FAQ for UML M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education Online)
Note: UML = UMass Lowell; UMA = UMass Amherst.

1. Who can apply to the Program?

2. Will the program earn me professional teacher licensure?

3. How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?

4. May I take courses prior to matriculation? (Also see questions 12 and 13)

5. What is the application process?

6. What are the application deadlines?

7. What are the minimum entrance requirements?

8. Should my undergraduate degree be in science?

9. Will I have an advisor?

10. Will I need to come to campus at any point?

11. How do I register to take a course from UML?

12. Will I be taking some courses taught from UMA?

13. Can I transfer in courses from other institutions?

14. How do I register to take a course from UMA?

15. Are the passwords and email for UML and UMA courses the same?

16. Which campus receives payment for courses?

17. What will the degree cost?

18. If I find a course is not for me can I withdraw?

19. How will I find out my grades?

20. What is the grading system?

21. What are the computer requirements for taking an online course?

22. What type of computer software is required? What is the format of a course?

23. Who do I contact if I have a technical problem?

24. What is the online learning platform used for the courses?

25. Where can I get a copy of my syllabus?

26. Is there a course schedule? Do I have to be "in class" at a certain time?

27. Are books required?

28. How much time should I expect to spend on each course each week?

29. When I have completed my courses, how do I receive my degree?

30. OK - I am interested, what should I do now?

1. Who can apply to the 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 apply. Although not intended for high school teachers, some may find the courses beneficial. Please note, that this program is not a teacher preparation program and is NOT appropriate for those seeking initial teacher licensure in their state.

2. Will the program earn me professional teacher licensure?

If you are a Massachusetts teacher and already hold initial licensure in elementary education, middle school general science, earth science or math/science, you may be eligible for professional licensure through this program. Teachers from other states must consult their own state licensing regulations.

3. How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?

Generally, online students take a maximum of two online courses per semester. The program requires completion of 30 credits of coursework. Courses are offered in fall, spring and summer semesters. Depending upon scheduling and your choice of classes, it is possible to finish the program in less than two years.

4. May I take courses prior to matriculation? (Also see questions 12 and 13)

You may take four courses, but this is not recommended and does not guarantee your acceptance. We suggest taking only one or two courses prior to submitting an application. Courses taken prior to matriculation are considered as part of the twelve credit limit for transfer courses.

5. What is the application process?

Applications can be found online at the UML Graduate School web page: http://www.uml.edu/grad. You may complete the initial form and submit the application fee online. You must then send results from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), three letters of recommendation, transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended, and a one to two-page essay explaining your reason for seeking acceptance to this degree program.

6. What are the application deadlines?

A Rolling Application procedure is in place, however, to guarantee that your application will be reviewed in time for registration you should meet the following deadlines: for fall acceptance your complete application should be received by August 1; for spring acceptance your complete application should be received by December 1; for summer acceptance your complete application should be received by April 1.

7. What are the minimum entrance requirements?

The admissions committee examines each applicant's complete package of information, but successful applicants generally have an undergraduate gpa of 2.75 or better and GRE scores of 400-500 Verbal, 400-500 Quantitative, and 4.0 on the writing section. The essay is an important part of the application.

8. Should my undergraduate degree be in science?

NO - in fact this program was developed for teachers who teach some science, but do not have a background in the subject.

9. Will I have an advisor?

Yes, once you are accepted into the program, you should regularly email your assigned advisor. You will be informed of his/her name on your letter of acceptance.

10. Will I need to come to campus at any point?

No, all courses are online and all administrative procedures can be accomplished online.

11. How do I register to take a course from UML?

If you are a non-matriculated student taking your first course that you must go to http://continuinged.uml.edu/general/registration.htm where you will find registration information. Once you have taken one course (even prior to admission) you can use the UML ISIS system (Intercampus Student Information System).

After you have registered for your course you must "confirm your registration" at http://continuinged.uml.edu/online. You will then receive an e-mail that will provide you with a username and password. This will allow you to have access to your UML courses.

12. Will I be taking some courses taught from UMA?

In order to provide a wider offering of courses, this program was developed jointly by UMA and UML faculty. Therefore you may take up to five courses (15 credits) that come from UMA. This is a special arrangement, as normally only four courses (12 credits) are allowed from another institution (see next question). You will complete an ACADEMIC PETITION form available at http://www.uml.edu/grad/pdf/petition.pdf and send it to your advisor. The courses will become part of your UML degree.

13. Can I transfer in courses from other institutions?

You may transfer in a maximum of 2 courses (6 credits) with approval of the Graduate School of Education from an accredited institution that is not UMA. These can only be science content courses and cannot replace the required UML science education courses. By transferring courses in from another institution you will decrease the number of courses that you can take through UMA.

