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General Science (1-6)
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Grade Levels:
1-6
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Credits for Licensure:
32-35
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Credits:
30
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Degree:
Master of Education
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Program Approved:
Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education
Program Description
The General Science (1-6) program prepares you to teach effective, hands-on, inquiry-based science education to elementary school students. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the Massachusetts science education model with a balance of earth, life, physical, and engineering sciences. The program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Massachusetts Teaching Licensure
This program offers the option to earn your general science teaching licensure (grades 1-6) in Massachusetts. A non-licensure option is also available. Please note that, at Cambridge College locations outside of Massachusetts, this program is currently non-licensure only.
Cambridge College General Science Program Highlights
Prepare for rewarding careers teaching science to students in grades 1-6. The master’s degree in general science offers a flexible, affordable graduate program option that fits your life.
- Career-focused learning. The general science degree focuses on how to integrate the eight practices of science with the subject matter knowledge content standards in PK-8 general science.
- Hands-on training. Licensure students will complete a general science practicum (and supporting practicum seminar) that provides real-world classroom experience with the guidance of an experienced science teacher.
- Flexible course schedules. Combining face-to-face and online course options, this program offers flexible options designed to fit the needs of working professionals.
- Affordable education. Cambridge College is one of the most affordable four-year private nonprofit colleges in the United States, giving you exceptional value for your education.
- Convenient location. Save time and money on your commute. All Cambridge College classrooms are located close to major highways and public transportation and/or offer free parking for students throughout the year.
Enrich your life and education by working with other adult learners from around the world. Cambridge College welcomes more than 300 students from 50+ countries and was recently ranked among the most ethnically diverse colleges in America.
General Science (1-6) Learning Outcomes
Our graduates are career-ready, technology savvy, and equipped to advance social justice. They take on a variety of jobs for science teachers, prepared to engage young learners in scientific practices and the engineering design process. Knowledge and skills covered include how to:
- Design and conduct scientific inquiries to test scientific hypotheses.
- Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
- Convey how science, technology, and math inform each other and serve as mechanisms for inquiry into the nature of the universe.
- Use best practices to teach inquiry-based science and develop a balanced approach to hands-on science instruction.
- Create a safe and collaborative learning environment to engage all students in their learning.
- Implement well-structured lessons with measurable assessments of learning and engage in ongoing reflection on practice.
General Science Degree Jobs
There is a growing demand for qualified science teachers. This degree will provide the specific training and licensure for teaching science in Massachusetts, in addition to preparing you for a variety of other science teacher jobs:
- Elementary science specialist (PreK-5)
- Middle school general science teacher (5-8)
- Science museum educator
- Nature center guide
- Aquarium and zoo educator
Science Teacher Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for elementary school teachers in Massachusetts is $76,590.
Example General Science (1-6) Courses
The master’s degree in teaching general science features courses such as:
- Methods and Materials for Teaching General Science
- Teaching Engineering and Technology
- Logistics of Teaching Science
Download the General Science (1-6) program sheet.
General Science Scholarships and Financial Aid
You may qualify for grants, scholarships, loans, and other types of financial assistance to help pay for your master’s degree in general science. Learn more about applying for financial aid at Cambridge College.
Many companies also offer tuition assistance programs that can help to pay for education. Find information about getting your company to help.
Related Programs at Cambridge College
If you’re still exploring degree options, you might be interested in learning more about these programs at Cambridge College:
Curriculum
Non-licensure option: All program components are required (including pre-practicum) except for SEI, Practicum Readiness course, Practicum, Practicum Seminar, and MTEL exams. Eleven credits of science content coursework are required. These courses must be selected in consultation with the program chair.
Please note: At Cambridge College locations outside of Massachusetts, this program is currently non-licensure only.
Option: take SCI 680 or ELE 653.
Students are required to enroll in this 0-credit course during the first semester of their program experience. Enrollment in this 0-credit course activates student access to the Tevera portfolio which facilities the tracking and storage of essential documents required for program completion.
