Department of Curriculum and InstructionMaster of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) |
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Programs and Degrees> Graduate: Masters programs> Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Secondary ScienceMaster of Science in Education (M.S.) | Master of Education (M.Ed.) | Master of Education with Secondary Mathematics Licensure | Curriculum and Instructional Technology (Minor)
We have a masters level licensure program that has been developed for individuals already possessing an undergraduate science degree.
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Programs
Required Courses
| For Licensure in | Acceptable Major(s) |
| Biology | Biology |
| Chemistry | Chemistry Chemical Engineering Biochemistry Materials Science Engineering Soil Chemistry Geochemistry Water/Hydrochemistry Environmental Science (Not Environmental Studies) Forensic Science |
| Physics | Physics Aerospace Engineering Agricultural Engineering Construction Engineering Electrical Engineering Engineering Science Industrial Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering |
| Earth Science | Geology Astronomy Meteorology |
Primary areas of endorsement for other majors: If your degree is in a more specialized or hybrid
field, such as horticulture or animal science, we will need to review your transcripts. The state of
Iowa has specific requirements for licensure and we need to ensure your coursework is aligned
with those requirements. All primary areas of endorsement must have 24 credit hours in the
desired content area, or 30 hours in science with 15 of those hours in that content area. All
majors other than those listed above must have transcripts reviewed and courses approved by
program faculty. When we review your transcripts, we will need to see a bachelors degree in a
science-related field, the required credit hours in science listed above, and a minimum of the
following coursework:
| For Licensure in | Essential Coursework |
| Biology | 1 year general biology with lab Genetics course Cell/molecular biology (e.g. cytology, histology, biochemistry) Ecology course Biological evolution course 4 additional biology courses at the 300+ level (12 credits) 2 years of chemistry Options at ISU: 177, 177L, 178, 178L, 331, 331L, 332 Or: 163, 163L, 164, 164L, 231, 231L, 211, 211L Or: 163, 163L, 164, 164L, 231, 231L, BB301 1 semester of physics 1 year of math/statistics (one course has to be math, not statistics) |
| Chemistry | 1 year of inorganic chemistry for majors plus lab (8 credits) 1 year organic chemistry for majors plus lab (8 credits) Quantitative analysis (Chem. 211 and 211L) (4 credits) |
| Physics | 1 year classical physics plus lab Modern physics plus lab 12 credits of upper-division physics, astronomy, or physical chemistry, fluid mechanics, statics of engineering, dynamics, thermodynamics, or engineering thermodynamics, or electrical engineering coursework from 200 level and above related to circuits |
| Earth Science | 1 year of geology plus lab Methods in geology (technology) Field study Mineralogy/Earth materials Structural geology Petrology Stratigraphy/sedimentation Meteorology 1 year astronomy 1 year chemistry plus lab 1 year physics 1 mathematics course 1 biology course |
able to obtain additional endorsements, depending on your university science coursework. For
example, many biology majors find that a second endorsement in chemistry is quite easy to
obtain. In some situations, an individual’s coursework may already meet state requirements
while in other cases a few additional courses will be needed. We advise earning multiple
endorsements as this will afford you optimal flexibility when you begin looking for a teaching
position. However, we do caution you to avoid endorsement in an area where you do not possess
sufficient content understanding. Strong science content knowledge is necessary for effective
teaching and children deserve teachers who are knowledgeable in their field.
Second areas of endorsement in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science require a primary
area of endorsement plus an additional 15 credit hours in the content of the second endorsement
area.
For a second area of endorsement in general science, a primary area of endorsement in biology,
chemistry, or physics is required, with at least one course in each of these areas. For a second
endorsement area in physical science, a primary area of endorsement in chemistry, physics, or
earth science is required, with at least one course in each of these areas.
Are the teacher preparation courses part of the master's degree?
Yes. The 15 month program is a master’s level licensure program, so all of the teacher
preparation courses count toward the M.A.T. degree. Upon successful completion of the
program, graduates will have a master’s degree from ISU and will be recommended to the State
of Iowa for licensure. The state actually issues the license. It requires completion of a stateapproved
licensure program and a background check.
If I enroll in the program, how often would I need to travel to Ames?
Courses vary by semester, and student teaching can be done in several locations near Ames,
including Des Moines. The program structure may vary, but tends to look something like this:
May: One course that meets two or three evenings a week for three or four weeks. During this
course you will also be required to spend a minimum of 20 clock hours observing teachers and
students in the public schools. Another late afternoon or evening class likely will meet beginning
sometime in May.
Mid-June through mid July: Two courses that typically meet M-F during the day.
Fall semester: Three classes that meet Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings (the days
may change in the future). Also required is a semester long field experience that requires you to
keep open your mornings (8-noon) or afternoons (noon to 3) the entire semester so that you can
be placed in a field experience where you will be videotaped.
Spring semester: 16 weeks of student teaching plus one course that meets on Monday evenings.
May/July: One course meets three late afternoons a week for four weeks. A second class will
meet sometime during May-July. The creative component is also completed at this time.
How is this program different than alternative licensure programs such as those offered online or through some school-district "fast track" programs?
If you are going to make the significant commitment and take on the enormous responsibility to
teach children, a quality program is much more likely to help you become an effective science
teacher. Those who graduate from alternative licensure programs are rarely prepared for the
demands of teaching in today’s schools, and are more than twice as likely to leave the profession.
Effective science teacher education requires that complex sets of teacher behaviors and
pedagogical strategies be modeled and explicitly taught to teacher education students, and that
these experiences are coupled with closely supervised field experiences where important support
and feedback is provided. Whatever avenue you pursue for science teacher licensure, ensure that
you receive multiple science methods courses (not just a general methods class), multiple early
field experiences under the guidance of a cooperating teacher, educational psychology, and
coursework that is taught by faculty who are both scholars in the field and have significant K-12
teaching experience. Teaching is a very difficult profession that is both cognitively and
emotionally taxing. Quality preparation is a must!
Is there a limit on the number of people admitted to the program?
Yes. Enrollment is limited because students must be placed in classrooms for practicum
experiences and student teaching.
Last update: September 16, 2009
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Department of Curriculum and Instruction |
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