APU Kellogg Campus
Spring Creek Farm
Palmer, AK
~Center for the Study of Nature and Sustainable Living~
MSOEE Program
Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education
At Alaska Pacific University we are excited to offer our new Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education (MSOEE) program. This program is the only one of its kind in Alaska and holds true to APU's experiential hands on philosophy. As an MSOEE student, you will learn about the field of Outdoor and Environmental Education by immersing yourself in it.
The MSOEE program will provide traditional graduate students training in outdoor and environmental education literacy, pedagogy, and programming using APU's active learning model. The 36 credit degree program aims to develop graduate level competencies by offering three semesters of intense, hands on education utilizing the Kellogg and APU Campuses. Students sill finish their degree by completing a thesis at either the Anchorage or Palmer campus.
Admissions
The requirements for admission to the MSOEE program are as follows:
- Application and Application Fee. Complete the graduate application form and send it to the Office of Admissions along with $25 application fee.
- Official Transcripts. Request official transcripts be sent from all colleges or universities you have attended. Transcripts may be sent directly to admissions. If you have transcripts mailed to you, they will arrive in a sealed envelope with an official signature. Do not open this envelope. Send sealed envelope, along with any additional information you need to send to the Office of Admissions.
- Letters of recommendation. Submit three current letters of recommendation, using the Recommendation Forms in the admissions packet.
- Résumé. Submit a current résumé.
- Essay. Write and submit a 500-word essay outlining your motivation for seeking the Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education Degree. Include your professional interests and career goals.
- Standardized Test. Submit scores from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test which are no more than four years old. Alaska Pacific's MAT reporting code is 1841, GRE reporting code is 4201.
- International Students. Applicants must complete additional materials outlined in the Supplemental Application for International Admission. Please note that in most cases, the application deadlines for international students are earlier than those for U.S. applicants.
- Application Deadline. July 1st for Fall semester, November 1st for Spring semester.
Prerequisites:
At least 12 semester credit hours of science or natural history courses at the undergraduate level.
Required courses:
Course Descriptions
OEE 605 The Science Literacy Of Outdoor And Environmental Education (3)
This course will provide a wide variety of outdoor and environmental curricula offered in Alaska through field trips, hands-on training, and readings on their history, philosophy, methods, and issues. Students will incorporate natural history and science into curricula. The course will also explore certification and training options for the students enrolled in the Outdoor and Environmental Education graduate program.
OEE 607 Teaching Science In The Outdoors (3)
This course will cover in detail the theories and methods used in outdoor and environmental education.
Students will learn to integrate the natural sciences into standard outdoor and environmental teaching methods. The emphasis is on practical techniques utilized in both formal and non-formal education in an environmental context.
OEE 609 Assessment Of Outdoor And Environmental Education (3)
This course will focus on the assessment and evaluation of environmental and outdoor education programs, curricula, and materials by using formal measures (e.g., rubrics and standardized tests) as well as informal observational techniques. Emphasis will be on the design of assessment and evaluation tools used to measure outcomes of environmental and outdoor education programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
OEE 611 Curriculum Design For Experiential Educators (1-9)
This course will explore the role of the curriculum design as a foundation of successful outdoor and environmental education by making students familiar with the educational materials and curricula that are offered nationally and locally. Focus will be on students' ability to design their own curriculum and to adapt it to different audiences.
OEE 680 Directed Study (1-3)
Designed for students wishing to learn about and experience new topics not available in regular scheduled classes.
OEE 681 Thesis Research (1-9)
Students will study an area of their interest in outdoor and environmental education, developing a research question, collecting, compiling, and analyzing data, and writing a professional paper summarizing their thesis. Work will be supervised by a thesis committee with a presentation and defense of work, and approval of thesis before graduation.
OEE 685 Practicum (3)
This course involves supervised fieldwork in a professional setting with emphasis on organizing, leading, and assessing outdoor and environmental education programs. Students will work with professional organizations that deliver curriculum, assisting them with learning organizational and teaching techniques, and developing project and research proposals.
OEE 692 Special Topics (1-3)
Designed for faculty and students wishing to learn and experience new topics not available in regularly scheduled classes.
For more information or to bring a group out contact:
Steve Rubinstein
Instructor of Outdoor Studies
Director, Master of Science in Outdoor Environmental Education
907-746-2700
srubinstein@alaskapacific.edu
This website is a product of Active Learning. Content by Laura Willoughby.
