Pedagogical Readiness Oversight for Future Educators in STEM Subjects (PROFESS)

Faculty careers are desirable to many graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), yet few STEM graduate trainees are provided with formal opportunities for career development related to academic or other career outcomes. However, it has been demonstrated that engaging in teaching in conjunction with research can promote graduate students skills relevant to research, without increasing the time to graduation. Drexel University addressed the need to develop mechanisms to train STEM graduate students to effectively teach undergraduate students. This project developed and tested a new model of graduate education that will enable students to train in educational methods as part of their graduate career and earn an additional advanced degree in STEM education.

PROFESS Program Structure:
The PROFESS program offered a graduate minor in Undergraduate STEM Education, a MS in Undergraduate STEM Education, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in STEM Undergraduate Education. Students also have the opportunity to take additional coursework and internship opportunities that allow them to pursue the MS in Undergraduate STEM Education concurrent with their PhD in a STEM discipline.

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> Visit Drexel’s Center for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Excellence page