K-8 Mathematics and Science Education (MEd) (2024)

The Master of Education in K-8 Mathematics and Science Education program prepares teachers to improve the quality of teaching and learning in mathematics and science in grades K-8.

The K-8 Mathematics and Science Education MEd program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including 15 credit hours of core courses, 15 credit hours of specialization content pedagogical courses, and six credit hours of thesis work or the nonthesis option, which focuses on either completing and submitting findings of a research project to a refereed journal or developing a portfolio in preparation for National Board Certification for Teachers.

Total Credit Hours Required: 36 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Program Prerequisites

A professional Florida teaching certificate in one of the following areas: elementary education, mathematics education (middle school or secondary), or science education (middle school or secondary).

Three years of teaching experience.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

30 Total Credits

• Details

Core

15 Total Credits

• Complete the following:
  • EDF6472 - Data-Driven Decision-Making for Instruction (3)
  • EEX6342 - Seminar-Critical Issues in Special Education (3)
  • IDS6937 - Teaching Mathematics and Science Using Reform-Based Practices (3)
  • IDS6939 - Reforming Curriculum in Mathematics and Science Education (3)
  • IDS6516 - Leadership Development for Mathematics and Science Teachers (3)

Specialization

15 Total Credits

• Complete the following:
  • SCE5836 - Space and Physical Science for Educators (3)
  • ISC6146 - Environmental Education for Educators (3)
  • MAE6899 - Seminar in Teaching Mathematics (3)
  • MAE6318 - Current Methods in Elementary School Mathematics (3)
  • MAE6641 - Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills (3)

Thesis/Nonthesis Option

6 Total Credits

• Complete 1 of the following
  Thesis Option
  • Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: IDS 6971 - Thesis The College of Graduate Studies Thesis and Dissertation page (https://graduate.ucf.edu/thesis-and-dissertation/) contains information on the university's requirements for dissertation formatting, format review, defenses, final submission, and more. A step-by-step completion guide is also available on the Thesis and Dissertation Services (https://apps.graduate.ucf.edu/ETD_Student_Services/) site. The following requirements must be met by dissertation students in their final term: · Submit a properly formatted file for initial format review by the format review deadline · Submit the Thesis and Dissertation Release Option form well before the defense · Defend by the defense deadline · Receive format approval (if not granted upon initial review) · Submit signed approval form by final submission deadline · Submit final thesis or dissertation document by final submission deadline
  Nonthesis Option
  • Complete all of the following
    • Complete the following:
      • IDS6910 - Research in Mathematics and Science Education (3)
      • EDG6329 - Quality Teaching Practices (3)
    • Non-thesis scholars will engage in an action research analyzing an issue or challenge in their own classroom teaching practice or school procedures in the areas of mathematics and/or science. An action research project includes the application of research methodologies, literature review, data collection, and data analysis. As part of Capstone Course, the culminating activities are final paper report and poster presentation of the action research project. A research advisor will be selected to collaborate with the scholar in the development of the action research. In this context, action research refers to a wide variety of evaluative, investigative, and analytical research methods designed to diagnose problems or weaknesses (organizational, academic, or instructional) and help teachers develop practical solutions to address them quickly and efficiently. The general goal is to investigate a practical approach that leads to increasingly better results for schools, teachers, or programs. It typically follows a predefined process; for example: 1. identify a problem to be studied, 2. collect data on the problem, 3. organize, analyze, and interpret the data, 4. develop a plan to address the problem, 5. implement the plan, 6. evaluate the results of the actions taken, 7. identify a new problem, and 8. if necessary, repeat the process. Unlike more formal research studies, such as those conducted by universities and published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, action research is typically conducted by the teachers working school being studied. It involves less formal, prescriptive, or theory-driven research methods, since the goal is to address practical problems in a specific school or classroom, rather than produce independently validated and reproducible findings. It is typically focused on solving or answering a specific question; for example, Why are so many of our ninth graders failing mathematics?

Grand Total Credits: 36

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

Independent Learning

A thesis or action research project is required.