Curriculum and Instruction, MEd - Concentration in Secondary Education Earth Science

Praxis Workshops

Let us help you prepare for Praxis testing. We offer workshops throughout the year.

Earth science is emerging in both public perception and active science research as a profoundly important field. Our lives and future depend on the depth of our understanding of our home planet. The National Science Education Standards underscore this transformation through a strong emphasis on "Earth Science" as a core domain of science education at all grade levels.

Course Requirements

EDRD 619: Literacy in the Content Areas (3 credits)

EDUC 547: Scientific Inquiry and the Nature of Science (3 credits)

SEED 522: Foundations of Secondary Education (3 credits)

SEED 540: Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education (3 credits)

SEED 573: Teaching Science in the Secondary School (3 credits)

SEED 673: Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School (3 credits)

SEED 675: Research in Secondary Education (3 credits)

SEED 791: Internship Seminar in Secondary Teaching (2 credits)

SEED 794: Internship: Secondary Education Science (6 credits) (Must register for 6 credits)

Electives

Select six credits from the following:

EDCI 597: Special Topics in Education (1 - 6 credits)

EDUC 674: Assessing Learning and Teaching in the Secondary School Classroom (3 credits)

Note: SEED offers special topics courses that are currently listed as distinct sections of EDCI 597; students must obtain program approval before registering for any of these courses.

Field Experience

Clinical experiences in public schools will be required throughout the program (a maximum of 15-30 clock hours per course or 45 clock hours per term). Arrangements will be made at the beginning of each term.

Internship Options

A 6-credit 16-week daytime internship is required for completion of the state-approved licensure program.

Two options are available to meet the needs of most individuals:

Student teaching internship: A one-term daytime internship in the classroom of a mentor teacher. Teacher candidate assumes co teaching and independent teaching responsibilities.
On-the-job internship: Available only to students who are employed as full-time provisionally licensed teachers and teaching in their endorsement area in an accredited middle or secondary school and want to complete a master's degree. In lieu of an internship, provisionally licensed teachers may choose to use their full-time teaching to satisfy the experience requirement for a full license; however, the 35-credit master's degree requires that 6 credits of approved coursework be substituted for the internship.

Total Credits: 35

This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.

George Mason University will verify completion of the requirements of a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.