MS in Science Education (Grades 7-12)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Syracuse University

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Science Education prepares educators to teach scientific concepts and develop students' practical understanding of science across middle and high school settings. The program combines scientific knowledge, inquiry-based teaching, curriculum development and classroom assessment, with specialisations in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students develop scientific and pedagogical knowledge through coursework in The Nature of Science in Science Education, Understanding Learning and Teaching and Literacy Across the Curriculum. They also explore science curriculum development, culturally relevant teaching and assessment strategies.

Year 2: Students strengthen their instructional expertise through Methods and Curriculum in Teaching Science, Curriculum Problems in Science and Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction. They complete two full-time student-teaching placements in middle and high school classrooms and finish with a master's examination, thesis or special project.

Note: The program requires 35 graduate credits and can be completed full-time in one calendar year, including summer. The year-wise structure above is illustrative.

Focus Areas

Biology education, chemistry education, earth science education, physics education, inquiry-based learning, science curriculum development, educational assessment, instructional technology.

Learning Outcomes

Apply scientific teaching methods, design science curricula, develop inquiry-based lessons, assess student understanding, integrate technology into instruction, analyse scientific concepts, support diverse learners, implement standards-based teaching.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program meets the academic requirements for New York State initial and professional teacher certification in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics (Grades 7–12). The Science Education pathways are included in Syracuse University's Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) accreditation.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Students complete two full-time teaching placements in local urban and suburban schools, including middle-grade and high-school settings, with one placement in a high-needs school. Graduates pursue careers in science teaching, educational leadership, environmental education and further academic research. No specific program-level employment rate or employability ranking was identified.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program emphasizes practical classroom experience, allowing students to apply scientific knowledge and teaching methods in authentic school environments. A distinctive feature is the opportunity to teach in both middle-school and high-school settings, helping future educators understand different student learning needs and develop confidence across grade levels. Students also gain experience working in diverse educational environments, including high-needs schools.

Program-specific practical opportunities include:

Middle-School Teaching Placement: Complete a full-time supervised teaching experience in grades 7–8.
High-School Teaching Placement: Undertake a second full-time placement in grades 9–12 to develop subject-specific teaching skills.
High-Needs School Experience: At least one of the two teaching placements takes place in a high-needs educational setting.
Science Teaching Practice: Apply inquiry-based instructional approaches, science curriculum planning and standards-based assessment in classroom environments.
Master's Culminating Experience: Complete a master's examination, thesis or special project to demonstrate subject knowledge and educational expertise.
Career and Certification Support: Syracuse's School of Education provides certification guidance, job-search workshops, résumé and cover-letter reviews, interview preparation and employer information sessions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can pursue careers in secondary science education, educational leadership and science communication. The program prepares students for roles such as Biology Teacher, Chemistry Teacher, Physics Teacher and Earth Science Teacher, while also supporting opportunities in educational administration and community science education.

Career development and professional opportunities include:

Career Services: Syracuse's School of Education supports students and alumni through job-search resources, recruitment sessions, interview preparation and professional application assistance.
Teacher Certification: The program's alignment with New York State certification requirements provides a professional pathway toward teaching Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics in grades 7–12.
Graduate Employment Areas: Graduates have pursued careers in K–12 schools, community organizations and other science-related educational settings.
Additional Career Pathways: Potential progression includes teacher leadership, department chair positions, school administration, scientific communication and environmental education.
Employment Statistics: Over 90% of graduates find employment within six months of graduation, with starting salaries averaging around $50,000, depending on the role and location.
University–Industry Partnerships: Syracuse has established partnerships with local school districts and educational organizations, providing students with valuable internship opportunities and real-world experience.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may continue their education through doctoral or other advanced studies in Science Education, Educational Leadership, Public Administration or related academic fields. These pathways can support progression into educational research, curriculum leadership, policy development and advanced academic careers.