You may take 5 courses from UMA except in the following circumstances:

• If you transfer in 1 course (3 credits) from another institution you may only take 4 courses (12 credits) at UMA.
• If you transfer in 2 courses (6 credits) from another institution you may only take 3 courses (9 credits) at UMA.

14. How do I register to take a course from UMA?

Register for program courses offered by UMA through UMASS Amherst's Division of Continuing Education after consulting your advisor http://www.umassulearn.net.

15. Are the passwords and email for UML and UMA courses the same?

No, you will need to keep your log-in information separate for courses coming from the two campuses. You will also receive an email account from UML and an email account from UML.

• UML email structure is first_last@student.uml.edu e.g. john_smith@uml.edu.
• UMA email structure is first initial last name@educ.umass.edu e.g. jsmith@educ.umass.edu.

16. Which campus receives payment for courses?

If you take a course that comes from UML you pay UML. If you take a course that comes from UMA you pay UMA.

17. What will the degree cost?

If you take five courses from UML and 5 courses from UMA, the approximate cost of the degree will be between $11,000 and $12,000 at September 2005 tuition and fee rates.

18. If I find a course is not for me can I withdraw?

Both UML and UMA post the dates for dropping a course with full return of course fees and tuition or partial refund. Once the drop date has passed you may withdraw from the course, but will receive no refund. The final withdraw date is also posted on the graduate calendar or on the continuing education website. You must drop or withdraw from your UML courses using the Intercampus Student Information System (ISIS).

19. How will I find out my grades?

As a UML student you will be given an ISIS account which allows you to register on line and then to access your grades at the end of the semester. Once you have filled out the academic petition form to transfer in courses taken at UMA, these will also appear on your ISIS account.

20. What is the grading system?

Graduate courses are graded A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-,C+,C or F. You must maintain a gpa of 3.0 in order to graduate. You may count no more than two grades below B in your degree.

21. What are the computer requirements for taking an online course?

Please refer to the Continuing Studies and Corporate Education link at: http://continuinged.uml.edu/online/techrequire.htm.

22. What type of computer software is required? What is the format of a course?

Access to the Internet via Internet Explorer or Firefox is required. You may have to download RealTime to view video for some courses, but this is a free download.

23. Who do I contact if I have a technical problem?

If you have a technical problem, contact the Continuing and Online Studies' Technical Support Department at http://continuinged.uml.edu/online/feedback.htm.

24. What is the online learning platform used for the courses?

All courses, whether from UML or UMA, are taught using WebCT Vista.

25. Where can I get a copy of my syllabus?

Once the course opens, you will be able to access the syllabus for the courses you are enrolled in through your course web page.

26. Is there a course schedule? Do I have to be "in class" at a certain time?

The course schedule will be guided by the syllabus which you will find online for your particular course. The syllabus may specify times for a "synchronous chat" at which times you will need to be present "in class" online as scheduled. Each online class lesson is "released" to students on a specific day. Students may complete class assignments during the week or on the weekends to meet instructor deadlines.

27. Are books required?

Just like a face-to-face course, all requirements for books and/or materials will be listed on the syllabus that appears for your course online. Books can be purchased through the online bookstore at http://direct.mbsbooks.com/umlonline.htm. Additionally, you will be required to purchase kits for some courses.

28. How much time should I expect to spend on each course each week?

The amount of time students should expect to spend each week on each SEO course will vary. Each course will be different in content, semester projects, and weekly assignments -- including online discussions with instructors and students. The university indicates that, as a rule of thumb, students enrolled in graduate courses should expect to devote approximately 3 hours per week for each credit earned in the course. Thus, for a 3-credit graduate course, students should plan to invest at least 9 hours per week for course attendance, reading, completion of activities and written assignments, and online interactions with instructors and peers.

29. When I have completed my courses, how do I receive my degree?

You will complete the clearance procedure through the Graduate School website at http://www.uml.edu/grad/pdf/clearance.pdf. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for meeting the clearance date as posted on the graduate calendar at http://www.uml.edu/grad/more_info/index.htm. You may elect to come to campus for Commencement (generally held the first Sunday in June in Lowell) or have your diploma mailed to you.

ALL POLICIES THAT PERTAIN TO GRADUATE DEGREES ARE PRINTED IN THE GRADUATE CATALOG ONLINE AND APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM.
http://www.uml.edu/grad/

30. OK - I am interested, what should I do now?

Email anita_greenwood@uml.edu and find out which courses are available this semester.