The University of Tennessee - Martin

The Master of Science in Education with a major in Geoscience Education is a cooperative degree program between the School of Education and the Department of Geology, Geography, and Physics available to individuals who obtained a bachelor's degree in education from an accredited college or university and who are professionally licensed to teach elementary or secondary education. The program is intended for teachers seeking advanced training in geoscience disciplines, such as geology, astronomy, meteorology, or general earth science.  The degree program consists of advanced content courses supported by advanced education support courses that lead to both content competency and teaching competency in the geosciences.  The program is specifically aimed as professional development for teachers moving into geoscience education from another science content area, adding earth science or geology courses, or seeking to teach AP or dual credit courses. Complete admission requirements are shown below. This online degree allows the candidate to complete the 37 credit hour Master’s program with 18 credit hours of geoscience courses taught by geoscience faculty. To determine any additional classes you may have to take, students must submit a transcript to XXXXXX.

Conceptual Framework
The goal of the Geoscience Education program is "Earth Literacy” through professional development of present and future educators.  The advanced program's conceptual framework is depicted as four keys that the graduate faculty feel will unlock each candidate's potential. They are: 

KEY 1 Knowledge of Earth & Planetary Processes
KEY 2 Knowledge of Investigative Procedures in the Earth & Planetary Sciences
KEY 3 Methods of Scientific Inquiry
KEY 4 Mastery of Methods of Instruction Related to the Earth & Planetary Sciences

National & State Science Standards

The curriculum is aligned with both National Science Standards and State Science Standards. 

Course Format
Course materials are accessible 24/7 using Blackboard CourseWare.  The courses have discussion, email, chat, assignments and web-conferencing capability.  Students also have free tech support 24/7 through UT Martin’s Help Desk.  All courses for the degree are online with the exception of a 3-credit hour field experience component, which requires face-to-face in the field participation.  Field experiences are individualized and may be completed during summers.  UT Martin runs a variety of field camps that satisfy the

Tuition
Online graduate tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year: in-state students (359/credit hour) and out-of-state students ($391/credit hour).

 Faculty
The Geoscience faculty hold Graduate Faculty status at UT Martin and all have experience in the contents areas they are teaching, online teaching, and K-12 professional development experience.

Accreditation

UT Martin is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone number 404-679-4501) to award bachelors and masters degrees.  UT Martin’s education curriculum is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Admission Requirements

Applicants may be admitted as degree seeking or non-degree seeking (if they want only the special education courses without the degree).  Degree seeking candidates must meet all University requirements as listed in the university catalogue under “Types of Admission.” Applicants for the Advanced Special Education concentration must meet the additional requirements of having an apprentice or professional teaching license in special education.

How to Apply

Program applicants must submit an application for admission and a copy of their teaching license to the Graduate Studies Office, 303 Administration Bldg., UT Martin, Martin, TN, 38238.

Application to the Graduate School includes the following:

1. Apply for admission by one of the following means:

Apply online (click here) and complete the credit card payment of $30 non-refundable application fee ($50 for international students)

Acquire an application form online (click here), complete the form and submit to the Graduate Office with a payment (check or money order) of $30 non-refundable application fee ($50 for international students). This from can also be faxed to 731-881-7499.

Apply in person at the Graduate Office and pay the $30 non-refundable application fee ($50 for international students)

International students must also:
Acquire and submit an international student application from International Programs, 144 Gooch Hall, UT Martin, Martin, TN, 38237. Visit International Programs at http://www.utm.edu/departments/intprog/.
Acquire and submit an application for international graduate admissions from International Programs.

2. Request the Registrars of all colleges and universities attended to send one official transcript to the Graduate Studies Office.

**Additional requirements for unconditional and conditional admission can be found in the university catalog under the Graduate
Admissions section.

Graduate Application: Print | Apply Online
SPED Add-on Checklist- Need to be added to subject area/subject area needs to be changed to Interdisciplinary in the fall

Geoscience Education Class Sequence

Coursework in the degree is divided between an education progression and a geoscience content progression.  Participants should expect to be progressing in each of the two areas simultaneously.