Overview
The Department of Physics & Astronomy and the Department of STEAM Education have created this accelerated program to provide a seamless transition between undergraduate and graduate coursework for students wishing to pursue teacher certification in physics. The program will allow qualified students to complete both programs and earn their initial certification in five years.
Restricted Electives:
Choose at least 7 s.h. from any 300+ Physics course (maximum of 3 s.h. of Physics Research or 4 s.h. of Physics Learning Assistant), any 200+ Astronomy, (maximum of 3 s.h. of Astronomy Research), Geology, Materials Science, any 300+ Engineering, any 200+ Math, any 200+ Chemistry, any 200+ Computer Science, or Biology. Note: the 3 s.h. Research Course restriction is a total across both categories.
Requirements for Admission:
Applicants to the Accelerated Degree program will submit applications for admission to the graduate program in the fall semester of their sophomore year of the undergraduate program. Application requirements are as follows:
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework
- A complete online Rowan Global application, including a personal statement
- 2 recommendation forms
Upon reaching senior standing, students must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to continue in the accelerated degree program. Students also must have earned a grade of at least “C-” in all physics courses. If the minimum GPA and physics overall courses grades are not met, the student will be removed from the accelerated degree program and be placed in the regular B.A. in Physics program; they will be eligible to apply for readmission into the accelerated degree program upon earning a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students must also follow through with the prior noted application requirements. To ensure flexibility for students, they can apply through the spring of their junior year with the same requirements as indicated above. However, for those students who submit applications in their junior year, they will need to ensure that they address courses required to earn initial NJ certification to teach in the public schools: Adolescent Development (PSY 09210); Characteristics of Knowledge Acquisition (FNDS 21230) or Educational Psychology (PSY 22215); Health and Wellness (HLTH 00103) or a Biology course. Undergraduate benchmarks must also
be met by the end of their senior year. These are:
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- No grades lower than C-in overall physics courses.
- Completion of the following courses: SMED 60550: Schools & Society: Foundations for Secondary Teaching (3 credits) and STEM 60510 Teaching STEM in Diverse Settings (3 credits)
- Passing scores on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Reading-156; Writing-162; Math-150) or SAT, ACT, or GRE scores above the cut scores
- Passing score of 141 on Praxis II Physics: Content Knowledge (5265) and 152 on General Science Knowledge (5435) tests
Requirements for Graduation:
To graduate from the accelerated program students must have a 2.00 GPA per university guidelines for the B.A., then earn a 3.0 GPA and earn a “Basic” on all indicators of the Final Performance Evaluation in the Residency I and II courses.
Contingency for Students who do not Complete Master of Arts program: Students who choose not to complete
the Master’s portion of the program will still be eligible to earn the B.S. in Physics.
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