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Natural Science (Middle-Level Science MSC)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Graduate Endorsement

Graduate Concentration

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Advance your career as a science teacher

Furthering your education as a teacher is a huge accomplishment and something to celebrate! It’s a wonderful way to gain community with other teachers in your field, further your education and advance your pay scale and career. In this unique program, teachers earn a Master of Science and a middle-level science endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB).

The best part? This program is specifically designed to support full-time teachers. All core courses are offered in person on the UW Laramie campus for four weeks each June. The remaining courses are offered online in the fall or spring.

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Program Details

Tuition and Fees

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Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Education
Science and Mathematics Teaching Center

About the Master’s in Natural Science

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The master’s in natural science endorsement program is a flexible, unique program that was specifically designed to support full-time teachers. This program typically takes three to four years to complete. It includes core course rotations that are offered in person in Laramie, WY each summer. These modules take place over the course of four weeks each June. Each summer you will take a different course rotation, including physical sciences, earth sciences and life sciences.

The remaining courses are offered online in the fall and spring semesters. Online courses are completed synchronously, after school hours, meaning you get to virtually meet face-to-face with your professors and classmates while maintaining your current teaching schedule.

This program is also supported by a generous endowment that covers tuition for all Wyoming teachers enrolled. Instead of awarding funds based on financial need or academic merit, the support is distributed equally to all participants.

All graduates receive the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) endorsement for middle-level science. 

To be considered for the program, teachers must:

  • Have at least two years of teaching experience.
  • Submit a writing sample in response to the provided prompts.
  • Have a valid teaching license.
  • Provide three letters of recommendation, including a letter from the teacher’s principal or employer.

 

Admission requirements

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Why get a master’s degree and middle-level science endorsement?

 

There are many reasons that teachers seek additional education, and this program accomplishes all of them! A master’s in natural science and a middle-level science endorsement enable teachers to advance their careers and, oftentimes, their pay scale. The program also provides advanced education to improve the teaching and knowledge you bring to the classroom.

In addition to the tangible benefits the program provides, teachers also get to interact with other science teachers from across the state to network, share techniques and learn together.

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Master’s in Science Education Program Highlights

Our graduates leave UW with an M.S. in Natural Science and a middle-level science endorsement. They also graduate with so much more! Our students gain an in-depth science education and get to connect with other science educators across the state. Learn more about what our students love about this program.

Flexible Schedule

Perhaps the best part of this program is that it provides ultimate flexibility to full-time working teachers. Core courses are offered for four weeks each June. This allows teachers to gather in person to learn and find community with peers. Other courses are offered online in the fall and spring.

Middle-Level Science Endorsement

All graduates receive a middle-level science endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB). This endorsement comes from completing the core 24 credit hours within the program — these are the courses you’ll take on-campus each summer.

Connection with Other Science Teachers

Connecting with other teachers is always a highlight of the program! Each June, teachers gather on campus for classes and get the opportunity to network and spend time with each other. Teachers frequently mention how much they love getting to connect with colleagues in their field over the summer while they aren’t working in schools.

Interactive Experiences

Teachers study different areas of science each summer during the program. In coordination with course rotations, you’ll go on exciting field trips to learn more about various science principles. For example, teachers go on geology-related field trips during the Earth science rotation.

Tuition Support

This program receives a generous endowment that provides tuition support for all Wyoming teachers enrolled in the program. Rather than using need-based or merit-based criteria, the funds are distributed equally among all participants.

Unique Course Rotations

This degree has unique courses that differ from typical graduate-level education programs. Our unique curriculum helps teachers deepen their science knowledge and bring new information to their classrooms. Examples of courses you’ll take during the program include:

Energy Policies and Impacts
Math and Stats in Science Teaching
Astronomy for Teachers
Earth Science in a Global Context
Insects for Teachers
Global Populations and Environments

My professional practice changed through this program by [incrementally] working on moving away from being a teacher-led to a student-led classroom.

Related Programs

Interested in a master’s in natural science and middle-level science endorsement? These programs may also be of interest to you:

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Science and Mathematics Teaching Center (SMTC)

242 Hill Hall

Department 4320, 1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-6381

Email: smtc@uwyo.edu