Introduction to Industrial/Technology Education
Exciting changes are taking place in the world around us. As educators, we must be prepared to meet the challenge of providing students with an understanding of technology and its role in our culture. The University of Wisconsin-Stout Master of Science Degree in Industrial/Technology Education works to meet that challenge by producing leaders of education in schools and industry.
Program Description
The Industrial/Technology Education program was one of the first graduate programs to be established at Stout more than 50 years ago. The quality of its graduates is recognized worldwide. Its course work in educational theory and practice as well as its technical opportunities have served as a platform for professional growth for hundreds of graduates who teach or hold other professional positions. In fact, many College of Technology, Engineering and Management faculty are graduates of the program. Course work provides an opportunity to associate with faculty members who are renowned leaders in technology education and experts in their technical content areas.
Students list flexibility as the number one selling point of the program. This is especially important since the program draws students from a variety of backgrounds to prepare them for multiple career choices. Three categories of students are generally served by this graduate program. They are:
- Persons with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Industrial or Technology Education who are presently teaching in a junior or senior high school or a post-secondary institution. In this case, the program would be a continuation of their undergraduate degree with updates in both technology and teaching strategies, while adding a leadership dimension.
- Certified teachers in other academic areas who would like to develop skills in technology and would like to be certified to teach technology education. Candidates will complete professional and technical requirements, some of which may be applied toward the 30 credits required for the master's degree, and complete a half semester of student teaching.
- Persons with a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree in a non-education field will receive both the technical and educational background needed to be a certified teacher. Candidates must complete 43 credits of undergraduate technical course work (or equivalent) and complete one full semester of student teaching. Many of the professional and technical requirements may be applied toward the 30 credits for the master's degree.
Degree Requirements
The Industrial/Technology Education master's degree requires a total of 30 credits for completion. Students entering the program will select course work in the areas of philosophy and psychology, curriculum, facilitation and management of learning, and evaluation. A technical research experience is also required in which a graduate student works one-on-one with a faculty member to solve a technical problem in one of Stout's advanced technology labs. A two-credit thesis (Plan B) or six-credit thesis (Plan A) is also part of the program.
Faculty and Facilities
The technology education faculty members have a wide variety of both theoretical and practical experiences. The primary function of the faculty is teaching, which makes them accessible to students for academic and personal consultation. However, instruction is based on research and service to the profession. Class sizes are limited. A low student-to-teacher ratio provides each student the opportunity for personal attention.
Stout maintains state-of-the-art laboratories to support both education and technology programs. Computer laboratories are utilized for classroom management and instruction, as well as for computer-aided design and manufacturing. Other specialized labs are updated with equipment similar to that found in work place settings. Some examples include packaging, building construction, robotics, graphic arts, and communications technology.
Employment Opportunities
Most graduates of this program are employed as teachers at the junior, middle, high school or post-secondary level. Some pursue positions as curriculum leaders and school administrators. Others utilize their educational and technical expertise in positions with business and industry as industrial trainers. The flexibility of the program and the excellence of Stout's faculty open the doors to a world of occupational opportunities.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted with full status to this program, the applicant must hold an appropriate bachelor's degree from an accredited college, and have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75. Applicants who hold a degree in a non-education field may follow the teacher certification track in the program. Some may want to pursue the program but not choose to be certified as a teacher.
Transfer of Credits
Up to 10 credits may be transferred in from an accredited graduate school at another university. However, these credits must fit within the scope of the program.
Related Programs
Graduates of this program may wish to pursue advanced studies with the Education Specialist Degree in Career and Technical Education at Stout.