Bachelor of Arts in Physics (STEM)

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

The BS in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in Middle School Education, is a small, personalized program that combines the child-centered philosophy of elementary certification with a content specialization more typical of secondary certification. Middle school majors earn certification in one or more content areas for grades 5-9: math; science; communication arts or social studies.

Students gain skills and insights that can be applied as innovative educators, managers and directors, program planners and curriculum developers. You’ll have the opportunity to earn specific credentials, as needed, and to pursue academic minors related to your individual career goals.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to improve and enhance student learning; integrate technology to create meaningful student learning within the context of a global digital society; apply content and pedagogical knowledge to create authentic and deep learning experiences; use learning science principles to design, implement and evaluate curriculum based on learning standards; design and establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment that nurtures the intellectual, social and personal development of all students; and use equitable frameworks and inclusive practices to create a variety of instructional and assessment opportunities adapted to diverse learners to encourage all students’ critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills.

The BS in Information Systems & Technology is a 120-credit-hour program that requires 30-credit-hours of core businesses classes, 24-credit-hours of IST specific coursework, 6 hours of approved electives and 60-credit hours of non-business courses.

The core business classes include financial and managerial accounting, legal environment of business, information systems concepts, business analytics and statistics, financial management, management and organizational behavior and more. The IST required courses include managerial applications of object-oriented programming, information systems analysis, data networks and security, database management systems and information systems design.

The BS in Physics with an Emphasis in Astrophysics is designed to prepare students for a broad-based education in astrophysics with the experimental, observational and theoretical skills essential to practicing astronomers and astrophysicists. An undergraduate degree in astrophysics prepares students for both graduate study and professional careers in astronomy, atmospheric science, image processing, cosmology and instrumentation.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies provides a flexible, individualized program of study for the self-directed learner. Individual students work closely with professional advisors and faculty from different academic disciplines to design their individual degree proposal. Approved programs of study are well-designed, coherent, structured to meet the student’s unique educational goals and not readily available under any other UMSL degree program. Interdisciplinary Studies students have designed individualized majors in areas as varied as art therapy, gender studies, gerontology, international studies, nonprofit administration and more.

The master’s degree in Secondary Education is an accredited program appropriate for secondary teachers, specialists, department chairpersons, and those who work in informal learning or international educational settings. Candidates choose electives that will support their personal growth and development as an educational leader to impact the communities with which they work.

Diverse candidates will engage in a learner-centered environment committed to the success of historically marginalized and diverse students, research, and community engagement. Within diverse education settings, candidates will: advance pedagogical knowledge, recognize inequalities in educational opportunity, design differentiated assessments to inform practice, critically examine professional practice, and demonstrate commitment to ethical professional practice.  

It is important that both candidates and advisors plan ahead to ensure courses are taken when they are offered in the schedule. Programs must be planned with an academic advisor and meet the approval of the faculty advisor, adhering to the College of Education and UMSL Graduate School policies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Continually and systematically reflect on professional growth to enhance student learning.
• Integrate technology to create meaningful student learning within the context of a global digital society.
• Apply advanced content and pedagogical knowledge to create authentic and deep learning experiences.
• Extend learning science principles to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum based on learning standards.
• Create and foster effective working relationships with students, school colleagues, families, and community members to enhance student learning and well-being.
• Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
• Utilize equitable frameworks and inclusive practices to expertly create a variety of instructional and assessment opportunities adapted to diverse learners to encourage all students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

The BA in Psychology provides the foundation for further training in psychology at the graduate level, the background necessary for training in other fields such as the health professions, social work or counseling, and the liberal arts background necessary for entry-level positions in many fields such as business, communication, human services and mental health positions. Students may choose an area of concentration in graduate school preparation, child care and development, or devise an individual program.

The program is designed for students and professionals with diverse undergraduate backgrounds. MSIST students interact extensively with their peers as well as with industry executives in a carefully curated academic environment to gain a well-rounded perspective on the strategic role of IT in contemporary organizations. Students are able to customize their degree by choosing two four-course sequences that permit them to specialize in areas of interest to them. These specializations include Information Systems and Technology, Business Intelligence, Enterprise Systems Development, Information Security Management and Auditing, and Cybersecurity.

This program was designed with the busy working adult in mind. The program can be completed in 12 to 18 months. Flexible class schedules (day and evening, weekends, 8- or 16-week sessions and course delivery formats (in-person, blended and online) enable students to balance school, work and life.

The Master of Arts in Political Science is a general post-baccalaureate degree that gives students a broad understanding of political science and a firm grounding in scientific-based inquiry into problems in politics.

Students learn how institutional design and economic and cultural factors shape the distribution of power and patterns of cooperation and conflict in society within and outside of government.

Students master the postulating of cause-effect relationships, and the marshalling of evidence using quantitative or qualitative methods to test hypotheses about problems in politics.

Students learn their skills through intensive study of several fields within the discipline. In the general program it is possible to specialize in urban politics, policy processes and institutions, American political behavior, political economy, public administration, comparative politics, international relations, public law, and political theory. The Master of Arts is useful for students who are already in or planning on a career in secondary education, public policy, or politics. It is also useful for students who are considering doctoral education. It is particularly valuable for students simply interested in learning more about subjects that interest them.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will:

• Have the technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression (Performance)
• Understand the common elements and organizational patters of music and their interaction (Musicianship Skills and Analysis)
• Have a Rudimentary capacity to create original or derivative music (Composition/Improvisation)
• Have a basic knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time (History and Repertory)
• Have the ability to work on musical problems by combining their capabilities in performance, aural, verbal and visual analysis; composition/improvisation; history and repertory (Synthesis)

• Acquire advanced knowledge of traditional philosophical issues in the western tradition.
• Develop critical thinking skills based on knowledge of the standards governing logical reasoning.
• Acquire familiarity with philosophical issues that arise in some other disciplines (e.g. biology, art, education, etc.).
• Acquire a basic understanding of ethical principles and their role in resolving ethical disputes.
• Acquire the knowledge and skills required to write a paper identifying a philosophical issue and presenting arguments supporting a thesis for resolving it.