Degree Requirements, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online at https://utexas.box.com/v/UTAustinGraduateHandbooks. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.
Master's Degrees
Prerequisites for admission to each master’s degree program are a baccalaureate degree and prior coursework in education, science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Master of Arts. The program consists of 36 hours for a Master of Arts with thesis, or 33 hours for a Master of Arts with no thesis. The major field is composed of 18 hours in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, including 15 hours in the STEM education core course and advance topic sequence, and three hours of research methods classes in STEM education. The minor field consists of nine hours of content courses in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Additional hours (six hours for the no thesis option and three hours for the thesis option) may be drawn from coursework chosen by the student in conjunction with the graduate advisor. Students pursuing the thesis option take six additional hours of coursework for thesis preparation.
Master of Education. The program is the same as the program for the Master of Arts described above, with one exception: in addition to the requirements for a Master of Arts, students must be certified to teach at the elementary or secondary level.
Doctor of Philosophy
Students seeking the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must show evidence of related professional and academic experience. Sixty-three hours of coursework (including a minimum of six credits of dissertation) are required for the degree.
Program Requirements
Core courses. Students must complete the 12-semester-hour core course sequence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Content courses. Students must complete 12 semester hours of coursework in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. This requirement is waived for students who enter the program with a master’s degree in mathematics, one of the sciences, or engineering.
Research methodology. Students must complete at least 12 hours of coursework in research methodology.
Research practicum. Students must complete at least nine hours of coursework of research practicum.
Advanced topics courses. Students must complete at least six hours of coursework on special areas of interest or on emerging areas of research.
Related courses. Students are expected to broaden and deepen their Program of Work by taking a minimum of 6 hours of related coursework consonant with their scholarly interests. This coursework must be chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor or faculty mentor.
A more detailed description of all required courses is available in the STEM Education graduate handbook.