Shippensburg to begin degree to train science teachers

Shippensburg University will begin a master of arts in teaching degree this summer to meet a growing need for more highly qualified high school and middle school science teachers.     

The program was approved today (Jan. 19) by the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, of which Shippensburg in a member. The program is the first for a PASSHE university and the only one in the region focusing specifically on science education. The first cohort of students is expected to start this summer. 

“In our ever-changing world, the importance of science is seen more and more everyday,” said Shippensburg President Bill Ruud. “By offering this program, we will provide teachers in grades seven through 12 with the skills they need to help students reach their goals in the sciences.” 

The 18-month program will lead to both a teacher certification (pending approval) by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) as well as a master of arts in teaching degree. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline. The program will target recent college graduates, current and retired STEM professionals, and military personnel.      

The curriculum is designed to meet PDE’s post-baccalaureate guidelines as well as accreditation standards for the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the National Science Teachers Association.      

The program will consist of a sequence of seven, eight-week courses to be completed by cohorts of students through face-to-face, online and videoconferencing instruction. It will include training in areas such as lesson planning, safety and classroom management, assessment, accommodating students with special needs, research methods and history and philosophy in science education.      

The program was proposed by Dr. Christine A. Royce, associate professor of teacher education and department chair, and Dr. Joseph W. Shane, associate professor of chemistry and science education, and chemistry department chair. Both have extensive experience and expertise in science education.    

According to Shane, “The program will provide a rigorous and efficient pathway for individuals who already hold a degree in a scientific discipline to obtain licensure via the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program is designed so that students can maintain their employment until the capstone, 12-week student teaching practicum. The program will also prepare students to serve as school leaders in addition to being exemplary science teachers.”     

Royce said the experiences and course work have been designed to allow students “to draw on their own content expertise while at the same time build a solid foundation in instructional strategies and theory. Successful science educators need to be able to connect the theoretical aspects of research and content with the pedagogical aspects of quality teaching.”     

If successful, the program may be expanded and instituted at other PASSHE universities as has been done with Shippensburg’s MBA program offered at East Stroudsburg University. Work has already started on collaborations with other PASSHE universities but expansion will take place only after the program receives NCATE accreditation.     

The program had earlier received a $150,000 PASSHE grant to develop the program in response to current and predicted shortages of highly qualified science teachers in the Commonwealth and region. National data predict a shortage of nearly 200,000 science and math teachers in next decade nationwide. 

1/19/12