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Take Your STEM Pedagogy to the Next Level

Develop advanced knowledge in STEM education to cultivate and inspire skill development and scientific inquiry in K-16 students. With a master’s in STEM at ACE, you’ll gain innovative, research-based practices and strategies that engage students and enhance their scientific literacy. The practical coursework prepares you to create engaging learning environments, integrate technology into curricula and more.

You’ll also gain the leadership and communication skills needed to promote education in STEM as its prevalence continues to grow with today’s evolving technology landscape. Whether you’re looking to become a leader or enhance your pedagogy, this program will prepare you to make an impact in STEM education.

Students located within the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom have the option to complete a portion of this program through the National Institute of STEM Education (NISE) by pursuing a National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST). After completing the NCST through NISE, the certificate transfers into our program as six credits, taking the place of two courses: SCI5243** and SCI5263.**

Career Opportunities

Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.

Science Teacher

The natural world around us is a fascinating thing to experience and learn from. In the classroom, science teachers play a pivotal role in shaping how students understand and engage with it. From designing interactive lessons, to leading hands-on laboratory experiments, the daily responsibilities of a science teacher extend far beyond the confines of a textbook. Whether they’re introducing basic concepts in biology or exploring complex topics like genetics, science teachers are there to guide students as they build essential critical thinking skills.

Expected Growth: 70,000 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $63,286

Middle School Teacher

The middle school years are a turning point in a student’s academic journey. During this time, young learners begin to think more independently, explore new subject interests, and navigate growing social and emotional changes. A middle school teacher plays an essential role in helping students build confidence, strengthen study habits and stay engaged.

Expected Growth: 40,500 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $62,969

Program Details

The STEM Education program is designed to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to transform STEM teaching and learning. Through a comprehensive curriculum, participants will develop expertise in applying STEM frameworks and competencies to investigate real-world problems, create engaging and relevant learning environments, and leverage technology to facilitate collaboration and communication. Participants will develop strategies to foster deep content knowledge and critical thinking through inquiry-based learning.

Program Outcomes

Apply STEM frameworks and competencies to investigate real-world problems. (AO1)
Develop instructional strategies to foster deep content knowledge and critical thinking skills within STEM disciplines. (AO2)
Identify methods for making STEM learning environments engaging and relevant for groups of learners. (AO3)
Leverage technology to facilitate collaboration and communication among students and teachers in STEM education. (AO4)
Foster a growth mindset and continuously improve STEM knowledge and skills. (AO5)

Courses

Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

This program consists of

31 credits

Core Courses

ED5023 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Assessment Strategies

Embracing the value of assessment and evaluation is the first step in improving learner outcomes through data-driven decision-making. This course develops relevant competencies and promotes a healthy balance of utilizing formative and summative assessments, evaluation practices, and data to inform and guide integrated curriculum development and instructional delivery. Assessments can provide facilitators with the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of learners in a variety of school and organizational settings.

ED5443 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Practical Design for Learning Environments

Students in this course will apply learning theories and instructional design principles across face-to-face, blended, and online environments. They adapt instruction to each setting including collaboration and assessments. Learners create products, set expectations, encourage interactions, select strategies and materials, and design evaluations.

ED5453 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Curriculum Architecture: Building Aligned Learning Experiences

Students in this course will design effective curricula within their professional fields. They apply principles of curriculum alignment and backward design to develop comprehensive curriculum maps. Topics include how to conduct needs assessments, plan curricula, and develop learning activities or resources for in-person, blended, and online learning environments.

RES5153 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Research Methods

This course prepares educators to become proficient consumers and practitioners of research in educational settings. They will learn to evaluate existing research, conduct action research, and apply scientific inquiry principles to address current educational challenges. Educators will develop skills in data-driven decision-making and learn to use research as a tool for continuous improvement in their organizations. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to integrate evidence-based practices into their work, enhancing their effectiveness as educational leaders.

SCI5091 - 1 SEMESTER CREDIT

Capstone Experience for STEM Education

The Capstone Experience is designed for candidates to demonstrate and document the impact of their knowledge and competencies gained throughout, and as a result of studies related to the STEM Leadership program.

SCI5203 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Foundations of STEM Education

Participants in this course explore the fundamental principles and strategies for creating and implementing effective STEM education curricula. They will design cross-disciplinary lessons and units that align with state and national standards, incorporating real-world applications and problem-based learning to enhance student engagement and understanding.

SCI5213 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Engaging Students in the STEM Classroom

This course equips STEM educators with the tools to create authentic, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences. Participants will learn effective strategies for designing STEM explorations that cater to a diverse range of learners, fostering curiosity and critical thinking. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to develop differentiated instructional plans and assessments that empower students to explore, create, and demonstrate their STEM knowledge in meaningful ways.

