Course Overview!

The Master of Arts in Education in Physics at Ball State University is designed for those pursuing careers as secondary school physics or astronomy teachers. The program focuses on providing powerful resources, research-oriented training, and individualized attention. Students will enhance their teaching skills through research projects in condensed matter, nuclear physics, medical physics, nanoscience, nanomaterials, high energy/particle physics, and physics education. The program is among the nation's top physics departments with strong professional master's degree programs. It bridges the gap between college experience and a career in science or science education.

Course Structure

The program comprises 30 credit hours. This includes 12-18 credits in physics, applied physics, and astronomy courses, approved by the department; 9 credits in professional education courses; and a 3-credit research paper in physics, physics education, astronomy, or astronomy education. Students also have opportunities for teaching assistantships and employment at Ball State's Office of Information Technology. Research opportunities are abundant, focusing on various areas like astronomy and astrophysics, computational nanoscience, condensed matter physics, medical physics, nanomaterials and devices, nuclear and radiation physics, particle physics, and physics education. Students utilize state-of-the-art facilities, including a supercomputing cluster and research-grade telescopes via the SARA consortium.