Science Education Concentration

Master of Science Degree - Track 2
Admission and Progression

1. Pre-Admission to the Science Education Licensure program

a. Candidates must complete at least 75 semester hours of college courses with a 2.70 overall grade point average (g.p.a.). Candidates' overall g.p.a. in the desired licensure subject BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, OR GEOLOGY (BCPorG) should be 2.5 or higher.

b. Candidates must complete two required screening tests - a speech and hearing examination and a basic skills test called the Praxis 1: Pre-professional Skills Test (PPST). There are two exemptions from the PPST: 1) candidates with enhanced ACT scores of 22 or combined SAT scores of 1020 and 2) candidates with a Bachelor's degree. Times, dates, and registration materials for these screening tests are available in the College's Advising office, A332 Claxton.

c. Candidates should enroll in Botany 531, any spring semester, or discuss with the Science Education Advisor (see below) how the independent study in science research guideline for licensure will be fulfilled.

2. Admission into SCIENCE Education

a. Candidates should complete all of the above requirements during the junior or senior year or as soon as possible if one has a Bachelors Degree. Post-baccalaureate candidates not holding a degree in BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, OR GEOLOGY must eventually complete 30 semester hours in the desired licensure subject (BCPorG) to include 15 semester hours at the 300 level or higher.

b. A geology course is now required of all candidates before licensure.

c. After all of the above screening tests have been completed, candidates can apply to be interviewed with the Science Education Admission Board. Candidates may interview as early as the sophomore year. The Board makes recommendations to the Science Education Advisor(s) who make the final decision regarding who is admitted to the Science Education Licensure Track II program. Candidates should plan ahead by meeting the prerequisites and being interviewed no later than the fall semester preceding the internship year. (Admitted candidates may be accepted for the following fall or a subsequent fall depending upon available slots.)

d. Application to the Graduate School should precede the year of internship.
Undergraduate students will continue to meet with their science department advisor until completion of the baccalaureate degree. However, after admission to the SCIENCE Education Licensure Track II, each candidate is responsible for meeting with the SCIENCE Education advisor (listed below) each semester prior to the internship or risk losing admission status.

3. Completing the Required Professional Courses

Admitted candidates will complete a prescribed set of courses.  Certain courses must be completed before the internship year begins, other courses must be taken in conjunction with the internship, and the remainder is normally completed following the internship. For a list of courses see "Course of Study" under M.S. - Track 2.

Science Education Advisor: Dr. Claudia T. Melear, A406 Claxton Complex, (865) 974-5394, ctmelear@utk.edu

Secretary, Beth Huemmer, A405 Claxton Complex, (865) 974-7712.

 

Contact CEHHS

335 Claxton Complex 1122 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996

Phone: 865-974-2201
Fax: 865-974-8718