MA in STEM education
Rowan’s immersive master’s degree in STEM education blends real classroom experiences with courses that lead to teacher certification, giving you the training needed to excel as a K-12 educator.
Why choose Rowan’s STEM education program?
If you're passionate about teaching math or science and ready to make a difference in students' lives, Rowan University’s Master of Arts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education degree program offers an accelerated path forward.
Designed for individuals with a background in mathematics, engineering or the sciences, this program allows you to earn your initial New Jersey teaching certificate and your master’s degree simultaneously.
Unlike similar degrees that take years to finish, Rowan combines content-rich coursework and meaningful field experiences into a 13-month STEM education program. Throughout, you’ll elevate your STEM knowledge, enhance your teaching practice, learn new instructional methods and spend time in real middle and high school classrooms. And after graduation, you’ll remain part of a strong professional network that continues to support you as you launch your teaching career.
Key considerations
Quick Facts
Months To Complete
Credits
Application Deadlines
Summer Entry Term
Studying STEM education at Rowan
What You’ll Learn
Rowan’s 13-month MA in STEM education degree is a full-time program that combines rigorous coursework with practical preparation for the classroom. You’ll complete 12 graduate-level courses, delivered through both online and face-to-face instruction, all designed to elevate your expertise in teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the K–12 level.
Offered through Rowan University’s College of Education, which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), courses explore adolescent learning, inclusive instruction, STEM research methods and curriculum planning. They are aligned with state teaching certification requirements and the real-world demands of today’s schools.
You can also select specific certification areas within the program. Each consists of a set of foundation courses and additional admission requirements.
- K-12 Biology
- K-12 Chemistry
- K-12 Computer Science
- K-12 Earth Science
- K-12 Mathematics
- K-12 Physical science
- K-12 Physics
Note: The New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE), not Rowan University, grants certifications based on requirements set by the state. While coursework for this program meets the academic requirements for NJ DOE certification, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all other certification requirements are met, including, but not limited to, the appropriate type and level of license and years of experience. NJ DOE certification requirements are subject to change. Certification applications are evaluated by NJ DOE based on the most current state requirements.
STEM education key courses
- Adolescent Literacies
- Inclusive Instruction in STEM Classrooms
- Professional Seminar for STEM Educators
- Schools & Society: Foundations for Secondary Teaching
- STEM: Teaching & Research Methods
- Teaching STEM in Diverse Settings
Note: The course information above is not official and is subject to change. For an official list of available courses, please review the Rowan University Academic Catalog.
Student learning outcomes
The goals of the Master of Arts in STEM education degree program are to:
- Develop future science and math teacher candidates who are well-informed in their current reform-based content and pedagogy.
- Expand the STEM-capable teacher workforce and broaden the participation of women and minorities in STEM teacher preparation.
- Prepare science and math teacher candidates who identify that STEM education exists in social/historical/political contexts and is not separate from human sense-making of the world.
- Prepare science and math teacher candidates who are cognizant of the need to view STEM education as a venue for social justice practices and addressing diversity, equity and inclusion within and beyond the secondary classroom.
- Prepare science and math teacher candidates to attend to the culture and equity of opportunity for all students.
- Provide science and math teacher candidates with access to specialized tools and routines and co-develop tools and routines with them that support their attempts at STEM education instruction, planning and assessment.
- Prepare science and math teacher candidates to sequence instructional and learning experiences to help integrate ideas and revise understandings of “big ideas” of STEM fields.
H4: Minimum grade and cumulative GPA requirements
All matriculated and graduate students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress each term of enrollment. Students in the STEM education program must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA with no course final grade below a B-. Any course with a final grade below a B- must be repeated before moving forward in the program.
Field Experience and Clinical Requirements
Classroom experiences are built into every stage of Rowan’s STEM education program. It begins with an early field experience that leads to a yearlong teacher residency—your designated clinical practice—where you’ll work in a partner middle or high school Monday through Thursday, applying what you’ve learned in real classroom settings. Fridays are reserved for continued coursework and reflection.
The program culminates in a professional seminar that supports your transition from teacher candidate to classroom leader, helping you prepare to plan for and manage your own learning environment.
This immersive structure ensures that you’re not only gaining content knowledge but also building confidence, refining your teaching strategies and receiving continuous feedback along the way. Fieldwork may also include school-based field trips, collaborative projects and instructional mentorship.
Admission Requirements
Your journey to becoming a certified STEM teacher begins here—start your application today!
After you apply, a representative from Rowan University's Office of Admissions will contact you to confirm your application status or notify you of any missing items. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program. We encourage you to begin applying and submitting your materials at least one month before the application deadline.
- Completed application
- $65 nonrefundable application fee
- Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution of higher learning in a field such as math, engineering or science
- Recommended minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
- Current professional résumé
- Typewritten statement of professional objectives
- Provide reasons for pursuing the STEM education program. Describe how you might use this program to advance your career (educational goals beyond the master’s degree level, if applicable, are also relevant).
- Two letters of recommendation
- Letters of recommendation should be from professional administrators and include information that attests to the applicant’s ability to pursue a graduate degree.
- Certificate Program Acknowledgement
- Submission of official test results demonstrating passing scores on all Praxis II Exams required for specific licensure area
- Interview
- Foundation coursework (undergraduate/pre-requisite coursework is required prior to admission or concurrently with program enrollment)
- Eligible applicants must have successfully completed undergraduate foundation courses at an accredited institution with a minimum grade of C-.
- Students in this program are required to meet admission course requirements in either K-12 biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, mathematics, physical science or physics NJ state certification subject areas. Please consult your Academic Advisor for more information.
Note: Teachers in the state of New Jersey may apply to the MA in STEM education degree program through the New Jersey Teacher Outreach Program (NJTOP®).
Tuition and Aid
The STEM education program is an affordable path to K-12 certification and a master’s degree in just over a year. Contact the College of Education for information on potential scholarships and funding opportunities.
Review additional financial aid services for graduate programs at Rowan.
STEM education student stories
"Over the past four years, I’ve taken chemistry courses with some education classes mixed in. Next year I’ll be student teaching as part of my master's degree."
Jacob E
Burlington County, NJ
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