Our Master of Science for Teachers Program is designed for current K-12 teachers interested
in expanding their knowledge of STEM and learning from expert faculty.
The MST program provides graduate-level classroom and laboratory instruction for teachers
or going into science, mathematics, engineering, and/or technology. MST students
are encouraged to adapt activities, demonstrations, laboratory exercises and methods
of teaching and apply these as projects in their own classrooms during the academic
year. Courses for the participants are offered in a variety of disciplines and are
led by New Mexico Tech faculty. Courses are offered throughout the year via distance
education with in-person course options in summer on the New Mexico Tech campus and
around the state.
Degree Pathways
M.S. for Teachers Coursework-only
M.S. for Teachers with Independent Study
M.S. for Teachers with Thesis
Our 2020 MST graduate Hope Cahill received Presidential Teaching Award
President Joe Biden announced Hope Cahill of Santa Fe Public Schools as the NM K–6 Science awardee for
the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics
and science (including computer science) teachers can receive from the U.S. government.
See here for Hope's bio.
In Hope's own words- "Completing my MST degree at NMT under professors who are experts
in their field and in science teaching made me a more well-rounded and knowledgable
STEM educator.My time at Tech really is a huge piece of my journey. Not just the support, experiences,
and knowledge I gained but the professional and personal relationships I formed."
Program prerequisite:All incoming MST students must demonstrate competence inmathematics by eithercompleting a Math for Teachers course(Credits are awarded for thisesecourses but these credits DO NOT count towards the 30 credits needed for a MST Degree)or bypassing the equivalent placementMath Competence exam or receiving a waiver based upon previous course work.
MST students must takecomprehensive and specialty courses across the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Geology, Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science for a total of 30
credit hours.
(i). Allstudents must take
Technical Communication for Teachers (3-credits)
(ii). For comprehensiveness,students will choose at least 5 courses (15 credits)from among the list below:
Biology for Educators
Chemistry for Educators
Computer Science for Educators
Engineering Concepts for Educators: Looking Underground
Geology for Educators
Mathematics for STEM Educators
Physics for Educators
(iii). Specialty courses: students will choose 4 courses (12 credits) from among the list below:
Understanding Statistics
Physics of the Solar System
Chemistry of Biomolecules
Earth History
Curr. Concepts and Techniques in Biology
Engineering Concepts for Educators: Drones/Biomimicry
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Independent Study (3-credits, only if pursuing independent study option),Directed Study (if approved by the student’s advisor,
Thesis (6-credits, only if pursuing thesis option)
3, Degree completion requirements; students will submit a portfolio to the MST office prior to their final semester.
Contents of portfolio will depend on degree pathway and should be discussed with the
MST program director. Examples of artifacts that may be included in a portfolio are (a) Lesson plans with
STEM K-12 classroom activities (topics chosen from at least two MST courses), (b)
Feedback from the respective course instructors on the accuracy of the STEM content,
and (c) Feedback from at least three fellow MST students, as well as (d) Writing a
self-reflection on how to further improve their STEM content teaching from their experience
in the MST program.
To view the New Mexico Tech Graduate Catalog and the Program & Course Catalog, Click here.
Program Vision & Mission Statement
MST Program Vision
Developing talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and advancing
interest in STEM careers among the highly diverse K-12 students of New Mexico, and
beyond, by advancing STEM excellence among equally diverse educators.
MST Program Mission
The Master of Science for Teachers (MST) degree program recruits diverse educators
to engage in graduate level STEM courses led by NMT faculty who are experts in their
fields. Recognizing that our students/teachers work full-time in their own classrooms,
the MST is a part-time, online program with in-person course options in the summer.
MST students are encouraged to incorporate their NMT educational experiences into
their curriculum development, and their curriculum development into their NMT educational
experiences.
Sample Independent Studies
Biology Sample IS "Discovery Learning Ecology Unit" by Stephanie Mitchell
Chemistry Sample IS"Using Improvised Instructional Materials to Teach Chemical Methods" by Dorothy Mensahl
Geology / Earth Science Sample IS "Effectiveness of the Integration of a STEM career awareness program in a regular
Geology Class in Increasing Awareness and Knowledge of Geoscience" by Geizi E. Llanes
Math Sample IS "Conic Sections in Context" by Elizabeth Richardson
President Joe Biden announced Hope Cahill of Santa Fe Public Schools as the NM K–6 Science awardee for
the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics
and science (including computer science) teachers can receive from the U.S. government.
See here for Hope's bio.