If you're a Texas middle-school math or science teacher, you may be eligible for a free online master's degree from the University of Houston. The school is offering its new, "Integrated Science, Math and Reflective Thinking"—or "iSMART"—online graduate program to an initial group of 25 teachers, starting next year.

The project is underwritten by the Greater Texas Foundation, an education charity, which donated $3 million. The foundation's goal for the program is to prepare and increase the number of qualified middle-school math and science teachers in Texas.

The new, two-year master's degree will be different from traditional math and science master's programs because it will combine and integrate the teaching of the two subjects, rather than provide separate instruction. Teachers will learn at a distance, and be expected to develop in-depth content knowledge and leadership skills through collaboration with online classmates.

Program activities for this new, free online master's degree are expected to include: analyzing and writing curriculum; analyzing theories of learning and models of integration of science and mathematics; studying children's thinking of content; and reflecting on video of teachers' own practices.

"This program takes strong teachers from across the state and rewards them with a free graduate program," said Jennifer Chauvot, assistant professor of math education at the University of Houston. "They will learn models of teaching that show how the subjects can be integrated, develop curriculum they can incorporate into their teaching, and learn from each other so that they can be leaders on their campuses."

To qualify for consideration for this free, e-learning program, teachers must have been a practicing middle-school (sixth through ninth grade) math or science teacher in Texas for at least three years, and must intent to continue teaching during the two-year program. Applicants also must meet University of Houston graduate admission requirements.

The school plans to teach groups of 25 teachers, starting in the summer of 2010, and continuing each suer through 2013. The grant money will be disbursed over the next six years.

The university will begin accepting applications for the first group of students in January 2010. To apply, or to be added to the program's email list, visit the University of Houston's College of Education Mathematics Education Program online.


Additional — and Affordable — Online Master's in Education Programs

If the iSMART degree is not for you, keep in mind that there are many other online master's degrees in education available from other universities. GetEducated.com's survey of most affordable distance learning master's in education degrees found 25 online degree programs from regionally accredited schools, with none priced higher than $9,000 (depending on your residency status).

For a complete listing of affordable distance learning education degrees, visit GetEducated.com's Best Buy Online Masters in Education rankings.

If you would like to search beyond these schools, consult GetEducated.com's database, where you can search for more 175 online master's in education degrees.


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