Master's degree is only available for science education

We are not offering a mathematics M.Ed. program at this time. Math is only an option for Ph.D. students. Those wanting to specialize in science can earn a M.Ed. or Ph.d.

Duration

2 years for M.Ed.
Within 10 years for Ph.D.

Credits earned

45 for M.Ed.
80+ for Ph.D.

Format

On-campus

Time commitment

Full-time

Upcoming deadline

January 3, 2025

Culturally responsive science and math educators

The Science or Mathematics Education Specialization program enables students to recognize, study, and address contemporary challenges and their historical roots to equitable and socially just ways of educating youth and working with families. Faculty are committed to work with and alongside local, regional and global communities on mathematics and science teaching and learning. We expect graduates to develop culturally responsive forms of expertise in mathematics and science instruction, curriculum and program design.

Graduate students will have opportunities to:

  • Engage with theory and research in equity and justice in mathematics and science teaching and learning, including philosophical and historical perspectives, and contemporary social challenges
  • Develop conceptions of intersectional justice (especially as it relates to race, decolonization, the environment, disability, language, gender, sexuality, and other minoritized social markers) with respect to mathematics and science education
  • Engage with Indigenous pedagogies and ways of knowing
  • Strengthen understandings of the conceptions, experiences, identities of youth as learners in formal and informal math and science learning environments
  • Interrogate the assumptions, purposes, and principles that guide different visions of teaching and learning
  • Work in partnership with various teacher and leadership communities dedicated to improving mathematics and science outcomes
  • Develop a vision and frameworks for leadership within mathematics or science communities, inside schools, or in informal and non-formal settings.
teacher and students working together

After graduation

Our program supports students to deepen the work in their current positions and launch into new leadership positions. Master degree graduates have gone on to be leaders in departments, schools, districts, outdoor education programs, and non-profit curriculum development projects. Others have gone on to teach in community college settings and work with youth in a variety of settings. Doctoral graduates have taken positions as researchers in non-profit research organizations and as faculty in a variety of higher education institutions. They have also gone on to be leaders of non-profit organizations, district and state educational institutions, teacher education programs, and curriculum organizations. 

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Curriculum

    Ph.D. program for science or mathematics education

    Ph.D. students work closely with their advisers to create highly tailored programs of study that include intermediate and advanced coursework in math or science education. Students will also explore outside coursework to gain broader perspective and deeper insight into their chosen specialized topic.

    M.Ed. program for science education
    • 9 credits in Foundations of Education
    • 18 credits in an area of science specialization
    • 9 credits of coursework in a supporting area of study
    • 9 credits in a Culminating Experience

    At least 18 credits will be earned through a combination of science education courses (within the College of Education) and natural science courses (outside the College). One specific course is required: EDC&I 480 Culturally responsive STEM teaching. You will select the rest of your courses in the natural sciences with the approval of the faculty supervisor in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, oceanography, and other science-related areas. The majority of natural sciences courses should be taken at the 400 level or above.

    Admission requirements and process

      Below, please find instructions for listing the Science or Math Education program as your area of interest on your application:

      1. Go to the 'Program Selection' page/tab in the application.
      2. From the 'Select your application type' drop-down menu, select 'Graduate.'
      3. "From the 'Select your program' drop-down menu, select either  'Education - Seattle (MEd - Curriculum & Instruction)' or  'Education - Seattle (PhD- Curriculum & Instruction)' depending on the degree you are seeking (i.e., M.Ed. or Ph.D.).
      4. Save and continue.
      5. Select Autumn 2025 from the drop-down menu, check the required box, and save and continue.
      6. Click on 'Add Interest Area' and select 'Science Education' or 'Math Education' from the drop-down menu.
      7. Save your selection.

      *Please note there is no ME.d. option for math education.

      Program selection page on application.Program selection page on application.
      Degree from an accredited institution
      • A bachelor's degree is required for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program
      • A master's degree is required for the doctorate program
      • Your degree can be in-process at the time of your application but must be completed before the program starts.
      Unofficial transcript(s) with minimum 3.0 GPA
      • You must submit an unofficial transcript(s) with your application. The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or 3.0 for your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits), however this is just one part of the application.
      • Our programs review all applications holistically, so we encourage you to still apply. You do not need to take classes to increase your GPA. Instead, we would like for you to focus on a goal statement which discusses your interests and how the program will meet your professional or individual goals and strong letters of recommendation. You can also feel free to address why your GPA is lower than a cumulative 3.0.
      Three letters of recommendation for Doctoral, two letters for Masters

      During the online application process, you will be given instructions for adding your recommenders and getting their letters submitted electronically.

      Resume/Vita

      A current academic and professional resume or vita is required. A resume is intended to showcase your skills and experiences and to summarize the work you’ve done in your career. You should include educational degrees and professional experience, and it should also detail all relevant awards, publications, presentations or other achievements. Highlight relevant qualifications and skills that are directly connected to the program and degree to which you are applying.

      Be sure to review your resume to show clear communication - free of errors - and attention to detail.

      Statement of Purpose

      Your statement should address goals, relevant experience, future plans and how the desired specific program meets your needs. Be sure to include personal experiences that have prepared you for the challenge of graduate school, here are some general questions to think about:

      • Why this specific program? What do you want to do academically and professionally? What specific issues or concepts in the field are you interested in exploring and in what ways do you want to work through these issues?
      • Describe how your interest in the field developed and how you have engaged meaningfully in the field to explore your interests.
      • Emphasize how specific learning and professional experiences have inspired and motivated your desire for continued education.
      • Mention special skills you possess that will assist you in graduate studies such as technical skills, research methodologies, and unique experiences not elaborated in your resume.
      • Highlight any experiences that demonstrate your initiative to develop ideas and solutions, the capacity to work through problems independently and collaboratively, and the determination to reach your goals.

