Master of Science in the Science of Instruction

The master of science in Science of Instruction program builds on Drexel’s discipline-based Teacher Education program at the undergraduate level and on the graduate certification programs at the graduate level. Coursework leading towards Teacher Education, Graduate Intern Certification, Instructional Technology Specialist, School Principal, and/or Teaching English as a Second Language certification typically form the core of the master’s degree. The same requirements for Intern and Instructional I Certification apply.

The majority of options for the Teacher Education concentration of the master’s program are designed for those who wish to teach high school mathematics, science, and / or technology, especially as a subsequent career. The program is especially appropriate for those who already possess a degree in mathematics, science, or engineering. In addition, the program is relevant to individuals in careers such as business and communications who wish to teach at the elementary grade levels. The program is designed for part-time as well as full-time study. Full-time students can usually complete the program in one year. Both the Pennsylvania Intern Certificate and the Instructional I Certificate may be satisfied through this program before the degree requirements are met.

The graduate Science of Instruction program incorporates current research on teaching and provides in-depth preparation in pedagogy, curriculum development, heuristic diagnostic teaching, implications of learner and task characteristics for instructional design, the latest techniques in evaluation of instruction, and use of interactive technology in instruction.

The student is provided opportunities to synthesize theoretical and practical knowledge through field study in elementary and secondary classrooms. Students are required to engage in classroom research as a component of several of the required courses. The major goal of the program is to prepare teachers who will strengthen mathematics, science, and technology instruction in kindergarten through high school.

Certification for the classroom instruction is available in the following areas:

• Elementary Education (grades K-6)
• Secondary Level (grades 7-12) Certification Areas
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth & Space Science
  • General Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
    
• Grades K-12 Certification Areas
  • Environmental Education
  • Library Science

Admission Requirements
Applicants for the master’s degree in Science of Instruction are encouraged to complete an interview with a teacher education advisor before completing a graduate application. During this interview the applicant’s transcripts are evaluated in relation to Pennsylvania state standards for certification or an add-on certification area and for formalizing a specific program of study. If coursework is dated, a content exam may be required. Life experience that demonstrates knowledge of the content area will be considered. Additional coursework in the content area may be required to meet certification standards. In addition, applicants must meet the general admissions requirements of graduate studies at Drexel University.

Degree Requirements
A minimum of 45 credits is required for those students with or without prior certification (including 15 credits of professional electives). Students must achieve the grade of B or better in each graduate-level course in order to count toward the master’s degree. To satisfy certification requirements, the grade of B or better also is needed for all graduate-level courses required for each certificate area in addition to passing the Praxis Exam requirements.

Core Courses for General Master’s Degree Track
At a minimum, 23 pedagogy credits will be required from the core courses for those without prior teacher certification. Students without prior certification or those seeking an add-on certification will select 11 credits from the core courses.

*Not available to those with prior teacher certification.

Concentration Electives for General Master’s Degree Track
For students without prior teacher certification, seven credits are required, selected from the categories listed here. Course work in the Instructional Technology Specialist, School Principal, and/or Teaching English as a Second Language Certification programs may count toward Concentration or Professional electives. Students with prior certification must complete 19 credits of Concentration electives in the suggested areas below:

• Mathematics and science
• Technological pedagogy
• Applied pedagogy

Evaluation of transcripts by a program advisor in relation to Pennsylvania state standards determines the required content courses for initial certification and add-on certification. To satisfy state certification requirements, undergraduate courses may be taken in instances where graduate courses are not appropriate. These undergraduate courses will not satisfy graduate degree requirements. However, they will satisfy certification requirements and may satisfy requirements for salary increments in certain school districts. For those with prior certification who do not wish add-on certification, but desire to further professional competence, a distribution of courses from the content categories is selected under advisement on an individual basis.

Professional Electives
Students with or without prior certification select 12-15 credits of professional electives. Professional electives are selected with the advice of a program advisor to strengthen mathematics and science knowledge, to refine and update pedagogy competence, to broaden general education, to gain knowledge about the general nature of information and information materials, to develop and refine skills in integrating technology into instruction, and to ensure that certification standards are satisfied. Professional electives may be completed with any course in the Concentration areas. Any graduate course offered in the University may serve as a professional elective if the student has adequate preparation to take the course and it is deemed appropriate by the program advisor. The 12-15 credits of professional electives may be comprised of a combination of up to three Performance Learning Systems (PLS) courses and / or approved transfer credits. PLS courses must be taken at Drexel to count toward the master’s degree.

Master of Science of Instruction Through Drexel's Saturday Scholars Program

Drexel University is pleased to make available to the Philadelphia residents Drexel School of Education’s timely, convenient, and affordable master’s degree program, Science of Instruction. This program emphasizes the appropriate use of technology in the teaching and learning process coupled with current theories and strategies to help degree recipients affect leadership and positive change in their schools.

This program is specifically designed to provide those who posses a baccalaureate degree as well as working teachers with the opportunity to accelerate the pace of their graduate degree completion by attending classes on Saturdays and, for students seeking an even more accelerated option, Saturdays and summers. Non-certified teachers may incorporate the required courses necessary for a Pennsylvania Intern and Instructional I Teaching Certificate. The delivery of courses is modeled on Drexel’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies highly successful Saturday Scholar Program. Depending upon previous graduate work and summer availability, this accelerated model will allow some students to complete their Masters within a year. Courses take place on Drexel’s technologically-enhanced, state-of-the-art wireless campus.

Flexibility in Scheduling
For the Science of Instruction M.S. program, we offer two distinct models for scheduling, as follows:

Saturdays and Intensive Summer Study:
For those who may have the summer off, classes can be taken on a full-time basis (3 to 4 classes Saturdays and/or weekdays) during two consecutive summer terms, and part-time (two classes) Saturdays during the three quarters in between. Students can complete the program in as little as fifteen months—even less for those with previous graduate credits. As much as possible, members of each cohort begin and finish their degree programs together, helping create a sense of community. A new cohort will be recruited to start each summer.

Saturday Scholars Program:
For those who may not be interested or able to take a full load during the summer term, we propose a nominal seven terms, Saturday program (two courses per term). Students able to transfer graduate credits would be able to complete the program in less time, as described below. As already mentioned, the members of each cohort will stay together until they complete their degrees, fostering a sense of community. New cohorts will be recruited to start each fall and spring term.

We anticipate two groups of applicants: those with no accrued graduate courses to transfer to this program (they need to take the maximum load of 45 credits to graduate); and those who would be able to transfer up to 15 credits towards their degrees (they need to take 30 more credits to graduate). Based on the demand of our undergraduate Saturday Scholars programs, we anticipate each cohort size to be between 15 and 20.

The Drexel M.S. in Science of Instruction: Educational Leadership and Technology Certification with Flexibility

The Drexel M.S. degree in Science of Instruction helps certified teachers realize their potential as educational leaders or leaders in instructional technology. It carries with it the option to "add on" certification as Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) or earn a Principal Certificate.

A minimum of 45 graduate quarter hour credits, (30 semester hour credits), are required for the degree. A maximum of up to 15 graduate quarter hour credits, (10 semester hour credits), may be transferred into the program as Professional Electives. In addition to the master’s degree, Instructional Technology Specialist and/or School Principal (K-12) certification will be provided to successful candidates who possess a valid Instructional I or II teaching certificate.

Course work in the M.S. degree program for Saturday Scholars may include:

*Includes a required Internship.