Environmental Education, MS

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Science 219A
541-552-6797

Program Director
Stewart Janes

This program serves students seeking careers that require a scientific understanding of the natural world, awareness of the environmental problems affecting present and future generations, and the skills needed to become effective educators. The MS in Environmental Education program is designed to help students acquire scientific knowledge and professional skills in preparation for careers devoted to formal and informal education, sustainable resource use, protection of biodiversity, and preservation of wildlands. Graduates find jobs as teachers in school and field settings; as interpretive naturalists in museums, nature centers, and parks; and as environmental advocates working with governmental and nongovernmental organizations to educate the public. Graduates participate as responsible and informed citizens promoting wise policy decisions affecting the environment.

To enter the program, applicants need at least 20 quarter credits (or 13 semester credits) in the natural sciences, as approved by a director of the environmental education program. Students admitted to the program or admitted as postbaccalaureate students intending to enter the program should meet with the program director before taking classes. Instructions for application may be found on the Environmental Education website (sou.edu/ee). Application materials include the graduate application to SOU, a letter of intent, official GRE scores, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Applications are reviewed on January 15 and April 15. It is recommended that students begin the program by taking ED 557A (Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment) during second Summer Session. This should allow for successful completion of the program by the end of fall term the following academic year.

The curriculum consists of 52 graduate credits, 34 of which are core credits, distributed as follows:

Required Courses

(34 credits)

EE 524 - Concepts in Environmental Education 3 credits
EE 525 - Special Methods in Environmental Education 2 credits
EE 526 - Trends in Environmental Education 2 credits
EE 527 - Place-Based Curriculum Development 3 credits
EE 528 - Environmental Issues 4 credits
EE 593 - Practical Applications of Environmental Education 1 to 4 credits
EE 594 - Leadership in Environmental Education 1 to 4 credits
EE 595 - Teaching in Environmental Education 1 to 4 credits
EE 507 - Selected Topics in Environmental Education 1 credit
ED 557A - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 3 credits
ED 557B - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 3 credits
ED 562 - Human Development, Cognition, and Learning 3 credits

Complete 14–18 credits from the following courses:

BI 513 - Physiological Ecology of Animals 4 credits
BI 514 - Advanced Animal Physiology 4 credits
BI 515 - Mammalogy 4 credits
BI 530 - Biological Illustration 3 credits
BI 532 - Origins and Diversity of Land Plants 4 credits
BI 533 - Plant Systematics 4 credits
BI 534 - Plant Form and Function 4 credits
BI 536 - Origins and Diversity of Protists and Fungi 4 credits
BI 538 - Conservation Biology 3 credits
BI 544 - Vascular Plant Identification and Field Botany 3 credits
BI 550 - Fish and Fisheries 4 credits
BI 554 - Plant Ecology 4 credits
BI 566 - Entomology 4 credits
BI 570 - Herpetology 4 credits
BI 571 - Ornithology 4 credits
BI 575 - Aquatic Ecology 4 credits
BI 580 - Animal Behavior 4 credits
Other appropriate graduate coursework from other sciences or Environmental Studies approved by program director.

Select 0–4 credits from outside the sciences

(examples of potential courses include the following, although other courses may be used subject to advisor approval):

COMM 548 - Mediation and Conflict Management 4 credits
COMM 555 - Conflict Resolution 4 credits
GEOG 551 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4 credits
PE 548 - Leadership and Management 3 credits
PSY 538 - Group Dynamics 4 credits

Program Completion Requirements:

1.

Completion of the required coursework (including four approved elective science courses at the graduate level and one course from outside the sciences or three approved elective science courses at the graduate level and two courses from outside the sciences if pursuing teacher licensure at the middle school/high school level). Students must achieve a grade of B or better in all courses. SOU permits up to 15 credits of graduate-level courses (quarter hours or their equivalent) to be transferred into the program with advisor approval.

2.

Successful completion of the exit interviews regarding leadership and teaching in environmental education. The 30-40 minute interviews are conducted with two or more faculty members or instructors following the culminating field educational program delivered by the students (Fall in the Field) using the published scoring guides.

3.

Completion of a 20-30 minute presentation of an original environmental education lesson to program faculty and instructors. The lesson will be evaluated for effectiveness, creativity, pedagogy, and knowledge of natural history.

Completion of a thesis or project. Students must apply for this completion option by the end of the second quarter of coursework at SOU with the Program Director and have secured an advisor at the time of application. Students conducting research in the field of environmental education complete a thesis while those producing a product complete a project. The thesis or project substitutes for one of the science electives.

The student must also complete an oral examination which is attended by the student’s Evaluation Committee which consists of a minimum of three Graduate Faculty at least two of which are from the Biology Department) and an additional member from the Graduate Faculty. The fourth member is present to assure the student is treated fairly and that the standards of SOU are upheld. The oral examination typically takes one-and-a-half hours. It is the responsibility of the student to coordinate a time and place for the examination.

Program Options:

1.

Teacher licensure. Students may apply for the dual Environmental Education master’s degree/Oregon Initial teacher license. Licensure is available at either the middle/high school level (3/4) or the upper elementary/middle school level (2/3). At the 3/4 level students may seek endorsements in either Integrated Science or Biology and must meet the prerequisite coursework before beginning student teaching. Students seeking licensure at the 2/3 level must meet course prerequisites for that program. Refer to the Education department webpage for a list of the course prerequisites for each program. Teacher licensure requires coursework and student teaching in addition to the requirements for the Environmental Education degree though less than if pursuing both the degree and licensure separately.

2.

Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNPM). For those intending to work with a non-profit organization or initiate their own program, the CNPM provides vital skills and experiences. The CNPM may be earned with only 18 credits in addition to those required by the Environmental Education master’s program. Refer to the Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNPM) section of the catalog for a complete description of the program.