Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.)

Science Education:

John Hoffmann, MAE Science Director, VH 2346

(we also encourage you to visit the Division of Education's
Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.) Biology page)

The status of the teaching profession has changed dramatically within the last thirty years. At one time, it was thought that a teaching career was one that could be sought by anyone regardless of his or her academic credentials. Today, we realize that teachers need to be the "smartest" and the "brightest" of the population and those for whom a teaching career is the first choice.

 Research has demonstrated that academic achievement of students in science and mathematics is directly related to the depth of preparation of the teacher in the discipline taught.  In recognition of this, The No Child Left Behind Act requires all teachers to be "highly qualified" by the end of the 2005-2006 academic year.  To meet the highly qualified standard, teachers must hold an undergraduate baccalaureate degree and must have demonstrated their competency in the content area they teach.  

The MAE program, designed in 1986, anticipated this new standard for teachers. The program was founded on the belief that teachers should have an in-depth knowledge of the discipline they are to teach. Consequently, everyone who is admitted to the MAE possesses a liberal arts undergraduate degree in their teaching subject area. The pedagogical skills of the teacher are developed at the graduate level and are based on "best practices" as identified by educational research.  This preparation results in extremely well-qualified teachers who know and understand the content they are teaching and who have the intellectual and pedagogical skills needed to reach their students.

Graduates of the MAE hold both undergraduate baccalaureate and graduate education degrees. This allows them more career options than those generally available to persons possessing bachelor of science in education (BSE) degrees. In addition to public school positions, MAE graduates are qualified to be teachers at community colleges and as instructors at the university level in non-tenure track posts.  They may be employed as education specialists in business, industry, and in state and national government.  Holders of the MAE degree also find they are well-positioned to begin doctoral programs culminating in a Ph.D.

Biology majors at Truman State work closely with an advisor who is a Biology professor.  Biology majors who wish to pursue a teaching career by entering the MAE will take either a BA or BS degree in Biology.  With either degree they may choose to follow the option leading to the biology or the unified science certification.  The biology certification qualifies the holder to teach any biological course on the high school level.  The unified science certification allows the holder to teach any biology course as well as lower level chemistry and physical science courses. The latter certification is advantageous in that it qualifies a teacher for a wider variety of teaching positions.

Those who wish to pursue an undergraduate biology degree and then enter the MAE should follow the worksheets provided for each degree and certification option. Worksheets may be accessed at  http://education.truman.edu/MAE

These worksheets include all coursework needed for the undergraduate biology degree/certification being pursued plus all courses needed for state certification and for admission into the MAE. Additional important information regarding the MAE requirements for field experiences and sequencing of pre-MAE courses may be found on line at here (as a pdf file).  Those undergraduates who anticipate entering the MAE should acquire the appropriate worksheet as soon as possible to review the courses and sequences with their advisors.   Dr. John Hoffmann, MAE Science Director, is available to consult with students and their advisors regarding the worksheets and admission requirements into the MAE program.  Dr. Hoffmann may be contacted at Hoffmann@truman.edu  or by telephone at (660)785-4685.