Program FAQs

Program Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Teaching certificate or license
• An endorsement in Biology, Math, Chemistry, Natural Science, Physics or Physical Science

Additional Criteria:

• bet36365体育 has a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average requirement of 2.75 (on a 4.00-point scale).
• The Science/Math Education Program Committee also evaluates the math, science, and teacher education course experience and grades.
• Applicants with middle-grades teaching endorsements may be admitted into the program depending on their level of undergraduate science/math preparation.

If you do not have a teaching certificate/license but if you are actively working towards your teaching certification, if you are teaching in a private school or a school outside the US, we will be happy to consider your application as long your undergraduate background is adequate in math and science fields.

1. Apply for graduate admission online ($45 application fee)
2. Application deadlines:  Spring Admission - October 15th; Summer Admission - Mar 15th; Fall Admission - June 15th
3. Within the application choose Select College:  College of Arts & Sciences
4. Select Program of study:  Science/Math Education (Online)
5. Select Emphasis/Concentration:  Chemistry or Integrated Option 

6. Upload evidence of current or most recent teaching certificate or license and a letter of Intent responding to the following:
   Address letter to Dr. Christopher Exstrom, Professor of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 2401 11^th Ave, Kearney, NE  68849; Describe your current teaching position; Discuss how completing the bet36365体育 Science/Math Education M.S.Ed. Program will help you meet your educational and professional goals; Summarize your undergraduate science, math, and educational training and how it prepared you for our program; If your current teaching certificate or license is from a state other than Nebraska, include a brief explanation of the certification/licensing requirements in your state.

7. Request an official transcripts from all past institutions (outside of the University of Nebraska System) to the Graduate Office.
8. Once your application is complete it will take the Science/Math Education Graduate Committee about two-three weeks to process your application.

Graduate-level courses completed at bet36365体育 or other institutions may be transferred into your degree program upon approval by the Program Director on a course-by-course basis.

• An unlimited number of credit hours that can be transferred in from within the University of Nebraska system. 
• Up to 9 credit hours may be transferred in from institutions outside the University of Nebraska system.
• All courses applying towards a degree must be completed within a 10 year time period

E-mail the Program Coordinator (Janet Steele, steelej@najwc.com) to request any course be transferred into your program.  In your request include a course description via syllabus attachment or web link to the other institution's course catalog.

1. Professional Components (9 hours required)
   • Curriculum Course (3 hours)
     
   • Research Course (3 hours)
   • Pedagogy Course (3 hours)
     
2. Academic Components (24 hours required)
   • INTEGRATED OPTION 24 CREDIT HOURS
     1. Major Emphasis (12 credit hours in an area of endorsement)
     2. Supporting Courses (6 credit hours outside the major emphasis in two disciplines)
     3. Electives (6 hours approved by the advisor prior to enrollment)
   • CHEMISTRY OPTION 24 CREDIT HOURS
     1. Chemical Management and Safety (1 credit hour)
     2. Required Chemistry Courses (11-12 credit hours)
     3. Chemistry electives (5-6 credit hours)
     4. Supporting Courses (6 credit hours in CHEM, BIOL, MATH or PHYS)
3. Capstone (3 hours required)

• • SMED 888 Science/Math Education Capstone

Students will be eligible to register for classes within the appropriate schedule based on the last 4-digits of NUID number.  If you are currently enrolled in at least one class, you are eligible to register during the Early Registration period otherwise you will need to wait until General Registration.

SPRING SEMESTERS
Early Registration - end of October
General Registration - mid-November

SUMMER / FALL SEMESTERS
Early Registration - beginning of April
General Registration - end of April

Yes. You may be assigned two academic advisors which will include program coordinator and director.  The Program Coordinator and Program Director are co-advisors for all Science/Math Education students. Contact either advisor with questions about completing your degree program, degree candidacy, course transfers, etc.

Program Coordinator - Janet Steele (steelej@najwc.com, 308.865.8043)
Program Director - Dr. Chris Exstrom (exstromc@najwc.com, 308.865.8565)

Contact Janet Steele, the Science/Math Education Program Coordinator (steelej@najwc.com,  or (308) 865-8043) to help get into a class that is full. 

If it is a Biology Course, contact Brian Peterson or Robyn Shoenebeck(msbiology@najwc.com, (308) 865-1589) to be added to a wait list or to have a permit issued.

As soon as you meet all of the following requirements, apply for candidacy:

• You have completed at least 1/3 (12 credit-hours) of your degree program from bet36365体育
• Your GPA is at least 3.00
• If you were conditionally admitted, all conditions have been met

Complete the top portion of the Candidacy Form

Sign the form on the "Student Signature" line and scan/email it to the Science/Math Education Program Coordinator:

Janet Steele
Science/Math Education Program
Email: steelej@najwc.com
 

1. During the final semester, the student must file a formal application for graduation in MyBlue (http://myblue.najwc.com) and will be assessed a $25 fee.
2. Application Deadlines:
   • September 15^th for December graduation
   • February 1^st for May Graduation
   • June 15^th for July graduation
3. Each semester students are invited to attend the commencement ceremony but attendance is not mandatory.
4. Students must have all degree requirements completed prior to participating in a commencement ceremony.
5. All academic requirements must be completed and financial indebtedness paid to the University prior to the posting of the degree and release of transcripts.
6. If all degree requirements (academically and financially) are not completed by the anticipated graduation date, then the student must re-apply and will be reassessed the $25 graduation fee in order to graduate in a future term.
7. Official graduation procedure can be found online at http://catalog.najwc.com/graduate/academics/degrees/graduation-procedures/.