College of EducationSTEMS²

STEMS² Master’s Track

MEd, Curriculum Studies

Typical Length 13 months

Delivery Summer Hybrid

30

Credits

The MEd CS STEMS² program is designed for educators who want to be transformative, connect with community, engage students in place and experiential learning, transcend disciplinary boundaries, and gain leadership skills that emphasize respect and collaboration. The program is offered as a 13 month masters program housed in the department of Curriculum Studies at the University of Hawai’i – Manoa, College of Education. MEd CS STEMS² is a 30-credit track that focuses on real-world problem solving via project-based and place-based learning within a social context that integrate science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the social sciences while focusing on youths’ development in relation to their sense of self as local and global citizens. Teaching from a STEMS² perspective entails place-based, project-based learning where students emulate the processes of professionals in are variety of fields (i.e., historians, engineers, etc.) to design solutions to real world problems in their local and global communities.

 

“As a teacher who was once a student who felt disconnected from her education that spoke of squirrels, basements, and snow, I hope to help revitalize the normalcy of Hawaiian and local culture in the classroom.”

Lezlie Kanamu MEd Curriculum Studies Alumna

Alumnus

Kanamu
Common Careers

Graduates go into a diverse array of professional fields related to education. Upon completion of STEMS² many are offered and take school leadership positions in public, private and charter schools as well as community, state and private informal education spaces. For a list of careers and current alumni activities please contact the program directly.

Admission Requirements
Apply to UHM Graduate Division View This Task

You must submit a graduate division application.

To submit your application please go to the UHM online application.

When applying for a summer program, make sure you choose the application type “Graduate Studies – Summer”.

For checklist item #7 (Planned Course of Study) select "Curriculum Studies-MEd"

Information for prospective students can be found on the prospective students page of the UHM Graduate Division website.

Completed Baccalaureate Degree View This Task

Must have graduated from an accredited, four-year institution of higher education recognized by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), prior to beginning the MEd, Curriculum Studies: STEMS2 program.

To check if you graduated from a UHM recognized institution contact the UHM Graduate Division at gradss@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-8544.

Undergraduate Cumulative GPA View This Task

An Undergraduate Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Graduate Division at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) requires an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for admission. Some departments however may admit students with GPA’s that are below a 3.0. Departments consider the GPA along with other factors when making their admission decisions.

Submitted Transcripts View This Task

A transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.

You should also including transcripts from, any study abroad or exchange programs, summer programs, and non-degree work and extension programs. Your official transcripts need to be sent directly to the Graduate Division from the issuing institution(s), or in sealed institutional envelopes if submitted with the application.

UH Transcripts

Transcripts are not required for course work completed at any of the UH campuses. Graduate Division Student Services will obtain UH transcripts on behalf of applicants.

International Students

Refer to the Office of Graduate Education International Admissions Requirements website for specific international requirements.

Send your official transcripts to the UHM Graduate Division at:
2540 Maile Way
Spalding 354
Honolulu, HI 96822

Unofficial Transcripts

You may submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts directly to the department. However, you are still required to have your official transcripts sent directly to the UH Mānoa Graduate Division at the address above.

Upload your unofficial transcripts.
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Submitting unofficial transcripts to the department alone does NOT meet the transcripts requirement.

Interview with Program View This Task

The final step of your MEd, Curriculum Studies: STEMS2 application is to participate in a real time online interview via Zoom.

Statement of Objectives View This Task

A written statement of objectives as part of your application.

You are required to write a response to the following three essay questions as part of your application to the MEd, Curriculum Studies: STEMS2 program.

Use the following directions to submit your statement of objectives.

  1. Respond to all 3 essay questions in one document.
  2. Save your statement as either a word (.doc/.docx) or PDF (.pdf) format.
  3. Name the file with your name and the word statement
    (e.g. StudentName_Statement.pdf).
  4. Upload your statement to Mākālei
    This link opens in a new window or tab.
Submit Resume or Curriculum Vita (CV) View This Task

Your resume or CV.

You are required to submit your resume or CV. You can either upload a copy directly to Mākālei or mail or fax a copy to the department.

Upload your resume or CV
This link opens in a new window or tab.

AlertYour resume or CV must be in either Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF (.pdf) format.

