Advanced Professional Certificate in Science in Education
Online Program

Leads to endorsement in multiple states

Lesley University's online Advanced Professional Certificate in Science in Education, which meets endorsement requirements in multiple US states, is designed for classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, and instructional resource persons responsible for science education in grades 1-8. The program consists of seven courses, of which four are required and three may be chosen according to the student's needs and interests or to meet state endorsement/second license requirements. Coursework encourages students to take a hands-on, interactive approach to teaching science. The program may be used on its own or as a specialization to fulfill some of the coursework requirements of the M.Ed. Individually Designed Program for Educators.

Please note: In certain states, a student may receive an endorsement/second license by completing the 21-credit program below.  It is important to check with your teacher licensing office, as additional steps may be necessary in order to meet state requirements. For more information on this process, please visit the state pages at the National Center for Teachers, Counselors, and School Leaders.

Prerequisite: Initial Teacher License or signed non-licensure agreement

Science Content Course Descriptions

CNSCI 5100 Introduction to Physical Science - In this introductory course on science inquiry participants investigate common everyday phenomena. This course invites participants to “uncover” the complexity of a simple glass of water. They observe physical processes at play in this familiar system and develop scientific "habits of mind." Participants see how scientific principles can be applied to understanding the world around us. The following key physical science concepts are explored: density, displacement, buoyancy, melting, freezing, equilibrium, phase changes and energy transfers.

CNSCI 6102 Physics of Forces and Motion - Physics is a science of the fundamental processes of nature involving observation, experimentation and theory.  Participants build their understanding of mechanical physics concepts and principles through guided inquiry. They investigate motion, forces, momentum, energy and pressure through observation, hands-on experimentation, simulation, video, graphical representations and discussions. Participants apply their new understanding to explaining commonplace physical phenomena.

CNSCI 6100 Biology Explorations in Variation, Diversity, and Adaptation - This course focuses on the biology of grasses, with hands-on investigations of germination and growth, adaptation, co-evolution between grasses and grazers, bio-geography, the domestication of grasses and variation and natural selection. Participants extend their understanding of key biological concepts through inquiry. They investigate various aspects of biological adaptation and apply their new understandings to the real world – both locally and globally.

CNSCI 6101 Earth Science From a New Perspective - This course focuses on concepts central to Earth Science. Participants investigate the Nile River, with inquiry-based investigations of drainage networks, stream flow dynamics, flooding, interaction of climate and the river system, and interaction of the river system and land formations. They learn to use modeling, visualization and analysis tools to investigate the Earth system. This includes the use of data from satellite photographs, maps, boring logs, and stratigraphy, along with computer and physical modeling.

CNSCI 7100 Ecology: Organisms, Nutrients, and Environment - The ecology course focuses on the flows of nutrients in ecosystems. Participants investigate aspects of nutrient flows with hands-on studies of the decomposition cycle. They apply ecological concepts to the real world –locally (backyard studies) and globally (satellite data). Participants conduct inquiry-based investigations of plant primary productivity, energy and carbon cycles, decomposition, and related concepts, using a combination of lab and field studies, and satellite images to build data-driven explanations and models of these phenomena.

CNSCI 7101 Engineering: From Science to Design - This course introduces participants to engineering design. The course focuses on the design of structures to resist earthquakes, with investigations of earthquakes, soil and structure response to earthquakes, structural damage in earthquakes, and seismic reinforcement of structures. Participants investigate case studies of earthquakes, and design and build structural models and use a shake table to test them. In their work they explore the relation between design technology and science, with emphasis on forces and motion in physics and earthquakes in Earth science. Through the use of technology and design, participants deepen analytical and problem solving skills.

CNSCI 5101 Investigations in Space Science - This course focuses on the study of the Universe-the totality of all space, time, matter, and energy.  The organization of course content will take an “Earth Out” approach by studying the relatively familiar solar system before the discussion of stars and galaxies. Nature offers no greater splendor than the starry sky on a clear, dark night.  Participants will make several “real time” observations that will extend over the duration of the course, such as: a moon journal, a sun journal, and seasonal star charts.  They will also learn to use online resources, such as Google Sky, NASA resources, and numerous video clips to enhance their learning of space science concepts. The following topics will be explored: the history and tools of astronomy, the solar system, the Sun and stellar evolution, and Cosmology- the fate of the universe.

[back to top]

CNSCI 6104 Investigations in Particles, Fields and Waves - Participants develop their understanding of the physics of fields and waves through guided inquiry. They investigate electricity, magnetism, sound, waves and light through observation, hands-on experimentation, simulation, video, graphical representations and discussions. Participants apply their understanding of the physics that lay beyond the range of our senses to everyday occurrences and devices.

[back to top]