Nov 22, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Environmental Studies and Middle Grades Education Specialization, M.S. EVS/Middle Grades Education Specialization, M.A.T. Dual Degrees


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Graduate Coordinator for M.S. in Environmental Studies: Dr. Devon Eulie
Graduate Coordinator for M.A.T. in Middle Grades Education: Dr. Jeremy Hilburn


The dual degree program is offered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Environmental Sciences and Watson College of Education’s Middle Grades Education Program. Students completing this program will earn two separate degrees:

1.    Master of Science in Environmental Studies - Environmental Education and Interpretation concentration
       [henceforth MS EVS]
2.    Master of Arts in Teaching Middle Grades – Science Concentration [henceforth MAT]

Students will earn both degrees in two years as opposed to four years if enrolled separately. This degree option is specifically for students who wish to work in in environmental science education – a discipline at the intersection of environmental science and public education. Potential post-graduation opportunities associated with the program include careers in: (a) nonprofit organizations focused on environmental issues; (b) nonformal science settings (such as zoos, nature centers, museums, aquariums, etc.); and (c) teaching Middle Grades Science in public schools (identified as an area of high need in the state of North Carolina).

The dual MS EVS/MAT degree program requires two academic years of full-time study (including summers) consisting of a minimum of 48 credit hours. This is accomplished by 9 hours of EVS electives being satisfied by MAT courses, and 6 hours of MAT science electives and 3-hour research requirement being satisfied by EVS courses.

Application


Students seeking admission to the dual MS EVS/MAT degree program must complete an application for admission to each program. Students must be successfully admitted to both degree programs in accordance with their individual standards and requirements. Admission to the dual degree program will then be determined by the graduate coordinators for the MS EVS and MAT programs. Once admitted to the dual MS EVS/MAT degree program, students will be assigned advisors (the Graduate coordinators) from each program to help them develop their course of study.

Admissions Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the MS EVS/MAT dual degree program are required to submit the following to the Graduate School by the published deadlines:

  1. An application for graduate admission;
  2. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate);
  3. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) less than five years old;
  4. Three recommendations from individuals in professionally relevant fields;
  5. A personal statement describing educational and professional experiences, their reasons for pursuing the dual degree, and career goals;
  6. A resume;
  7. A writing sample (optional).

Applicants seeking admission to the program must meet the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or its equivalent from a foreign institution of higher education based on a four-year program;
  • A strong academic record with an average GPA of 3.0 or better in the undergraduate program;
  • Strong academic potential as indicated by satisfactory performance on the GRE General Test;
  • Indication of graduate academic potential as reflected by three letters of recommendations from individuals in professionally relevant fields;
  • Professional and career goals that are consistent with the nature of a dual degree program in environmental studies and middle grades education.

Individuals who fall below any of the specified criteria may be admitted if other factors indicate potential for success. Individuals with identified deficiencies may be accepted provisionally with specified plans and goals for the remediation of these deficiencies. Such remediation may include a requirement of additional hours beyond those normally required for the degree.

Degree Requirements (48 total credit hours minimum)


All students must complete the required coursework that is part of the MS EVS and MAT degree programs, including both coursework and internships.

Coursework (39 credit hours)


To ensure that students have foundational knowledge in both science content and pedagogy, each program requires a core content-area curriculum.   

Internship Experiences (9 credit hours)


To ensure that students employ skills and knowledge gained in each program within applied settings, internships are required by each program. Both internships provide extended opportunities for fieldwork, research or creative projects and help the student to bridge related theory with practical applications. Students should enroll in both internships near the completion of the program.

 

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