Or

Mail or Fax your Resume/Vitae to:

Department of Curriculum Studies
UHM College of Education
1776 University Avenue,Everly Rm 224
Honolulu, HI 96822
Fax: (808) 956-9905

Three Letters of Recommendation View This Task

Three (3) letters of recommendation

List three professional references who will write your letters of recommendation, e.g., supervisor, professor, advisor, instructor, etc. These references will be sent an email with directions for submitting the letter. Please verify in advance, the listed references have agreed to provide a letter and inform them they will receive an email with instructions. The College reserves the right to contact professional references other than those listed.

Name E-mail Phone Relationship Send
1.
2.
3.

Please submit your letter of recommendation as soon as possible. The application deadline is 02/15, however applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once complete.

English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) View This Task

Applicants who are not native English speakers may need to take the TOEFL or IELTS (Academic) tests. For more information view the Graduate Division website. For more information on the TOEFL and IELTS tests and to determine if you need to take them please visit the Graduate Division's English Proficiency website.

Minimum acceptable scores for the 2 tests are:

TOEFL -
600/100 (Paper/Internet)
Subtests:

25 Listening
25 Speaking

IELTS -
6.00 for the Overall band test results

Send your official scores to the UHM Graduate Division at:

2540 Maile Way
Spalding 354
Honolulu, HI 96822

Identification Documents View This Task

International students are required to submit a copy of their Identification documents (i.e. Passport or Identification Card)

As required by U.S. federal regulations, all international applicants are required to submit a copy of their passport identification pages, or a copy of their national identification card if a passport is not available.

Send your identification documents to the UHM Graduate Division at:
2540 Maile Way
Spalding 354
Honolulu, HI 96822

International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses

International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses ,including expenses for any accompanying spouse or children. Upon admission to UHM, only international applicants with proof of funding will receive visa documents. The Confidential Financial Statement Form for International Applicants is required of most international applicants.

Send your financial statement to the UHM Graduate Division at:
2540 Maile Way
Spalding 354
Honolulu, HI 96822

How to Apply
Application Deadlines
Starting Semester Early Admission General Admission International Student Admission
Fall N/A N/A N/A
Spring N/A N/A N/A
Summer N/A *February 15 *November 30

*Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and on a rolling basis beginning December 1. Review will continue until a cohort fills (20 people) on or before the February 15th deadline. It is recommended that you apply before the deadline.


How to Apply
Tuition

For the most current information, always refer to the Office of Graduate Education (OGE) website, UHM regular Tuition and Fees or UHM Outreach College Tuition and Fees.

The program offers students stipends to assist with costs associated with Learning Journeys. The amount of the stipends is based on individual student’s geographical location and situation (e.g. students who are UH employees using tuition waivers cannot receive stipends).

Funding Options

University of Hawai’i

Local/Community Based

Native Hawaiian Scholarship Information

National/Online Based

Delivery & Format

The MEd CS STEMS² is a unique hybrid program meeting fully online in the Fall and Spring semesters bookended by two three week intensive in-person experiential summer learning sessions. Summer learning sessions take place on Oahu (2 weeks) and Hawai‘i Island (1 week) in summer 1 and Maui (1 week) and Oahu (2 weeks). Cohorts begin annually during Summer. Each cohort will span 13 months (Summer 1, Fall, Spring, Summer 2).

During the two book end summers, participants experience STEMS² via a series of “Learning Journeys” that engage learners in place and culture-based integrated experience/service learning experiences. Travel, accommodations and some food costs are subsidized by the program.

STEMS2 Delivery and Format

STEMS² alum Jerrik Feliciano discusses the flexibility of the STEMS² schedule.

Sample Coursework

The MEd CS STEMS² program consists of the following:

  • 4 core courses (12 credits) –  EDCS 622G Curriculum Leadership: K–14 (3), EDCS 606 Introduction to Research in Curriculum and Teaching (3), EDCS 632 Qualitative Research Methods (3), and EDCS 667 Seminar in Curriculum (3)
  • Minimum 6 specialization courses (18 credits) – required and/or recommended coursework and directed study in specialization track. Courses should be chosen in consultation with advisor.
  • Plan A Thesis or Plan B Paper/Project

Requirements are found in the MEd-CS Handbook 1: Prospective and New Students.

Program Coordinator