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Earth Science Education 
  The teacher preparation program at EMU is currently NCATE accredited and the Earth Science Education Master's program is working toward continuous accreditation. |
The degree is grounded in developing the skills represented in these roles and competencies and will prepare future Earth science educators to be at the forefront in evaluating, incorporating and promoting new developments in Earth science content and pedagogy in the secondary classroom setting.
- Develop a deeper theoretical understanding of critical Earth science concepts.
- Develop advanced methods in Earth science teaching and assessment, including those involving the latest educational technologies.
- Develop the ability to connect Earth science concepts to the real world.
- Develop the skills needed to remain current in the field. This objective is addressed by directly engaging students in research activity.
Career Opportunities
Although there are numerous competencies and sub-competencies, the major responsibilities of secondary-level Earth science educators include:
- Planning, implementing, evaluating and administering effective Earth science education programs
- Implementing Earth science education programs
- Evaluating the effectiveness of Earth science education programs
- Acting as a resource person in Earth science education
- Communicating Earth science education needs, concerns and resources
- Applying appropriate research principles and techniques in Earth science education
- Administering Earth science education programs
- Advancing the profession of Earth science education
Program of Study
Required courses: 12 credit hours (Offered online or in the field)
- ESSC 565 New Approaches to Teaching Earth Science (3)
- ESSC 470 Quantitative Methods in Geography and Geology (3)
- ESSC 554, 555, 556, 557 Field Investigations in Earth Science (1, 2, 3, 6, respectively)
- ESSC 414 Teaching Science with Dinosaurs (3)
- ESSC 425 Severe and Unusual Weather (3)
- ESSC 450 Lake and Coastal Processes (3)
- ESSC 501 Environmental Earth Science for Educators (3)
- ESSC 520 GIS Introduction for Educators (3)*
- ESSC 567 Paleoclimatology (3)
- ESSC 569 Principles of Physical Hydrology for Educators (3)
- ESSC 665 Professional Paper (3)
- ESSC 566 Global Tectonics (3)
Total 30
* Part of the GIS Educator's Certification program (This certification can be earned concurrently with the Earth science education master's degree.)
View course descriptions.
Accreditation
The teacher preparation program at EMU is currently NCATE accredited and the Earth science education master's program is working toward continuous accreditation.
Advising
An Earth science faculty member in the Geography and Geology Department will work with students to assist in the exploration of degree requirements, preliminary evaluation of credentials for admission and preparation of a plan of study. For more information or to schedule an advising appointment, call 734.487.0218.
Admission
- Have or be actively working toward state-level teacher certification. This is not conveyed by this master's degree program.
- Have at least the equivalent of an undergraduate minor in Earth science, geology or physical geography from an accredited institution. Students
who do not meet this requirement may be granted conditional admission
requiring additional undergraduate course work in the program area.
Granting of conditional admission is at the sole discretion of the
department graduate coordinator for the program. Before being admitted
to the program, a student that qualifies for conditional admission will
be provided with a written record of the undergraduate courses he/she
must complete beyond the requirements stipulated in the graduate
program to earn a degree. In most cases, undergraduate deficiencies
will have to be removed before permission will be granted to enroll in
graduate courses.
- Comply with the Graduate School's admission requirements
- Have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.75, or a 3.0 grade point average in the second half of the undergraduate degree program. Applicants not meeting either of these GPA criteria may apply for non-degree admission, provided they meet condition 4 (below). Non-degree admission will not be awarded to students that do not meet condition 4. If a student is admitted as a Non-degree student, he/she must complete 9-12 hours in the graduate program and maintain a 3.0 GPA. The hours completed as a non-degree candidate may be applied to a graduate degree program upon the recommendation of the graduate coordinator. If the applicant is an International student, he/she must receive a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a rating of 4 on the Test of Written English (TWE), and a score of 230 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Alternatively, applicants may gain admission with a minimum score of 80 on the Michigan English Language Ability Battery (MELAB) and a rating of at least 3.0 on the "Oral Interview" portion of the MELAB. The applicant must receive a minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL to be considered for a teaching assistantship.
- Furnish official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Three letters of recommendation that support the student for graduate study.
For More Information
Clarece Jackson
Program Associate, EMU–Online
Eastern Michigan University
101 Boone Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734.487.4153 | Fax: 734.487.6695
Clarece.Jackson@emich.edu
Or visit the graduate admissions Web page.
Read more information by downloading the fact sheet [PDF].