**MSSST Earth Science REMOTE cohort to begin Summer 2021**
Applications will open January, 2021 for a June program start.
Summer 2021 Class Schedule
Summer classes will run from Monday, June 7th through Friday, July 2nd, 2021. Summer classes will utilize both synchronous and asynchronous course components.
- Astronomy – Mo/We 10am-1pm
- Environmental Programing and Statistics – Tu/Th 10am-1pm
General Program Class Schedule
- Fall 2021 & Spring 2022 – One 3-credit course per term, synchronous components one evening per week
- Summer 2022 – 2 field-based courses, 7 credits total. Plan on weekend field trips around the state.
- Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 – One 3-credit course per term, synchronous components one evening per week
- Summer 2023 – 320 hour research experience/project in a University of Utah lab
- Fall 2023 – Write paper to summarize research experience, graduate December 2023
Application Requirements
Applicants apply to the MSSST program through the University of Utah Graduate School. *NO GRE required.
MSSST requires that all applicants:
- have earned a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in any scientific discipline
- currently hold a valid license and teach in a k-12 STEM classroom in Utah
- have at least three years of teaching experience (conditional exceptions may be possible)
- have completed at least one undergraduate course in both General Chemistry and Physics
The Graduate School requires:
- An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 based on all undergraduate work, or work completed during the last two years of undergraduate study
Benefits to teachers in the Earth Science cohort include:
- MS degree in Earth Science with an emphasis in Teaching
- Coursework in chemistry, geology, geophysics, ecology, astronomy, and atmospheric science
- Evening/ Summer class schedules designed specifically for teachers
- Lab and field-based research opportunities
- Reduced and/or highly subsidized tuition rates
- (tuition approximately $3500, determined by the time interviews occur in April)
- Coursework aligns with endorsement criteria for Earth Science, Physical Science, and Environmental Science endorsements for teachers with USBE-approved prerequisites, and up to 8 courses may qualify for endorsement course reimbursement.
How Do I Apply?
Click here to apply to both the MSSST Program and through the Graduate School after January 1, 2021.
Complete all required sections of the application. Specifically:
- Program Information page:
- Program of Interest: select “Salt Lake City Campus” and “Science Program for Secondary School Teachers MS”
- Application Term and Year: select “Summer 2021”
- Additional Program Information: this program is not a combined BS/MS program or a dual degree program
- Area of Interest: select “Earth Science Teaching” and “MSSST Cohort”
- Educational History page: Be sure to upload and submit a copy of your transcripts (these can be unofficial) from all colleges or universities you have attended.
- Additional Information page: Under Financial Support, the MSSST program is a part-time Master’s degree, based on the Graduate School’s definition of full-time status (9+ credits per term)
- CV/Resume page: Optional, but not required
- Statement of Purpose page: Please upload a one-page statement of purpose about what you hope to accomplish, what you can contribute, and how you anticipate your classroom will improve should you be admitted to the MSSST Earth Science cohort.
- Teaching Background page: Required
- Post Submission page: Please upload a copy of your teaching license here.
- Recommendations page:
- Enter the contact information for your school principal or other administrator who is qualified to judge your abilities as an educator. They will receive an auto-email directing them to upload a letter of recommendation via the online web application. Your recommender may also mail the recommendation on official letterhead to the MSSST program office, but a hard copy is not required.
- You may submit a second name for a letter of recommendation, but it is not required.
- After you submit your application, you will receive an email with instructions to complete a pre-assessment. You can also access this application requirement here.
Once all of the required documents have been received in the web based application system they will be screened by the Graduate Admissions office and the MSSST Committee. You will be contacted by the MSSST program regarding the status of your application by April. If the Graduate School and the MSSST Committee recommend you for admission to the MSSST Program, you must request official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended and have them sent to the Graduate Admissions office. See the Admissions website for more information.
Application Deadlines & Fees:
- Applications due March 1, 2021. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application in early April, and will attend in-person interviews in April for an early June start of coursework.
- There is a $55.00 admissions fee for domestic students and a $65.00 admissions fee for international students to apply to the Graduate School.
Questions?
Contact mssst@csme.utah.edu