Elementary Education: Math/Science Emphasis

About the Program
This program is intended for certified, practicing elementary classroom teachers who have a strong interest in, and preparation for, teaching K-5 mathematics and science. We hope to prepare elementary teachers for leadership roles in mathematics and science in their respective schools and districts.

What our graduates are saying......

The program sharpened my skill and confidence as a math teacher. This unique degree has opened the door for amazing career opportunities.
Mary R. Conage
This program validated my thoughts about teaching mathematics and helped me develop a better understanding for how we should teach math.
Kevin Larkin
The program promoted my growth as a professional.The program caused me to be aware of the educational world around me. I was encouraged to leave the comfort of just my class and view education and learning from a greater perspective.
Jozelle Johnson
I am now a confident and competent math and science teacher.
Betsy McCarthy
This masters program was perfect for my needs. I was able to further my knowledge in the two areas that I most enjoy teaching. My students have benefited greatly from what I learned and have incorporated in my teaching.
Pam Gurd
The program was well worth the time and effort it took.
Francine Harvey
Excellent learning opportunity with other teaching professionals who are eager to learn.
Penny Corraggio
If you put forth the effort it will change your life.
Kiwanis McCallister
Program enhances teacher confidence/motivation to instruct in quality, higher order thinking math/science lessons/activities.
Christine Joseph
Graduating from this program really helped me feel more secure in my teaching. It has also opened many doors in my career.
Jessica Snyder
This is an opportunity for professional growth that is unsurpassed by in-service courses! This program enhances classroom teacher's methods and opens doors to new professional experiences.
Janet M. Acerra
I walked away from the program with a renewed love of teaching. I learned how to teach math and science so [my students] will love it too!
Leslie Strahl
The benefits of this program are evident in daily classroom teaching and are well worth the time and effort invested in it.
S. Lane
This program provides a great opportunity to enhance your professional growth and to facilitate the educational growth of students.
Cassie Wilson
This unique Master's Degree Program at USF St. Petersburg not only allowed me to reflect on my own teaching style within my classroom walls, but also offered an opportunity to glimpse into the amazing and creative ways math and science are being taught locally, nationally, and internationally. It was truly an experience in which I was fortunate enough to collaborate with professionals who could "think like a child" - a grown-up playground where we felt safe to question, discuss, investigage and create together!
Carolyn Halle
I came out of the program knowing more math and science that had practical applications to everyday teaching. My knowledge of both subjects was increased.
Kim Parsons

Students may take specified courses as non-degree-seeking students for one semester while finalizing their applications. Only 12 such credit hours can transfer from non-degree into the program, once accepted, so take such courses cautiously. (Non-degree registration forms are available in the COE office.) We also recommend that, if possible, you start the program with a new cohort that "stays together" through the entire program.

What are the courses like? Keep in mind that these are graduate level courses and thus require a good bit of time and effort. In particular, the mathematics and science courses are not like extended workshops that you have probably attended, in which you come away with lots of practical ideas for your classroom. The courses are designed to give you a strong background in K-8 mathematics and science topics so that you can assume a leadership role beyond your classroom. The courses are therefore a mixture of K-8 content and pedagogy. There are a number of opportunities to try things with your students, and there are assignments for doing so, but there is also an expectation that you will learn mathematics and science that extends beyond your classroom walls.

Deadlines to apply for admission to graduate studies:

Fall admission June 1 st
Spring admission October 15 th
Summer admission March 1 st

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited university and teacher certification in an appropriate area.
At least a 2.5 grade point average for the four-year undergraduate degree, and for the last two years of the undergraduate degree,
-PLUS-
A grade point average of 3.0 or greater for the last two years of the undergraduate degree,
-OR-
A score of 1000 or greater on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE),
-OR-
A previous graduate degree from a regionally accredited university.

Forms/Documents for Students
Please visit our Forms & Documents for Students section to download and print documents and forms.

Financial Aid / Scholarships Information
**Currently, Pinellas County School District pays the tuition for five of the emphasis courses in this program for its practicing K-5 teachers of Mathematics or Science. This practice is dependent upon annual funding.

Please visit our Financial Aid / Scholarships section to navigate through the financial aid and scholarships information.

Advising
Advisor Dr. Andy Reeves
Phone: 727-553-4530
Email: areeves@stpt.usf.edu

Program of Study (Program Courses)

Core Courses (13 credit hours)
EDF 6481 Foundations of Educational Research (3)
EDF 6125 Child Development -or- EDF 6215 Learning Principles Applied to Instruction (4)
EDG 6931 Current Trends in Assessment (3)
EDG 6935 Seminar in Curriculum Research (3)
Emphasis Courses (18 credit hours)
**EDG 6931 Problem Solving for Elementary Teachers (3)
EDG 6931 Geometry for Elementary Teachers (3)
**EDG 6931 Algebraic Thinking for Elementary Teachers (3)
**SCE 6616 Trends in Science Education (3)
**SCE 5937 Selected Topics in Life Science Education (3)
**SCE 5937 Selected Topics in Physical/Earth Science Education (3)

