Masters

Applied Science, MAS (Science for Educators)

Master of Applied Science Degree with a Specialization in Science for Educators

The online Master of Applied Science (MAS) with a specialization in Science for Educators degree program enhances educators' science content knowledge and pedagogy experience to create applicable standards-based curriculum.

Total Credits

$357

Cost Per Credit

Online

UNL

Students choose the Applied, MAS (Science for Educators) program to:

Acquire new and enhanced knowledge of science concepts and examine science in the context of the world around us.
Integrate standards-based science content with age-appropriate pedagogy and establish connections between the natural and designed world, linking science and technology.
Apply science content to real-world challenges, develop relevant, standards-based curriculum materials and inspire students with science in action.
Advance their teacher education so they can better prepare their students for careers in STEM.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln, chartered as a land-grant university on February 15, 1869, creates opportunities for the state of Nebraska. It ranks consistently in the top tier of national research universities.

Students learn from faculty who create new knowledge, develop one-to-one connections with students and foster a sense of community. UNL is a proud member of the Big Ten Conference, the Big Ten Academic Alliance, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

Learning at UNL

young girl working on science experiment

Career Outlook

Employment of high school teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. In addition, Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 124,300 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

The Applied Science, MAS (Science for Educators) degree program provides valuable knowledge that can be applied to a multitude of careers in education, including:

Elementary teachers
Middle & high school science teachers
Community college educators
Extension educators
Home school instructors
Public health professionals

Finance Your Education

The University of Nebraska offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in the region, particularly for our online programs. Explore the array of funding options to finance your education in a way that makes sense for you.

Online tuition rates are calculated by credit hour and college offering the course and, because the University of Nebraska is a public institution supported by Nebraska taxpayers, Nebraska residents may receive a lower tuition rate than out-of-state students.

Cost Per Credit
In-State	Out-of-State
$357	$676
Note: Campuses may charge additional fees; see the Paying for School page for more details.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

We believe cost should not be a barrier to accessing higher education, even for online programs. Financial aid and scholarships are available for many students. Please see the Paying for School page for additional information and links to campus financial aid resources.

Military and Veteran Services

Our programs are an ideal way for military, veterans, and dependents to advance education with military advisers and staff on each campus, flexible deployment and activation policies, and generous acceptance of transfer credits. Visit our Prospective Student page and explore what the University of Nebraska offers.

Ready to achieve your goals?

NU has the online experience for you.

Learn more

Courses

NRES 897

Master of Applied Science Project

3 credit hours

Description

Project activity for the Master of Applied Science degree. Design, develop and complete a project that requires synthesis of the course topics covered in the primary area of emphasis.

ENTO 810

Insects as Educational Tools for the Classroom

3 credit hours

Description
Prerequisites

Overview of insects. Insect diversity, insect structure and function, insect ecology and behavior, and the beneficial and detrimental roles insects play. Integrating the study of insects into the classroom to enhance science education.

Introductory entomology course.

NRES 809

Laboratory Earth: Earth and Its Systems

3 credit hours

Description

The earth as a system and the "real world" applications of fundamental physical science processes in this system. Interaction of energy and matter in the geosphere, in the hydrosphere, and in the atmosphere. The earth's relationships to the sun, moon, and other astronomical objects in the solar system.

FDST 801

Teaching Applications of Food Service

3 credit hours

Description

Overview of the science of food and how food can be used in the classroom to enhance science education.

NRES 832

Laboratory Earth: Human Dimensions of Climate Change

3 credit hours

Description

Examine science behind global climate change. Use primary data sets to understand the implications for climate change at global and regional/local scales. Focus on potential impacts on human systems including drought, sea level rise, severe weather and populations most likely to be impacted by climate change.

NRES 814

Laboratory Earth: Earth's Natural Resource Systems

3 credit hours

Description

Fundamental concepts in the Earth and physical sciences in the understanding of Earth's natural resource systems. Rock and minerals, water, soil, and energy resources. Social factors, human dependence, and the impact of these on natural resource systems.

NRES 830

Laboratory Earth: Climate Change Research Applications

3 credit hours

Description

Climate-change issues serve as a context to develop research questions and design a discrete, locally oriented research project through which they define a problem, analyze data, and develop conclusions to potentially impact decision-making in their community.

ENTO 806

Insect Ecology

3 credit hours

Description

Biotic and abiotic factors as they influence insect development, behavior, distribution, and abundance.

NRES 822

Laboratory Earth: Earth’s Changing Systems

3 credit hours

Description

Fundamental concepts related to understanding Earth's changing natural systems in the past, present, and the future. The cycling of matter and energy; the relationship between human activity and environmental change; and the consequence of these relationships.

AGRO 821

Learning Biotechnology

3 credit hours

Description
Prerequisites

This course focuses on investigating biotechnology and its application in solving problems and connecting biotechnology to basic science concepts in biology and chemistry. It also integrates individually designed biotechnology lessons into learning standards.

