College of Science and Health > About > Centers & Institutes > STEM Center > About

About

The mission of the STEM Center is to provide leadership and service for the purpose of strengthening STEM education throughout Chicago.

We achieve this by developing an effective program of study, offering lectures and opportunities to a diverse group of students, and using the university’s unique strategic position as an academic institution in the center of a major urban area to support high quality primary and secondary STEM education for students through professional development of teachers.

DePaul University STEM Center
1110 W. Belden Avenue, Suite 403
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 325-4777

FAQ: General Questions

Our broad goal is best summed up in the mission statement listed above. Some specific initiatives which further our mission are as follows: the STEM Center runs the Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program, which offers science content courses specifically designed for in-service teachers. Additionally, as a founding member of the Algebra Initiative, we train CPS 8th-grade teachers in high school algebra. We also offer the Leading with Algebra professional development series for a select group of teacher leaders. The STEM Center houses a team of Math Coaches who work directly with CPS teachers, both in their respective schools and during professional development events. Our Undergraduate work includes: organizing the annual Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, and Technology Research Showcase and providing support for LSAMP, RSSP, SACNAS, and CAURS. The STEM Center also provides support and organization for the William J. Degutis Women in Health and Science Lecture Series, which launched in 2021.

The STEM Center is housed in the College of Science and Health. The STEM Studies academic department is very closely affiliated with and housed within the STEM Center.

The STEM Center is a great resource for undergraduates who are looking to maximize their time at DePaul. We help majors in the STEM disciplines register for and attend academic conferences, direct them towards summer internships, discuss graduate school options, support them in graduate school applications, and offer opportunities to serve as student representatives on conference and event boards. The best way to start a relationship with us is to drop by 1110 W. Belden Suite 403 in Lincoln Park Campus or to email Joelene Arndt-Lee at jarndtle@depaul.edu

STEM is a widely used acronym which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.


​FAQ: MSSE (Master of Science in Science Education)

The Master of Science in Science Education offers Chicagoland educators broad, content-based science curriculum to increase science mastery and prepare teachers for the Next Generation Science Standards. Students join a cohort of peers who progress together through a 12 course program.

Classes are held once a week in the evening during the academic year. Teachers take one course each quarter—fall, winter, and spring—each of which lasts 10 weeks. Teachers also typically enroll in two intensive courses during the summer. More information can be found here.

Teachers typically complete the program in 2 years.

Teachers wishing to earn a general science endorsement may use seven of the content courses from the program to fulfill that portion of the state requirement. Additional pedagogy courses would need to be taken either in the College of Education or another area institution.

Full-time teachers comprise a large majority of each MSSE cohort, since the program does not offer certification.  However, exceptions exist. If after reading about the MSSE on this site you are still unsure about the program’s fit to your circumstance, STEM Center staff is available to help determine the best course of action. We welcome email, phone, and in-person inquiries.

No. We welcome teachers from all Chicagoland schools.

Yes, this is possible. However, permission to enroll in the MSSE course(s) must be given by your COE advisor. Please check with the College of Education to make sure they will accept the course before registering.

FAQ: Undergraduate

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