The Science Education Online (SEO) graduate program combines the expertise of education and science faculty and K-12 teachers at the University of Massachusetts to develop science and science education courses that are inquiry-based and have strong hands-on components. Aided by kits of materials developed by course instructors, participants in SEO engage in a variety of guided and open-ended inquiries as the primary means of developing their understanding of the concepts. In addition, participants assess their own science teaching and use the strategies presented to design learning experiences for their own classrooms. All courses are offered entirely online.

SEO has been developed jointly* by UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell faculty in Education, Science, and Engineering. Degree candidates may matriculate at either UMass Amherst or UMass Lowell. Although courses are shared, the degree programs have different requirements and applicants should visit the respective campus websites for further details.

WHO can enroll in the SEO program?
The program is intended for elementary and middle school classroom teachers who are teaching some science and wish to increase their content knowledge and teaching skills. Special Education teachers who work in classrooms where science is taught are also encouraged to participate. While the program was not designed for high school science teachers, they may certainly apply if the courses appear to meet their needs. While this is not a teacher preparation program, for Massachusetts teachers who hold certain initial licenses, professional licensure may be available. Contact the program advisors for specific information.

WHAT are SEO courses like?
Click on Sample Activities to view examples of the types of activities that are done in SEO courses, including photos posted by course participants.

WHERE is the SEO program?
Science Education Online is a jointly developed* program offered through the Amherst and Lowell campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Regardless of which campus students enroll, courses are equally available to UMASS Amherst and UMASS Lowell students. All courses are offered completely online.

WHEN are SEO courses offered?
Courses are offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Each course syllabus will specify the course schedule, with each online lesson being "released" to students on a specific day of the week. In general, participation will be via "asynchronous" discussions and email, where students post assignments according to specified guidelines and due dates. Students may complete class assignments during the week or on the weekends, as long as they meet the course requirements and deadlines set by the instructor(s).

WHY should I enroll?
Participants who complete this program may earn:
Master of Education (through UMASS Amherst & UMASS Lowell)
Massachusetts Professional Licensure (through UMASS Amherst & UMASS Lowell)
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (through UMASS Amherst).

* Program development funded by the National Science Foundation, Grant # ESI -0243536.