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Department of Technology
Student demonstrates his work to the class.

STEM Education and Leadership

Overview

The Illinois State University STEM Education and Leadership MS Degree Program is a standards-based sequence in Illinois aimed at preparing teachers in integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, while also emphasizing the leadership component necessary for implementing school change. Graduate students in this program can anticipate a research-oriented, yet classroom-centered approach to STEM education. Our philosophy on STEM education holds that it is a meta-discipline that exists at the school level, where all teachers, particularly STEM educators, teach integrated concepts, treating discipline-specific content not as separate, but as one dynamic, fluid study. Furthermore, we believe that a STEM classroom should prioritize authentic content and real-world problems, employing hands-on technological tools, equipment, and procedures in innovative ways to address human wants and needs. The four core STEM Education and Leadership courses are offered online.

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Financial Support

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STEM Education and Leadership Course Offerings

  • TEC 410: STEM Education Foundations — Summer 2026
  • TEC 423: STEM Education Learning Theories — Summer 2026
  • TEC 424: STEM Education Integrated Curriculum — Fall 2025
  • TEC 425: STEM Education Leadership — Spring 2026

To learn more about each course, the prerequisites, and any additional degree requirements, review the Graduate Catalog.

Core Classes

All Department of Technology master's students must take these classes:

  • TEC 445: Statistics in Applied Science and Technology — fall, spring
  • TEC 497: Introduction to Research Methodology — fall, spring

Degree Options

Thesis

A total of 30 hours is required to complete the degree, including a thesis (for 6 credit hours). After completing the required 5 courses, a student choosing the thesis option will need to complete an additional 9 hours of elective courses.

Comprehensive Experience

A total of 33 hours is required to complete the culminating comprehensive option. After completing the required courses, a student choosing this option will need to complete an additional 9 hours of electives, and 9 hours in a secondary area of concentration of conceptually connected coursework.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of their Master of Science, students will be able to:

  1. Approach problems and challenges in a systematic way.
  2. Understand trends, issues, and developments in area of specialization.
  3. Demonstrate professional written and oral communication skills.
  4. Effectively use current techniques and technologies of specialization.
  5. Function as a leader in their field.
  6. Understand, evaluate, and apply appropriate research.

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