with advisor as soon in the student's program as possible.

Electives 9 semester hours
(typically 3 courses) Determined with advisor.

Special Requirements Exit Requirements Students must present their research findings for approval to a faculty committee.

*For this degree, you must take a minimum of 30 semester hours (s.h.) above and beyond coursework completed for your Master's Program, regardless of how many courses from your Master's Program are included in your Ed.S Program of Study. Thus, any deficit in the 30 s.h. requirement must be made up through electives taken solely for the Ed.S. degree. So, your actual minimum s.h. requirement may vary, depending on your particular situation. Please see your Advisor for guidance.
**The combined Masters and Specialist programs must include a minimum of 15 semester hours (typically 5 courses) of work in a science field.

Program of Study workheet for the Ed.S. degree