Top Program for Curriculum and Instruction in Science Education

[Shinobiendo]

I'm currently making the decision on where to go next year. I've been accepted to the following programs:

1)MSU

2)NYU

3)UT Austin

4)UMICH

MSU is offering funding for 5 years and has an amazing faculty in the area I'm interested with. NYU is offering a bit more money but its for 4 years in addition to the $15k for the dissertation. I haven't found a ranking list specifically geared towards Science Education so the decision is a bit difficult. I'm still gathering information but if you have an opinion please feel free to join the conversation.

Thanks in advance.

[wildviolet]

You're right, there is no ranking for Science Ed, so it's a bit more difficult than other fields in Education. I''m having the same problems you are... I think I'm going to approach it holistically. In order of importance, I'm going to consider:

1. Reputation of adviser

2. Research fit

3. Relationship with adviser

4. Funding

5. Post-grad positions of recent graduates

6. Location

7. Overall ranking of School of Education

I would suggest contacting recent grads of the programs--they can offer a lot of insight into the program and the amount and type of professional support you will be able to get from the faculty.

IMO, UMich didn't look so good to me since Joe Kracjick left it for MSU. NYU now has Okhee Lee, who is doing great stuff with science and English language learners. I cited a lot of her work in my MS thesis. (By the way, her adviser was Andy Anderson at MSU). So, do your research! The Internet is an amazing research tool.

[SeriousSillyPutty]

I don't have any science ed stats, but I am going to put a biased plug in for Michigan State anyway.

I did my physics undergrad there, so I didn't have much interaction with the college of ed., but I had a great experience at MSU. There's a lot of top-notch research going on in the college of Natural Science, and in my experience there were a lot of professors that actually cared about teaching. There are also a number of science outreach programs hosted by the school. This would all suggest good opportunities for collaboration.

I really like the community at Michigan State. For undergrads, MSU and U of M are always compared, and I would put it this way: The University of Michigan is a "better school", but Michigan State is a better place. That is, because there is a larger percentage of the population that's not from the "upper crust", there's a bit more balance and I think people are nicer. The campus is HUGE, but is all contained in one place. Because it's so big, the main library is open 24/7 and coffee shops abound.

Plus, most importantly, Michigan State makes its own ice cream (courtesy its own cows), and I doubt the other schools do that. (So if you visit, make sure they take you to the Dairy Store; they will, if the want to woo you.) I recommend sesquicentennial swirl.

Good luck on your decision making!

[SeriousSillyPutty]

Also, compare cost of living when comparing funding. South-central Michigan isn't as expensive as NY, so your stipend should go farther. :-)