SCI5223 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Technology Integration in STEM Education

This course investigates the pivotal role of technology in enhancing STEM education through a comprehensive examination of current and emerging tools. Participants will evaluate and integrate various technologies to support inquiry-based learning and facilitate data analysis, simulations, and assessment. Emphasis is placed on ensuring equity and accessibility to leverage technology for effective collaboration and communication.

SCI5233 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Project-Based Learning for STEM

This course explores project-based learning (PBL) as a transformative approach in STEM education. Participants will learn to design and implement PBL strategies that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world solutions among learners. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to guide their students through meaningful PBL experiences that drive deeper understanding and practical application of STEM concepts.

SCI5253 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Developing STEM Literacy

This course equips educators with the essential tools to foster a deep understanding of scientific literacy in their students. By developing critical questions, analyzing communication skills, and utilizing effective assessment strategies, teachers will enhance their ability to guide students in applying scientific knowledge to real-world challenges. This approach supports educators in evolving their practice and modeling a commitment to ongoing learning in STEM education.

SCI5323 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Practical Science

The everyday task of cooking brings chemistry into the practical. Through the use of measurement and the interaction of energy, sources of food are changed yielding predictable results. The ability to understand how energy and matter are related establishes a cause-and-effect relationship essential to understanding reactions and interactions. Using a model-based inquiry approach, learners investigate terms such as extraction, denaturation, and transference.

College Catalog

Related Programs

Start Dates

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it's best for you.

July 13, 2026 Term

Jul 10, 2026

Application Due

Jul 10, 2026

Payment Due

Jul 13, 2026

Term Start

Jul 17, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Aug 16, 2026

Term End

August 24, 2026 Term

Aug 21, 2026

Application Due

Aug 21, 2026

Payment Due

Aug 24, 2026

Term Start

Aug 28, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Sep 27, 2026

Term End

September 14, 2026 Term

Sep 11, 2026

Application Due

Sep 11, 2026

Payment Due

Sep 14, 2026

Term Start

Sep 18, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Oct 25, 2026

Term End

October 05, 2026 Term

Oct 02, 2026

Application Due

Oct 02, 2026

Payment Due

Oct 05, 2026

Term Start

Oct 09, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Nov 08, 2026

Term End

Tuition

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Total Cost of M.Ed. in STEM Education

Total Tuition

semester credit x $ per credit

Fees

Total Program Cost

Find a plan that fits your budget.

View Payment Options

Return on Your Investment

Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.

You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.¹

How to Pay for College

Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.² Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.

$17,515

Average competitor total cost²

$9,655

Average ACE total cost^*

When we say low cost, we mean it

The proof is in the numbers. ACE’s commitment to keeping tuition and fees low means our price is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs.

Why ACE?

Low-Cost, High Quality

You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000^*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.

Tuition & ROI

$1.2M

in
scholarships

Quality You Expect

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 84% graduation rate.³ Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.

Success Stories

84%

graduation
rate³

Flexibility You Need

Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.

Support Services

24/7

student support
services

View Our Accreditations

See How ACE Stacks Up

Graduation and Satisfaction Rates

ACE Graduates With No Debt² vs. Master’s Degree Holders From Private, For-Profit Institutions⁴

87%

31%

ACE vs. Comparison Group for Better Than Expected Overall Student Satisfaction or Higher³

97%

82%

Stay Within Your Budget

Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.

Network Across the Globe

Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.

Gain Today’s In-Demand Skills

Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,³ while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.³

Learn From Custom-Built Curriculum

Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.

See how we're different

Student Success Stories

Alumni

M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction

Jazzmyne Townsend

Read Jazzmyne's story »

Alumni

Ed.D. in Leadership

Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez

Read Dr.'s story »

Alumni

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership

Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez

Read Dr.'s story »

Admission Requirements

ACE General Admission Requirements

Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement and payment agreement.
Submit the nonrefundable application fee. *
Provide official transcripts from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program. **
Secure electronic transcripts can be mailed to [email protected].

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.

**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

Bachelor's or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned
Minimum Grade Point Average 2.50 on a 4.00 Scale for full admission
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
Applicants must achieve and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their program

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.

Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through a NACES-recommended agency.
Texas applicants for licensure programs may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.
Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening and Writing.
The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.
The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit a minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C).

¹Lightcast Study

²Internal research conducted November 2025

³Across all ACE Programs. See Student Right to Know. Accessed May 28, 2026

⁴Education Data Initiative. Accessed January 28, 2026

Let's Get Started

Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.

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