Master of Science in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering Education

The Master of Science in MSTE Education program prepares educators to work in the development and implementation of research, curriculum materials, and educational activities in formal and informal mathematics, science, technology, or engineering education settings, such as schools, research centers, museums, industry, cultural institutions, and community agencies. It also prepares future candidates for Ph.D. programs.

The M.S. program enrolls a maximum of 15 students per year and admits candidates with backgrounds in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Technology, Engineering, Education, Psychology, Child Development, Cognitive Science, and other related areas that demonstrate a commitment to understanding the issues and challenges involved in the research and practice of Mathematics Education, Science Education, or Engineering Education.

Candidates without a baccalaureate in Mathematics, Science, or Engineering are required to take additional courses in Mathematics, Sciences, or Engineering Departments in order to reach a level of expertise equivalent to that of a Tufts B.A. major in the content area they want to develop their M.S. course and research work.

Upon entry into the program, each student is assigned two program advisors, one from the Departments of Education or Child Development and another from the Mathematics, Sciences, or Engineering Departments. The program advisors assist the student in making choices regarding courses, content area, internships, and research activities.

The maximum time limit for full-time students to complete the M.S. program is three years.

M.S. Course Requirements
M.S. students are required to complete 12 course credits to fulfill the M.S. in MSTE Education degree requirements. These include:

• 5 course credits from Groups A, B, C, and D (at least one course from each group);
• 2 graduate course credits in the Mathematics, Sciences or Engineering Departments;
• 2 or 3 elective course credits from Group E;
• 1 course credit from Group F (Program Seminar);
• 1 or 2 course credits for Masters Thesis, Project, Research, or Internship experience.

Click here to see course options in each group (Groups A, B, C, D, E, and F).

Choice of relevant elective courses and course levels (100 or 200 level) is determined by the students' advisors, in agreement with the guidelines issued by each of the Departments involved in the program. This choice is determined by an evaluation of each student's needs in terms of understanding:

• Mathematics, Science, or Engineering content knowledge;
• The socio-cultural foundations of Education;
• Theory and research on human development and learning in different content areas;
• Specific knowledge directly related to the development of the M.S. thesis, project, research, or internship.

Transfer of graduate course credits obtained from other institutions and not applied to previous degrees depends on the content of the course, the student's performance in the course, and the relevance of the course to the student's plan of study, as judged by the student's advisors and by the Graduate Program Committee. No undergraduate courses will count towards the M.S. degree.

Research
MS students must demonstrate understanding of educational research through the development of a thesis, a project, work with a research team, or an internship.

Application of M.S. students to the Ph.D. program
We welcome applications from our M.S. students to the Ph.D. program. Because they are students from within the program, it may be possible to waive the need for letters of reference. However, students who apply should understand that they enter the overall pool of applicants, from which we typically admit five students per year. Even excellent candidates who apply as M.S. students will not be admitted unless they have a mentor. Ph.D. students will be expected to work closely with faculty in the Department of Education or Department of Child Development AND in the content discipline.

All relevant course credits obtained by successful candidates while enrolled in the M.S. program will count towards the Ph.D. degree.

Alternatively, M.S. students may complete the M.S. degree requirements and, upon receiving the M.S. degree, submit an application to the Ph.D. Program.