Master’s in Secondary STEM Education Curriculum Requirements
Program Structure
Competency-Based Coursework
Challenges and Assessments
Clinical Experience
Licensure Pathways
Which pathway is right for me?
What is it? Candidates teach full time as the teacher of record in a Kansas school while completing the program, supported by an assigned mentor teacher.
Who qualifies?
To qualify for the Kansas Restricted Teaching License, applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (or equivalent coursework) in the content area they plan to teach, from a regionally accredited institution
- Have a minimum 2.75 GPA in the most recent 60 credit hours of coursework
- Receive an offer of employment from a Kansas state-accredited public or private school in the content area of the license sought
- Earn a passing score on the required Praxis subject area exam
- Complete a supervised practical training experience, which may include substitute teaching, paraeducator work, coaching, supervised classroom field experience, etc.
How does it work? Because the restricted license is tied to employment, securing a teaching job is a key step. Once hired, candidates apply for a restricted teaching license through the state's KLAS system, submit to a background check and pay the state application fee — ideally four to six weeks before their start date. The license is tied to that district and runs on the academic year; candidates generally complete about half the program in year one and finish within two years.
What is the Praxis exam? Candidates must pass the Praxis exam for their subject area. ETS offers free study materials, and KU partners with 240 Tutoring for additional prep at a reduced cost.
What is it? Candidates build clinical teaching experience in a supervising teacher's classroom while completing coursework — no job offer is required to start.
How is it different from the restricted pathway? The restricted pathway suits candidates ready to teach and earn a salary right away. The standard pathway suits candidates who want support in another teacher's classroom before leading their own.
Is this license valid outside Kansas? This program is an approved licensure pathway in Kansas only. Please check out our licensure disclosures page for more information.
What is it? For in-service teachers who already hold a license and want to build STEM content expertise and earn their master's degree. This pathway does not lead to an additional Kansas teaching license.
Do I still complete clinical or field hours? No 500-hour licensure field requirement. Some competencies do call for designing and teaching lessons with real students in a science or math classroom.
Graduate Admission
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, a related interdisciplinary field, or equivalent experience from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with substantially equivalent degree requirements. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in the content area or equivalent is required. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement may be considered upon review of their overall application. Candidates pursuing the restricted license pathway must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 credit hours of college coursework. All non-native English speakers must meet the University of Kansas English proficiency requirements for admission to graduate study. Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program.
Application Checklist
M.S.E. in Secondary STEM Education
Applicants are required to submit an online application through the KU Office of Graduate Admissions and provide all supporting materials before the application deadline.
List
M.S.E. in Secondary STEM Education
Applicants are required to submit an online application through the KU Office of Graduate Admissions and provide all supporting materials before the application deadline.
Online Application
Applicants must complete the online application through the KU Office of Graduate Admissions.
Degree and Transcript Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, a related interdisciplinary field, or equivalent experience from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with substantially equivalent degree requirements. Applicants must meet Graduate Studies requirements for transcript submission and degree verification.
Statement of Intent
Applicants must submit a personal statement outlining their personal and career goals, and how the master’s in Secondary STEM Education will support those goals. Your statement should also describe how your experiences will support your success in the program and contribute to the success of today's students and future learners.
Resume
Applicants must submit a current resume reflecting relevant academic, professional, or field experience.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate their qualifications for graduate study and potential contribution to the teaching profession.
Proof of English Proficiency
Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency in accordance with University of Kansas Graduate Studies requirements.
Application Deadline
Admission & Curriculum Resources
The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more about our knowledgeable faculty.
Applications
Fall applications are open and you can submit your graduate application today. If you’re interested in starting the program in the spring or summer semester or a future date, please submit this interest form to be notified when applications are open.
Course Requirements
Each competency in the program is associated with one of the 7 domains in the program. Example competencies are listed below. Consult the course catalog for details.
Candidates must obtain a passing score for the Kansas State Department of Education Praxis II content assessment (1a) in the subject in which they are seeking licensure prior to the second semester to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter.
Please note: A suggested sequence of study includes competencies from different domains in each semester. Consult with your academic advisor before enrolling.
Program Completion Requirements
Program completion for the master’s in Secondary STEM Education includes demonstration of all required competencies through program assessments, satisfactory completion of clinical experience requirements, and successful completion of required program assessments and evaluations.
Total credit hours: 30
Program Faculty
Connie Chow Ph.D.
Imogen Herrick
Carrie L. La Voy
Dean D. Richards IV
Cheryl Wright