Successful completion of a minimum of 12 hours of plant science courses.

AGRO 832

Learning Plant Science

3 credit hours

Description

The biology of plants grown for food, fiber, fuel and fun. Connect applied plant science to basic science concepts in biology and chemistry. Integrate individually designed plant science lessons into learning standards.

SCIL 800

Experiential Learning in Food, Energy, and Water Systems II

3 credit hours

Description

A multifaceted experience that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students. Students will complete an internship or a research project in an approved professional or academic setting that will provide them with a challenging and engaging experience. As part of this experience, students will cater knowledge and skills from the minor as appropriate for a professional career, begin to build a network for support and future employment, and clarify individual professional goals and strategies for career development. The experience will culminate in the development of a creative product that illustrates the students' knowledge and skills relevant to food, energy, and/or water systems.

Students in this program work with their adviser to develop a program of study that is consistent with their interests and educational needs.

The Specialization in Science for Educators requires a minimum of nine hours which should be selected from the core courses plus a minimum of three credit hours for a Master of Applied Science Project. The project is developed in consultation between the student and the adviser.

Elective courses include a list of current options. However, the program is flexible and additional options are available to fill this requirement.

Degree Project:

The Applied Science, MAS (Science for Educators) program includes a degree project. This project replaces a traditional master's thesis and is intended to be of immediate value in the student's workplace for career advancement.  Specifically, the Science for Educators specialization includes coursework that shows how, why and where science fits into the real world and applications for curriculum. Courses integrate systems-thinking and are consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards.

The Master of Applied Science (MAS) is a flexible program that allows students the option to personalize the program around a specialization. Beef Cattle Production is a specialization area of the MAS program. Students declare a specialization when applying for admission or when establishing a plan of study. The specialization is reported on the student’s transcript.

Applied Science, MAS
The online Master of Applied Science (MAS) degree program prepares students pursuing a professional degree in agriculture, food, and natural resources at the master's level. Students of this program become the problem-solvers, innovators, and teachers pertaining to the great challenges our world faces related to food, energy, and water in our landscapes.
Applied Science, MAS (Beef Cattle Production)
The online Master of Applied Science (MAS) with a specialization in Beef Cattle Production degree program offers students interested in beef cattle the opportunity to become more familiar with nutrition, meat science, genetics, and growth topics.
Applied Science, MAS (Community Development)
The online Master of Applied Science (MAS) with a specialization in Community Development degree program equips students with the tools and experiences to contribute to positive changes in communities and regions.

David Gosselin

Professor

David Gosselin is a professor of Earth science. Over the past 15 years, developing educational programs in the area of Earth systems science has become his passion. The common theme among his research activities has been geochemistry, water-rock interaction and fluid migration. His work has emphasized understanding the occurrence of arsenic and uranium in public water supplies and trying to develop a more economic approach to dealing with this water quality issue.

Transfer Credits

If you are a college student considering transferring courses, an adult returning to college or a high school student with college credit, Transfer Nebraska is for you.

Learn More

Admissions

Join a community that believes in academic excellence through a curriculum that is relevant to the real world. All University of Nebraska colleges offer unique opportunities in research and hands-on experiences that are critical to gaining an edge in a competitive global marketplace.

With the resources, faculty and technology at Nebraska, you’ll collaborate, invent, research, contribute and succeed—all before you graduate. No matter what your ambition is, you can make it happen here.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into this program you must have:

A 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale.
A bachelor's degree in a related field.
3 letters of recommendation.
Taken the TOEFL or IELTS (only required if English is not your native language).
A written personal statement explaining why they want to pursue a Master of Applied Science degree. In addition, the student should describe how obtaining this degree will help your personal, career, and/or professional goals, as well as their level of commitment to the successful completion of this degree.
Official or unofficial transcripts from all previous schools.

NOTE: If you reside in Kentucky, please contact a program adviser before applying.

To verify this program is permitted in your state, see our Distance Education State Authorization Dashboard.

Application Instructions

Application Fee: $50

Application Checklist:

Complete the online application. Use the "School Designation" section in online application to select program and area of concentration you wish to apply.
Submit application fee.

Student Experience

NU offers fully online certificates, bachelor's, master’s and doctoral programs that fit the schedule of a working professional. With the flexibility to complete thoughtfully designed coursework when your schedule allows, NU can help you build your career and propel you to the next stage in life.

"Despite 25 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, I knew I had to continue to find ways to be up to date with business trends and have the credentials to move forward in the marketplace."

Pedro Londono
MBA, Specialization in Marketing

"In the scientific field an advanced degree is essential. My education equipped me to do exactly what I wanted and helped me get a promotion."

Cayman Adams
Biology, MS

"This is a master's program I was actually excited about. My concentration allowed me room to tailor electives to my own needs and goals - in life and in my career."

Angela Collins
Critical & Creative Thinking, Organizational Science and Leadership

See Yourself at NU

Similar Programs