Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Physics

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

The BA in Communication can be tailored to meet your personal, professional or academic goals. You can pursue a general communication degree or specialize in one of four emphasis areas: interpersonal communication; mass communication; strategic communication or visual communication. Students have the opportunity to earn additional credentials through undergraduate certificates in Health Communication, Media Production and Public Relations.

Throughout this program, students will explore how messages are constructed, delivered and perceived by audiences. Whether the intent is to inform, influence or entertain, students will use research and theory to improve message effectiveness and achieve desired outcomes.

The MA in Economics is specifically designed for those seeking to work as professional economists. Students acquire knowledge and a versatile set of skills that are highly valued in the workplace. A unique feature of the program is the opportunity to take a large number of courses in applied economics and data analysis and to gain knowledge through individual and group projects.

The Business Administration degree offers an option to earn a general business degree. This 120-credit-hour program requires that at least 48-credit hours be filled with business courses including accounting, information systems concepts, business analytics and statistics, supply chain management, finance, management, marketing and more. Once you’ve completed your required courses, you can customize your degree with business electives, even selecting a minor, if you choose.

Business students learn and collaborate in a state-of-the-art facility outfitted with smart classrooms containing all the latest teaching technology, cutting edge seminar rooms, group learning environments, community spaces and a real-time stock ticker. The college also offers frequent career fairs, including career-specific opportunities and internships. In addition, faculty engage students in service learning opportunities which provide value and help transform lives in the surrounding communities.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Throughout the program, students will be exposed to core business functions and contemporary business administration frameworks needed to be successful in a variety of fields. Students will be prepared to enter the workforce and succeed locally or globally across a wide range of business professions.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in business and financial operations occupations will grow five percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. This, paired with salaries that are higher than the median average, makes a career in business very inviting and rewarding.

The Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology are offered as both a BA and a BS. The BA focuses on qualitative tools like interviews, stories and community engagement while the BS focuses on quantitative research tools like surveys, statistics and data analysis. Both degrees answer the critical question “What is this all about?” Students may also select from one of the following minors or emphasis areas: gender studies, gerontology, leadership, urban studies and veterans studies.

An undergraduate degree in sociology is excellent preparation for graduate work in sociology or for entry level positions in business, social service and government worlds. Sociologists are found as teachers, researchers, employees of government agencies, research bureaus, welfare agencies and large companies. This social science based concentration provides excellent training for careers in law, education, medicine, social work and counseling.

The BS in Physics with an Emphasis in Biophysics is designed to prepare students for a professional career in biophysics, biological physics or a related interdisciplinary field; for graduate studies in biophysics, biological physics, or a related interdisciplinary field; for training as a medical physicist; or for professional training such as medical school. Other emphasis areas offered include: Astrophysics; Engineering Physics; and General Physics.

The M. Ed. Program in Special Education explores important core knowledge in Special Education. The program's primary goal is to empower professionals as thoughtful educators who use best practices when assisting and empowering students with disabilities. Research and data-based decision-making are emphasized throughout the program. Graduate students will apply learned and evaluated research into practice in their courses, and learn to analyze multiple types of assessment data. The M.Ed. Program in Special Education consists of an initial required core of courses, a concentration area corresponding to the chosen emphasis area, and a capstone or exit course block.

When graduate students are accepted into the program, their transcripts may be reviewed, as necessary,  to identify compliance with state education certification guidelines. Students who wish to be certified in the education of children with cross-categorical disabilities will be required to fulfill general certification requirements, as well as graduate coursework. Upon completion of this advanced degree, professionals will have developed an in-depth knowledge-base related to

• Various learning contexts within and outside of the school setting
• The multiple influences on educational practices in schools
• The characteristics and instructional needs of learners with disabilities
• Assessment strategies for monitoring instruction
• Instructional best practices
• Using research to inform practice in the classroom
• Diversity awareness
• Contexts that affect student learning
• The powerful interactions between setting events and specific learner outcomes
• A life-perspective of students with exceptional learning needs, both young children who transition into kindergarten and those transitioning into adulthood.

The BES, with an emphasis in Exercise Science and Wellness, builds on science and mathematics courses in the general education requirements with courses on anatomy & physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, safety and emergency care, physical activity program design, nutrition and adult exercise leadership. You’ll be prepared to sit for certification examinations, such as those offered by the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of American and the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science is a general post-baccalaureate degree that gives students a broad understanding of political science through intensive study of several subfields within the discipline. The Department’s Master’s program is also designed to give students a firm grounding in scientific-based inquiry into problems in politics. Students learn how institutional design, economic and cultural factors shape the distribution of power and patterns of cooperation and conflict in society within and outside of government. The M.A. degree in Political Science allows students to develop a deeper understanding of political ideas and institutions, more sophisticated research skills, a better grasp of governments abroad, and a broader knowledge of international politics.

The master’s degree in Elementary Education is an accredited program appropriate for elementary teachers, specialists, department chairpersons, and those who work in informal learning or international educational settings. Candidates choose electives that will support their personal growth and development as an educational leader to impact the communities with which they work.

Diverse candidates will engage in a learner-centered environment committed to the success of historically marginalized and diverse students, research, and community engagement. Within diverse education settings, candidates will: advance pedagogical knowledge, recognize inequalities in educational opportunity, design differentiated assessments to inform practice, critically examine professional practice, and demonstrate commitment to ethical professional practice.  

It is important that both candidates and advisors plan ahead to ensure courses are taken when they are offered in the schedule. Programs must be planned with an academic advisor and meet the approval of the faculty advisor, adhering to the College of Education and UMSL Graduate School policies.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Continually and systematically reflect on professional growth to enhance student learning.
• Integrate technology to create meaningful student learning within the context of a global digital society.
• Apply advanced content and pedagogical knowledge to create authentic and deep learning experiences.
• Extend learning science principles to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum based on learning standards.
• Create and foster effective working relationships with students, school colleagues, families, and community members to enhance student learning and well-being.
• Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
• Utilize equitable frameworks and inclusive practices to expertly create a variety of instructional and assessment opportunities adapted to diverse learners to encourage all students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

The BS in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in English, prepares students to teach in secondary school settings, grades 9-12. This program requires the selection and completion of required coursework in English and includes field and practicum experiences in high school settings, culminating in Missouri teacher certification.

This program coordinates with the Department of English. Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the BA degree in English; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification.