Teacher Education Programs

Master of Science for Teachers

MST Program

Master of Science for Teachers (MST)

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.

Program Description

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.

Classroom Activities

NMT COURSE CATALOG

NM Ed Portal

Degree Pathways

M.S. for Teachers Coursework-only
M.S. for Teachers with Independent Study
M.S. for Teachers with Thesis

Course Offerings & Requirements

Program Requirements

Program prerequisite: All incoming MST students must demonstrate competence in mathematics by either completing ST5001 Math for Teachers course, (Credits are awarded for this course but DO NOT count towards the 30 credits needed for a MST Degree) or by passing the equivalent placement Math Competence exam or receiving a waiver based upon previous course work.
MST students must take comprehensive and specialty courses across the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science for a total of 30 credit hours.
1. All students must take:
  - Technical Communication For Teachers ( 3 credits)
2. 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
3. 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
  - Current 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)
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:
1. Lesson plans with STEM K-12 classroom activities (topics chosen from at least two MST courses),
2. Feedback from the respective course instructors on the accuracy of the STEM content,
3. Feedback from at least three fellow MST students,
4. 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

Physics Sample IS "A Puzzle Assembled"
by Carrie Gongaware

Misc Sample IS 01 "Teaching Science in Elementary School: Using Field Trips to Support Guided Inquiry Lessons"
by Karen F. Gram

Misc Sample IS 02 "Bridging the Gap between STEM Professionals and K-12 Education"
by Estike Gutierrez

Student Testimonial

Our 2020 MST graduate Hope Cahill received Presidential Teaching Award

President Joe Biden announced Hope Cahill of Santa Fe Public Schools as the New Mexico 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 knowledgeable 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."