MS Physics Programs for Teachers?

[andymars]

Hello everyone! I have a BS in physics as well as an AZ teaching license and am currently teaching high school physics/math. I plan to get a master's in the next few years and would rather earn one in my content area than in education. I can't seem to find any programs that would allow me to work around my teaching schedule, though. Do any of you know anything about summer/evening/online graduate work? Does such a thing even exist or would I have to take time away from teaching to do this? Thanks for any replies!

 

[Astronuc]

Hello everyone! I have a BS in physics as well as an AZ teaching license and am currently teaching high school physics/math. I plan to get a master's in the next few years and would rather earn one in my content area than in education. I can't seem to find any programs that would allow me to work around my teaching schedule, though. Do any of you know anything about summer/evening/online graduate work? Does such a thing even exist or would I have to take time away from teaching to do this? Thanks for any replies!

Being in AZ, one might check with UA.

http://www.physics.arizona.edu/physics/people?page=teacher_prep
http://www.physics.arizona.edu/physics/graduate.php?page=ms_program

See if they have a program that can accommodate a teacher's schedule.

 

[skwissgaar]

Sort of (pretty much completely) off topic, but andymars do you enjoy teaching physics? Reason I ask is I'm about half through my bachelors in physics with a math minor and was thinking about teaching at the high school level.

Any chance you might be able to give me some insight?

 

[andymars]

I was able to find this program: http://physics.asu.edu/graduate/mns
It's not an MS program, but it does have some advanced physics classes as well as teaching methods classes. It's probably the best program I'm going to find. The only other one I've been able to find is an MS Physics program that has evening classes in Washington state.

As far as teaching goes, I love it. I'm actually teaching math right now trying to get the physics job at my school, but I'm happy either way. I did some tutoring along the way while I was in college and realized that I am a teacher at heart. If you're thinking about being a teacher, I'd recommend trying something like tutoring now and seeing how you like it.

 

[Stengah]

You could check out Northern Arizona University's MS in Applied Physics program. I think there is an emphasis option for teaching. Although you wouldn't be able to do it online, the program is funded (no tuition + stipend) if you teach a lab section for physics or astronomy. So you wouldn't actually be away from teaching.