Apparently there is such a thing as a
free online degree. If you're a Texas middle-school math or science teacher, you may be eligible for a free distance education masters program 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 free online education degree 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 masters degree will be different from traditional math and science masters 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 online course collaboration with other students.
Program activities for this new online masters 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 education degree, 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 online education school plans to teach groups of 25 teachers, starting in the summer of 2010, and continuing each summer through 2013. The online grant money will be disbursed over the next six years.
The university will begin accepting applications for the first group of online graduate 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 Education MastersIf the iSMART degree is not for you, keep in mind there are many affordable online degrees -- education masters programs available from other online graduate schools. GetEducated.com's review of "Best Buy" distance masters in education has uncovered 25 affordable online degree programs from regionally accredited online graduate schools, none priced higher than $9,000 (depending on your residency status).
For a list of affordable distance masters degrees, visit
GetEducated.com's Best Buy Online Masters in Education rankings. You can also search GetEducated.com's online college directory for profiles and reviews of
more 175 online master's in education degrees.
Online College Scholarship Resources:
Best Online Education & Distance Learning Scholarships
GetEducated.com Online Education Scholarship Program
© Copyright 2010 GetEducated.com, Get Educated, Inc.