This course is designed to support the 2017 Massachusetts Science/Technology and Engineering Standards, specifically aligned to the Technology and Engineering Standards. Students will be instructed utilizing best practices in engineering design processes, material, tools and manufacturing and technological systems at the intermediate level of understanding. Special focus will be directed in the integration of life, earth and physical sciences as they are used to solve problems and challenges in the field of engineering.
This course is designed to provide the elementary science specialist (1-6) and the middle school science teacher (5-8) with the specialized skill set to meet the Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers, science safety standards, lab/classroom set-up and design, and management of science equipment. Students will also be guided in the opening of an electronic portfolio system (TaskStream) that will capture all of their academic and licensure requirements as highly qualified science teachers.
For licensure, select eight 1-credit online courses below.
For non-licensure, select 11 credits.
- Confer with advisor before choosing courses.
- Be sure to address your weakest areas of science content.
- Pass all MTELs required by Massachusetts for this license: Communication & Literacy test and, for 1-6: Successful completion of coursework
- SEI605 Sheltered English Immersion or ESE-endorsed course or SEI MTEL.
- Pass all required courses.
- Pre-Practicum — Successfully complete program-specific hours in diverse settings (0 credit)
- EDU704 Practicum Readiness (1 credit)
- Submit Practicum Application and Placement Approval Forms.
This course is specifically designed to determine readiness for the practicum. It will assist the teacher candidate to develop his/her skills to be ready to assume the role of student teacher from the first day of practicum. Students will understand the requirements of CAP by engaging in and completing the forms for each of the "essentials" and completing their own goals. All of the Tevera components, other than the practicum documents, will be completed. MTELs will be completed. Those having difficulty with the MTELs will be directed for support. Fieldwork assignments will be required.
Guided and evaluated by a licensed/certified general science teacher in the classroom and a Cambridge College general science supervisor. Practicum locations are subject to ESE regulations and must be discussed with the program chair and approved by the pre-practicum/practicum coordinator.
Program Chair
Core Faculty
Senior Instructor
Pages
Admissions
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Admission Test:
No standardized graduate school tests required for admission into non-licensure programs.
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Admissions Office:
1-800-829-4723
- Application Form:
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
Health Requirements for Massachusetts Students
The Massachusetts Health Department and Cambridge College require the following of students in Massachusetts:
Immunizations – All students in Massachusetts are required to get certain immunizations before you can register for your first term. See form
Health Insurance – In Massachusetts, undergraduate students taking nine or more credits/term and graduate students taking six or more credits/term must enroll in the College’s health insurance plan. Students who have insurance with comparable coverage may request a waiver. See information and enroll or waive.
School Requirements
See Admissions Requirements for School of Education
International Students
International students need to provide supplemental documentation:
- Official demonstration of English language proficiency
- Supplemental documentation for issuance of I-20
- International transcripts, evaluated by an accepted evaluation service
Transfer Credit
Graduate program applicants, please complete the transfer credit request form if you wish to have prior course work evaluated for transfer. Learn more.
Undergraduate program applicants, once you are accepted, your official transcripts are evaluated for transfer credit.
Tuition
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Credits for Licensure:
32-35
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Credits:
30
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Cost per credit hour:
$639
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
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Health Insurance Fee:
$3,940 - Required for Massachusetts students only. See waiver details on Tuition & Fees page.
Note: Rates are as of June 2023, and are subject to change without notice. Rates apply to all students unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid
Cambridge College offers financial aid to students in our degree programs who are enrolled at least half-time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each term. Graduate and doctoral students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits each term. Learn more
Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
Cambridge College welcomes the opportunity to support your efforts to pay for college. Federal, state, and local resources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study, including Cambridge College Scholarships, are available to help defray the cost of tuition. Learn more
Getting Your Company to Help
Many companies have tuition assistance programs, designed to help their employees with their professional development. Learn more