      Master’s degree statements are generally 1-2 pages. Doctoral statements are generally 3-5 pages. Both should be double-spaced. Some programs may also have specific questions and prompts they would like you to address. We encourage you to review program pages to align your statement with the program/faculty match.

      Admissions committees use your statement of purpose, along with other evidence, to determine whether your goals are well-matched with our programs.

      Personal History Statement (Optional)

      While optional, you can add to your application by submitting a personal history statement with each application. This statement should address your intellectual growth and development, inclusive of and beyond your academic goals. Speak to topics like:

      • Educational, cultural and economic opportunities and disadvantages you've experienced
      • Ways these experiences affected the development of your special interests, career plans and future goals.

      Statements should be no longer than two pages long. And while there are no standard formatting requirements, we encourage double-spaced text with a legible font.

      Writing sample (Doctoral only)

      Doctoral candidates must submit one sample of scholarly writing.  The Writing Sample is your best representation of graduate level writing. Typically, students will submit a research paper, article, or thesis from a previous program of study to represent their academic writing. Since these documents come in all sorts of formats, there is no standard guideline for submission, other than sticking within a suggested 10-12 page limit. Students are welcome to submit a portion of their document to fit within the suggested page limit.

      If you do not have a writing sample some suggestions for a new writing sample might include a thesis abstract, peer-reviewed article written, research paper, literature review, a book review or report, etc.

      1. Gather all required documents
      2. Visit the Graduate School website
      3. Log into your account or create a new profile if you are a first-time applicant
      4. Complete all steps in application process and upload your documents
      5. Pay the nonrefundable $90 application fee
        • You may request a fee waiver during the application process
      6. Submit your application

      When completing your application, you will select 

      • Ph.D. applicants: Education - Seattle (PhD - Curriculum & Instruction) and then the Math or Science interest.

      Here is our general timeline for decisions. Have questions about the process? Visit our graduate admissions page.

      Step 1: Application processing

      • Within 7 business days after the deadline, we will check if your application if fully complete
      • We will email you whether your application is complete or incomplete
      • If your application is missing anything, you will have a short amount of time submit these items
      • You can also log into the online application and check your status and see any missing items

      Step 2: Application review

      • Committees begin reviewing applications about three weeks after the deadline
      • You will receiving an email when your application has entered the review phase

      Step 3: Decision notification

      • The final decision will be emailed to you
      • Your status will also be updated in the online application

      We value and welcoming applications from international students! If you are applying from outside the United States, there are additional requirements and application materials.

      Prior degree requirements
      • At minimum, you must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree (a four-year degree from an institution of recognized standing)
      • Evaluation of your degree will be based on:
        • The national system of education in the foreign country
        • The type of institution
        • The field of study and level of studies completed
      Transcripts
      • If a transcript is in English, you can upload the transcript in the online application.
      • If the degree is on a separate certificate, you will need to upload this as well. An evaluation from a 3rd party is not needed for this.
      • All transcripts and degree conferral documents that are in a language other than English must be accompanied by certified English translation and must be in the same format as the original(s).
      English language proficiency

      Per UW Graduate School policy, you must submit a demonstration of English language proficiency if your native language is not English and you did not earn a degree in one of the following countries:

      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
      • Bahamas
      • Canada
      • Ireland
      • Jamaica
      • New Zealand
      • Singapore
      • South Africa
      • Trinidad and Tobago

      The following tests are accepted if the test was taken fewer than two years ago:

      • TOEFL
        • Minimum score: 80
        • Recommended score: 92+
        • The UW's 4-digit code is 4854
      • IELTS
        • You must request from the center where you took the test that your scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system (E-TRF) to the following address:
          • University of Washington All Campuses, Organisation ID 365, Undergrad & Graduate Admis, Box 355850, Seattle, WA, 98105, United States of America
        • Minimum score: 6.5
        • Recommended score: 7.0+
        • School information for submission:
          University of Washington, All Campuses
          Undergraduate & Graduate Admission
          Box 355850
          Seattle, WA 98195
      • Duolingo
        • Minimum score: 105
        • Recommended score: 125+
        • Follow the instructions on the Duolingo website to submit your scores
      Financial ability

      If you apply and are offered admission to UW, you will need to submit a statement of financial ability.

      Costs and funding

        We are a tuition-based program. Estimated tuition rates are based on your residency: 

        • Washington state residents: $19,584 per year
        • Out-of-state students: $35,352 per year

        Estimates are subject to change and may differ due to course load and summer quarter enrollment. Estimates include building fees, technology fees, U-Pass, etc. Additional program-specific fees are not included in this estimate.

        View the UW tuition dashboard →
        Visit the Office of Planning & Budgeting →

        Federal financial aid is available for students. Visit the UW Financial Aid website for information and resources. The College of Education also provides scholarship and other funding opportunities.

        Graduate students can be awarded $2,000 - $5,000 if they are earning their M.Ed, Ed.S, Ed.D or Ph.D through a College of Education program.

        Program Faculty

        Associate Professor
        Professor
        Professor
        Associate Professor
        Associate Professor

        Program Affiliated Faculty

        Teaching Associate