Teaching of Biological Science, MS
for the degree of Master of Science in Teaching of Biological Science (online)
The Online Master of Science Teaching Biology Program (OMST-Biology) is designed for certified biology/science teachers who wish to complete a Master of Science degree in Biology. Individuals who are already certified to teach science/biology at the middle school / high school level may enter the online program to earn the MS degree while taking online courses in both biology and education.
Admission
All Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) comparable in content and number of credit hours with that granted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Applicants must have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 (A=4.0) for the last 2 years of undergraduate study. Applicants must have proof of teacher certification in Science/Biology.
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL scores. International applicants must have a TOEFL score of at least 613 (paper-based test), 257 (computer-based test), or 103-104 (internet-based test) to be considered for admission. The TOEFL must be taken within two years of the proposed term of entry; older scores are not valid. Request that official TOEFL scores be sent directly to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The institution number is 1836.
See the Program Web Site for application deadlines, procedures, and more detailed application guidelines.
Financial Aid
Financial assistance in the form of full or partial waiver of tuition and fees is not available to online M.S. students (except statutory waivers).
for the degree of Master of Science in Teaching of Biological Science (online)
For additional details and requirements refer to the program requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
Applicants must be certified to teach science/biology. This master's program is only available online.
Graduation requirements for the OMST-Biology Program include a minimum of 32 credit hours of coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| While specific courses are not required, previously certified candidates must complete a minimum of 8 hours of graduate-level courses offered by departments in the College of Education to be selected in consultation with the Biology advisor based on the student's interest. | 8 | |
| Elective hours selected from either biology or education. | 8 | |
| Hours Required within the unit (Biology IB or MCB) | 16 | |
| Research/Project Hours (min/max applied toward degree) | 0-4 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement |
|---|
| Other requirements may overlap. |
| Courses taken "credit/no credit" may not be used toward degree requirements. |
| Deficiencies in undergraduate courses needed to satisfy the certification requirement must also be taken; these courses normally do not count toward the 32 or 51 graduate hours needed to complete the degree. Deficiencies are determined by an audit of transcripts conducted by the Teacher Certification Office. |
| 500-level hours required overall in program: 12 |
| Conferral of the MS degree is contingent upon the completion of all teacher certification requirements. |
| Qualification for teacher certification is contingent upon the completion of all MS degree requirements. |
| Minimum GPA: 3.0 |
for the degree of Master of Science in Teaching of Biological Science (online)
The Online Master of Science in Teaching of Biological Science (OMST) is designed to give practicing teachers the opportunity to earn a M.S. in teaching biological science or graduate credits in biology while living and teaching at home. Accordingly, we offer a comprehensive curriculum consisting of six Biology courses (OMST students must complete five of the six courses) and three Curriculum & Instruction courses (including a capstone project course). Through these courses we meet the needs of today’s biology teachers, giving them the tools to help their own students think like a biologist and give the tools to lead the next wave of change. The fully online format enables in-service teachers to bring the latest advances in biology and evolving pedagogy directly to the classroom.
Online Master of Science in Teaching of Biological Science Program Learning Objectives:
- Synthesize core knowledge in the fields of Biology and the Teaching of Biology.
- Apply modern Biology knowledge into the Middle School or High School science classroom.
- Design and implement an action research project which integrates pedagogical and science content ideas addressed in the program courses.
- Acquire other professional skills such as recognizing legitimate science, citation management and science communication.
for the degree of Master of Science in Teaching of Biological Science (online)
Online Master of Science Teaching Biology Program
Graduate Director: Dr. Marianne Alleyne
Program Contact: Kim Leigh
Online Master of Science Teaching Biology Program website
School of Integrative Biology website
School of Integrative Biology faculty
320 Morrill Hall, 505 S Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2910
Program email
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website
Admissions
Master of Science in Teaching of Biological Science Overview of Admissions & Requirements
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements