K-12 Integrated STEM Education
Graduate Certificate
Residential Program
Inspire. Engage. Teach. STEM.
The K-12 Integrated STEM Education Grad Certificate allows students to advance their understanding of integrated STEM education approaches, learn how to design curriculum materials for integrated STEM education, and teach their disciplines using integrated STEM approaches.
This fifteen (15) credit program can be taken over three semesters. Students will be provided with a conceptual understanding of integrated K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and the philosophical underpinnings/nature of the disciplines of STEM.
What makes for a successful STEM teacher in education?
Purdue specific outcomes and program highlights:
- Distinguish yourself in the education industry with a superior credential from an institution with worldwide recognition and impact.
- Learn tools & highly relevant techniques for integrating STEM in K-12 schools.
- Advance and network with an experienced and motivated peer group for mutual support, team exercises, and enhanced learning.
This residential program has rolling admission. Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to the deadline in order for applications to be considered and reviewed. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” tab.
Application Deadlines
August 1 is the deadline for Fall applications.
May 1 is the deadline for Summer applications.
Program at a Glance
- Major/Department: Curriculum and Instruction
- Research Area: Science Education
- Degree Objective: K-12 Integrated STEM Education Graduate Certificate
- Program Delivery: Residential
- Does this program lead to licensure? *No, this is a non-licensure program
- Application Deadlines: August 1 (Fall), May 1 (Summer)
Request Information
Career Outlook
STEM careers have the potential to engage students in critical thinking, problem solving, practical literacy, creativity, and much more, every day. This engagement in turn helps students find careers that are interesting, challenging, and productive.
STEM education includes the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Teachers deliver STEM education across all grade levels, from preschools to post-doctorate, in a wide range of settings that include traditional classrooms, distance learning, and informal non-credit programs.
Let this program give you the credentials and the experience to make your own future bright.
Job Titles
- K-12 STEM Teacher
- Technology Teacher
- Computer Science Teacher
- High School Pre-engineering Teacher
- Math Teacher
- Algebra Teacher
- Geometry Teacher
- Science Teacher
- Biology Teacher
- Physics Teacher
- Life Science Teacher
- Chemistry Teacher
- High School Teacher
Courses
All courses have been designed by Purdue Faculty. Faculty have done research in the area of STEM Education and offer the most up to date pedagogy and methodology for today’s teachers.
The residential (on-campus) program offers:
- Current campus-based graduate students can earn the K-12 Integrated STEM Graduate Certificate
- All classes via the in-person versions of courses.
- Courses are 16 weeks
There are five courses for a total of 15 credit hours:
Required Courses
EDCI 53900: Introduction to K-12 Integrated STEM Education
3 credits
Offered Spring semesters
This foundational course will provide students with a conceptual understanding of integrated K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and the philosophical underpinnings/nature of the disciplines of STEM. Students will explore implications for teaching, learning, and teacher education through an evaluation of integrated approaches to STEM, national teaching standards and current research. This course also introduces integrated STEM pedagogies including project/problem-based (PBL), design-based, and inquiry-based approaches to teaching. Students learn to plan and create integrated STEM instruction for K-12 classrooms.
EDCI 55800: Integrated STEM Education Methods – Secondary
3 credits
Offered Fall semesters
This methods course will focus on operationalizing the theoretical pedagogical approaches to integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Agriculture (STEM) education. Students will collaboratively and cooperatively investigate, plan and deliver integrated learning experiences appropriate for secondary education. Course content will blend philosophical considerations with practical application. Undergraduate and graduate students in these areas are encouraged. Currently practicing teachers interested in integrated pedagogies are encouraged to participate and should contact the instructor.
Requisite: Must be taken after or concurrently with EDCI 53900 and a disciplinary methods course, or with instructor approval.
EDCI 55850: Introduction to Teaching Engineering and Technology Design in the Context of Integrated STEM
3 credits
Offered Fall semesters, odd-numbered years
In this course, students are introduced to engineering and technology design and examination of where and how best fits in the K-12 curriculum. Students learn how to use engineering and technology tools to design, develop, prototype, deliver and assess authentic integrated STEM artifacts and lessons utilizing engineering and technology design principles.
EDCI 55950: Engineering Design Practicum
3 credits
Offered Fall and Spring semesters
This practicum is an EDCI version of EPICS–a course in which graduate students will participate in the traditional EPICS course with an additional research component. EPICS is a service-learning design course in which teams of students from across campus work together on long-term projects that benefit the community. The students will engage in a small-scale research project with their project team. The students will study one aspect of design such as teamwork, problem identification, client communication, ideation, decision making, or a variety of other topics. The student will have 2 roles on their project team. They will be a researcher of their team and they also will have a role as a team member on the project. This will allow the student to learn about engineering design as well as understand one aspect of design from a research perspective.
Requisite: Must be taken concurrently with EDCI 59100 Introduction to Teaching Engineering and Technology Design in the Context of Integrated STEM.
Note: EDCI 55950 must be taken concurrently or before EDCI 55850
Electives
Choose one
3 credits
YDAE 54500/EDCI 59100: Teaching STEM Through Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Offered Spring semesters
This course focuses on the background and history of STEM movement and agricultural education, contemporary models, strategies, and justification for incorporation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts and practices into K-12 formal and informal agricultural education programs. The goal of the course is to help students develop knowledge about STEM integration and equip them with teaching knowledge and skills for designing K-12 lesson plans by using agriculture, food, and natural resources as context. Students will learn strategies that promote engagement in STEM activities in agricultural education.
EDCI 60500: Teaching Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Offered Spring semesters, odd-numbered years
This course focuses on teaching K-12 science through integrated STEM education approaches. It is an advanced level course; students learn how to design integrated STEM activities and integrate STEM into their science teaching. It is also in part a theoretical course; students learn about the nature of integrated STEM teaching, and ways to use theoretical knowledge of learners to guide their teaching. In addition, students explore and articulate current trends in the research, policy and practice of STEM education.
EDCI 69500: Internship in Integrated STEM Teaching
Fall and Spring semesters
A special course in K-12 integrated STEM, designed to provide practical field experience under professional supervision in selected situations related to the candidate’s area of specialization.
Admissions
A graduate application must be submitted and application fee paid (if applicable) by the application deadline. In addition, the materials listed under the Application Requirements section below must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and for the application to be reviewed for admission consideration. Please review the How to Apply section below before submitting an application.
Application Requirements
Here are the materials required for this application
- Transcripts (from all universities attended)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Graduate School
We encourage prospective students to submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.
How to Apply
When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Curriculum and Instruction
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: Science Education
- Please select a Degree Objective: K-12 Integrated STEM Education Graduate Certificate
- Primary Course Delivery: Residential
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the courses taught?
All courses are taught in-person on campus.
How many credit hours to receive the graduate certificate?
15 credit hours
How long are the courses?
16 weeks
Can you take online and residential courses in combination?
The online program and the residential programs have different course requirements. Please select the best option for you (residential or online). If you need to adjust once you start the program, please consult your advisor.
This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.
Faculty
