2006–2007 - Florida Institute of Technology

A minimum of two additional graduate education courses
(6 credit hours) and six credit hours of Thesis (EDS 5999) are
required for the thesis option.
A minimum of three additional graduate education courses
(9 credit hours), three credit hours of electives and three credit
hours of Research (EDS 5081) are required for the nonthesis
option.
With departmental approval, up to six credit hours of senior-level
courses can be applied toward the master of science program.
Any schedule that would meet these requirements within a
seven-year period is acceptable. Any combination of part-time
and/or full-time semesters may be used, as well as any combination
of evening and summer courses. The following is an example
of a common schedule (nonthesis option):
FALL CREDITS
EDS 5095 Essentials of Educational Research .....................................3
Education Electives .............................................................6
Mathematics Elective ..........................................................3
12
SPRING
EDS 5070 Educational Statistics ..........................................................3
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education ......................................3
Education Elective ..............................................................3
Mathematics Elective ..........................................................3
12
SUMMER
EDS 5081 Research 1 ...........................................................................3
Mathematics Elective ..........................................................3
Elective ................................................................................3
9
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 33
Specialist in Education Degree Program
The primary emphasis of the specialist in education degree is on
the development of specific competencies needed in mathematics
education.
Admission Requirements
The applicant to the specialist in education program must hold a
master’s degree in mathematics or education, with mathematics
as the teaching area.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Graduate Information and Regulations section of
this catalog.
Degree Requirements
A candidate for the specialist in education degree must maintain
a grade point average of 3.0 or better in a 30-credit-hour program.
Although research methodologies are included in the curriculum,
no thesis is required. A final examination is given in the last
semester of enrollment by a three-member committee appointed
by the department head and approved by the Graduate School
office. A student can transfer up to 12 hours of graduate credit
from other approved institutions offering at least the specialist in
education degree.
Curriculum
Candidates for the specialist in education degree must complete
30 credit hours of course work beyond the master’s degree as
follows:
Current Research and Methodologies in Mathematics
Education (9 credit hours)
Must be taken at Florida Tech; exceptions may be considered only
through a written petition to be reviewed by the department’s graduate
faculty.
EDS 5070 Educational Statistics ..........................................................3
EDS 5095 Essentials of Educational Research .....................................3
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education ......................................3
Mathematics (9 credit hours)
The candidate must have earned a minimum of 21 master’s degreeeligible
credit hours in mathematics beyond the bachelor’s degree. These
credit hours include the nine specifically required for the specialist
degree and any other credit hours from approved post-baccalaureate
mathematics courses.
Education (9 credit hours)
Approved by the head of the department.
Electives (3 credit hours)
Each student chooses an elective to fit a particular certification and/or
interest area.
Doctoral Degree Programs
The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and doctor of education (Ed.D.)
programs are designed to provide increased competence in mathematics,
mathematics education and research. Recipients gain
the appropriate knowledge and skills for positions in college and
university mathematics education programs; teaching, administration
and supervisory posts in state and local school systems;
positions teaching mathematics in community colleges, liberal
arts colleges and introductory mathematics courses in universities;
and as research directors in mathematics education.
The primary difference between the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs
is in the focus of the dissertation work. The focus of the Ph.D. is
typically theoretical, while the focus of the Ed.D. is more applied
and intended for the practitioner. While Ph.D. dissertation
research is oriented for the student going into a university graduate
teaching and research setting, Ed.D. dissertation research is
oriented for the K–12 school or business/industry practitioner and
typically involves a practical field problem.
The two programs also differ in the requirement of two specialty
area courses in the Ed.D. These two courses are typically in
mathematics education, but may also be in science education,
instructional technology or environmental education.
Doctoral students interested in theory-based research should
consider the Ph.D. For those more interested in practical field
research, the Ed.D. would be more appropriate.
Admission Requirements (both programs)
An applicant to the doctoral program in mathematics education
must have a master’s degree in mathematics or mathematics education,
with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a
4.0 scale. At least three years’ teaching experience is also highly
recommended.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Graduate Information and Regulations section of
this catalog.
Degree Requirements (both programs)
A minimum of 48 credit hours beyond the master’s degree is
required to earn the doctoral degree. These credit hours include
24 credit hours of dissertation in addition to the required
course work.
College of Science–Mathematics Education 135