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The Program Director works with each student to create a customized Course of Studies to suit their unique goals, preferences, and interests. Examples of templates are shown below, but note that there is some flexibility in the pace with which students opt to complete the program. We are able to accommodate milestones within the primary program for students who are dual-enrolled in another graduate program.
Summary of General Requirements
All students must complete graduate-level coursework in both their chosen discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, engineering, geoscience, physics, mathematics) and in pedagogical disciplines. The mix between the two and the total number of credit hours required to complete the degree differs depending on each student's disciplinary background experience and educational career goals. Because MST is a course-based M.S. program, there is no formal thesis defense. In lieu of a master's thesis, students in this program complete a "Teacher Work Sample" (TWS) within their Half-Time Teaching Internship. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher to remain in good academic standing.
A summary of the coursework for this program is provided below:
- Pedagogical Core Coursework
- SMT 5305 Classroom Interactions -or- ISC 5295 College Science Teaching and Learning
- Additional 2-4 approved SCE 5xxx courses and/or other education electives
- Apprentice Teaching
- Note on eligibility to enroll in Teaching Internships:
- International students must demonstrate spoken English competency by obtaining a score of 26 or higher on the spoken part of the IBTOEFL and/or passing the SPEAK test with a score of 50 or better before registering for internships
- All students must complete 18 approved graduate credit hours in content area (e.g., biology) and/or an in-field master's degree before registering for their Full-Time Internship
- Students complete two teaching internships at the college level (typically at Tallahassee Community College) along with co-requisite seminar courses:
- Half-Time Teaching Internship (ISC 5946 and ISC 5944): Each student shadows an experienced instructor in their content area for a semester and teaches one unit of instruction.
- During this Half-Time Teaching Internship, students will complete a Teacher Work Sample focused on preparing for their unit of instruction and analyzing their own teaching practices.
- Full-Time Teaching Internship (ISC 5945 and ISC 5098): Each student teaches a lecture and lab section, or two lecture sections, of a course in their content area.
- Note on eligibility to enroll in Teaching Internships:
- Graduate Content Coursework
- Students must complete a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours and/or a master's degree in content area (e.g., biology).
Stand-Alone Program of Studies
Students who are pursuing MST as a stand-alone M.S. program after completion of a B.S. degree in a STEM discipline may follow the below template.
Dual Enrolled Program of Studies
Students who are pursuing MST concurrently with a graduate degree in one of FSU’s STEM departments with the permission of both programs may follow the below template.