COURSE SCHEDULE
Below is a proposed schedule to follow if you enter the program FALL 2007
Fall 2007	Spring 2008	Summer 2008
Algebraic Thinking	Trends in Assessment	Physical Science
		EDF 6481

Fall 2008	Spring 2009	Summer 2009
Life Science	Problem Solving	Geometry
EDF 6125	EDG 6935	SCE 6616


Below is a proposed schedule to follow if you enter the program FALL 2008
Fall 2008	Spring 2009	Summer 2009
Life Science	Problem Solving	Geometry
	EDF 6215	SCE 6616

Fall 2009	Spring 2010	Summer 2010
Algebraic Thinking	Trends in Assessment	Physical Science
	EDG 6935	EDF 6481

Internship/Seminar Information
Not required for this program

FTCE Information
Not required for this program

Portfolio / E-Portfolio

Introduction
The portfolio is designed to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions acquired as you completed your Master’s degree and how they have affected your students in the classroom. In the program description, the following is highlighted.
This program is intended for certified, practicing elementary classroom teachers who have a strong interest in, and preparation for, teaching K-5 mathematics and science. The program faculty hope to prepare elementary teachers for leadership roles in mathematics and science in their respective schools and districts.
The courses are designed to give you a strong background in K-8 mathematics and science topics so that you can assume a leadership role beyond your classroom. The courses are therefore a mixture of K-8 content and pedagogy. There are a number of opportunities to try things with your students, and there are assignments for doing so, but there is also an expectation that you will learn mathematics and science that extends beyond your classroom walls.
The portfolio gives each student the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. The following guidelines will assist you in organizing and presenting your work.
Organization
The portfolio should follow the suggested 5-topic outline described below. Each section should begin with a 2-3 page overview of how the program has changed or strengthened your knowledge of the topic. Each section would include an appendix with 2-3 examples of student work from your own classroom, and papers from courses you took if appropriate. The main idea is to show that the program increased your pedagogical knowledge and resulted in increased student learning.
1. Introduction: Reflective Practitioner in Mathematics—Inquiry-based Teacher of Science Write a 2-3 page description of how the program helped you progress as a reflective mathematics teacher and how you have become a more inquiry-based science teacher. (Appendix—2-3 coursework papers and student work samples that demonstrate the impact on your teaching and on K-5 student learning.)
2. Issues and Research: Using national, state, or district standards as a philosophical base, explain why you are interested in a particular research question. Show how researching this topic helped you progress as a reflective mathematics teacher or become a more inquiry-based science teacher. (Appendix— include your research paper conducted in Seminar in Curriculum Research, together with classroom evidence of a change in pedagogy or student learning because of this research.)
3. Mathematics Curriculum: After completing three courses in mathematics education: Problem Solving for Teachers, Geometry for Elementary Teachers and Algebraic Thinking for Elementary Teachers, show how you applied principles learned in the courses in your classroom. (Appendix: Select two or three specific projects or activities from your classroom that demonstrate a different pedagogical approach or increased student learning. If these activities are related to a paper from your three courses, then include the paper as well.)
4. Science Curriculum: After completing three courses in science education: Trends in Science Instruction, Selected Topics in Life Science and Selected Topics in Physical and Earth Science, show how you applied principles learned in these courses in your classroom. (Appendix: Select two or three specific projects or activities from your classroom that demonstrate a different pedagogical approach or increased student learning. If these activities are related to a paper from your three courses, then include the paper as well.)
5. Evaluations and Assessments: Discuss how reflection upon assessment has modified your classroom approach to assessment and FCAT preparation in the classroom. (Appendix: Select one or two specific examples from your classroom that demonstrate a different assessment approach. If these activities are related to a paper from your Trends in Assessment in Mathematics and Science course, then include the paper as well.
  - Notes regarding the portfolio submission:
    • The submission can only occur in a semester when you have at most 2 courses remaining to be completed. Prior to that point, not enough of the program has been completed for you to submit a polished portfolio reflecting all of the coursework in your program.
    • Any papers that you submit from courses you have taken might need to be submitted in two forms. First, submit a polished version of the paper with corrections made, etc. Second, submit the original version of the paper with comments from the instructor. (Note: If the original paper has only a few minor revisions, one submission is adequate.)
    • Submit the application for Comprehensive Exams/Portfolio to your advisor by the Friday of the first week of classes the semester you plan to graduate. You mush be enrolled in at least two graduate hours the semester that the portfolio will be evaluated.
    Applications are available at http://www.stpt.usf.edu/coe/forms.htm. Use the form “Graduate Comprehensive Exam Application.”
    • Important dates: Submission of the Portfolio
    • Fall: due the 2nd Friday of November
    • Spring: due the last Friday of March
    • Summer: due the last Friday of June

Graduation Requirements & Dates
Please visit our Graduation section to navigate through the internship and practicum process.

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