Degree of Interdisciplinary Master Of Arts Ima Sciences at University of South Carolina Union
The IMA Sciences is designed for applicants who are certified or qualified for certificationas secondary school teachers, and who wish to pursue careers in teaching secondary school in areas of Natural Science. Programs are individually structured in consultation with an advisory committee in order to accommodate students with diverse needs and backgrounds.
Undergraduate prerequisites include:
1. Introductory Biology (1 year)
2. Introductory Chemistry (1 year)
3. Introductory Physics (1 year)
4. Introductory Physical Geology or Physical Geography (1 year in one or one-half year in each.)
A student lacking undergraduate prerequisites must arrange to complete them, together with any prerequisite mathematics, before proceeding to advanced work in these areas.
Admission Requirements
For admission to The Graduate School, a baccalaureate or higher degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency is normally required. Applicants should submit a complete application packet including official transcripts of college academic work, letters of recommendation, and official score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The Graduate Bulletin and Admission Application are available online.
Degree Requirements
The IMA Sciences degree requires 33-graduate hours, at least 21 hours in science and nine hours in professional education. At least one-half of all course work must be at the 700 level. In the final semester, the candidate must satisfactorily complete an Independent Study that includes the development, implementation and evaluation of a classroom teaching unit. The candidate must incorporate evidence of implementation of this unit into a comprehensive program portfolio, present and defend this portfolio as part of a final oral comprehensive examination administered by the advisory committee. There is no thesis requirement.
Courses
12 hours Professional Education
EDSE 732 Teaching of Science in Secondary School
EDRM 700 Introduction to Research in Education
Psychological Foundations (3 hours): EDPY 701, 705, 706 or 707
21 hours Content Area Component
7 courses including work in at least three of the following areas:
Biology (including Marine Science)
Chemistry Geology/Geography (listed as Natural Science)
Physics