Advising Guide for Study Abroad in
MIDDLE SCIENCE EDUCATION
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GENERAL PLANNING TIPS FOR MIDDLE SCIENCE EDUCATION
- Start planning for your study abroad experience early. You can take admission requirements, science content, and teacher education courses abroad and still stay on track for graduation.
- Study abroad is a great way to satisfy your science content and/or admission requirement courses. Therefore, it is a good idea to reserve some of those classes to take overseas.
- Summer options: Summer is a great time to take science content and admission requirements. You could also participate in a unique field experience through one of the summer teaching programs.
- Scholarships are available for study abroad both through the KU Office of Study Abroad and national organizations. Research your opportunities early.
- U.S. Specific Courses: Courses that include special education content (SPED) are based on United States law, so you should plan to take these courses at KU. In addition, the courses during your student teaching semesters will include field work and practicum requirements, thus these must be taken at KU as well. (C&T 489, C&T 490, C&T 495, C&T 544, ELPS 537, EPSY 520)
WHEN TO GO
Sample Study Abroad Graduation Plan for Middle Science Education (at Macquarie)
Sample Study Abroad Graduation Plan for Middle Level Science Education (at Wollongong)
Freshman
- Schedule a meeting with an education advisor during your first semester at KU to discuss your four year plan and identify specific courses as well as specific timing opportunities for your study abroad experience. If you wish to take teacher education courses abroad for a full semester, you will need to follow a specific pre-determined study abroad 4-year graduation plan, in which you will study abroad in Australia during the fall semester of your junior year. Early planning starting your freshman year is vital. If you wish to take other courses abroad, such as your science content or admission requirements, there is a little more flexibility with your graduation plan, and you will study abroad earlier -- during late freshman or early sophomore year.
- After you've met with your academic advisor, continue your program research by visiting the KU Office of Study Abroad Info Center in Lippincott Hall. Study abroad peer advisors can help you to identify suitable study abroad options based upon the information you received from your advisor.
- Studying abroad usually requires two letters of recommendation, so it's good to start identifying individuals who can speak to your academic qualifications as well as your ability to be successful during an international experience.
Sophomore
- There are both summer and full semester study abroad programs that offer admission requirement and science content courses. The best time to pursue these programs is the summer after your freshman or sophomore year or fall semester of your sophomore year. The application deadline for summer and fall programs is March 1st.
- Some admission requirement and science content courses commonly offered abroad include BIOL 150, BIOL 152, CHEM 130, CHEM 135, GEOL 101, PHSX 114, PHSX 115, POLS 110, POLS 150, PSYC 104, and SOC 130.
Junior
- The ideal time for Middle Science Education students to study teacher education courses abroad is the fall semester of junior year. The application deadline for fall programs is March 1st,
- There is a limited degree of flexibility with your course sequencing during this time. If you need an education class (C&T, ELPS, EPSY, SPED) that is not available through your study abroad program and only offered at KU during the semester you are abroad, the School of Education is usually willing to work with you in arranging access to the course via Skype, Lecture Capture, or some other technology.
- Some junior level Teacher Education courses that are commonly offered abroad include: C&T 331, C&T 448, ELPS 301, EPSY 306, and EPSY 456.
Senior
- Senior year is not a good time to study abroad for Middle Science Education students because of your student teaching requirements.
- There are a couple of senior level Teacher Education courses available overseas (C&T 448 and EPSY 456), so you may want to plan on taking these early during your junior year while abroad.
COURSES AND CREDIT
- KU faculty have already pre-approved a number of education, math and science courses abroad. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Equivalency Database.
- If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.
RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE SCIENCE EDUCATION
Programs Offering Admission Reqt and/or Science Content Courses
Korea University - South Korea
Recommended Timing: Summer - after freshman or sophomore year
Sample Courses: Calculus I, Calculus II, Critical Thinking and Writing, General Chemistry I, Intro to American Politics, Intro to Comparative Politics, Introductory Physics I, Intro to Psychology, Science and Science Research 300+
University College Cork - Ireland
Recommended Timing: Fall semester - sophomore year
Sample Courses: Calculus, Cells Biomolecules Genetics and Evolution, Introductory Physics I, Introduction to Geology, Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals, Psychology as Science, Science and Science Research 300+, various Non-Western Social Science courses
Programs Offering Teacher Education Courses
Macquarie University - Australia
Recommended Timing: Fall semester - junior year
Sample Courses: C&T 331, EPSY 306, EPSY 456, Science elective 300+
University of Wollongong - Australia
Recommended Timing: Fall semester - junior year
Sample Courses: C&T 331, C&T 448, EPSY 456, Science elective 300+
Programs Offering Teaching Experience
These programs may count for KU Core Goal 4.2. Recommended for summer after sophomore or junior year.
Education Majors: A Cross-Cultural Experience in Carpi - Italy
Education Teach Abroad - India
