GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN MAKER EDUCATION
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This ten-credit online graduate certificate program is open to all with a bachelor’s degree, and is available to students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs in many fields at Rutgers. The certificate program is designed to help educators and practitioners receive the education and resources necessary for developing competence and confidence to start and supervise a makerspace in a school, community center, or other learning space. Participants will gain proficiency in maker-based learning activities or projects, including the development of curricula and assessments meeting common standards in STEM subjects. Participants will also explore how maker-centered projects can be leveraged as a vehicle for meaningful, discovery-based learning in mathematics, science, computer science, as well as integrated STEM/STEAM curricula.
People of all ages can blend digital and physical technologies to explore ideas and learn technical skills as they create new products. The rapidly expanding educational and artistic uses of makerspaces can have maximum impact in fostering a new wave of applied, multidisciplinary learning experiences. There is a growing recognition that maker-centered education can transform how and what people learn in STEM. Maker-centered learning is also seen as a leading vehicle for implementing new education standards in Computer Science and Design Thinking, as well as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
The program was designed in hybrid format, in which face-to-face classes alternate weekly with asynchronous virtual classes. Face-to-face classes are held one day per week from late afternoon to early evening at the Rutgers Makerspace, following strict social distancing and other COVID safety guidelines. Partly due to COVID-19, we are now providing a 100% online option. Our instructors will work with you to identify an individualized plan to complete coursework for the alternating weeks that were originally designed as face-to-face. This plan may include opportunities to access the Rutgers or a local makerspaces as possible, providing you with a kit of materials, purchasing equipment that can be afforded, and a variety of other solutions that suit your situation. We suggest a conversation with at least one of our instructors to set up the 100% online option.
I. NON-CREDIT Registrations: For information about Non-Credit option, read here.
II. APPLICATION DEADLINES: 01/12/22 for Spring 2022 semester
III. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must provide all of the following:
- Personal statement/narrative (approximately one page in length) that describes why the program is relevant to the applicant’s interests and/or career goals
- One letter of recommendation
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Only complete applications will be reviewed.
IV. HOW TO APPLY:
Non-GSE Students: Applicants who are not current GSE students apply online at the Graduate Admissions website: http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/
- Click on “Apply Now” and follow the instructions given.
- Choose "Non-Degree Application", for Application Type.
- For Program Name choose "Professional Credit Programs" from the drop down menu. (Scroll down past all the Education programs.)
- Scroll down; across from “Education: Maker Education Certificate Program 15000MS”, click the link for the semester you want to apply for.
- Select “No” for Full-time Study.
- Complete the application by providing the requested information.
- Supporting materials must be submitted online or mailed to the Graduate Admissions office at Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions (New Brunswick), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 65 Davidson Road, Room 200L, Piscataway, NJ 08854-5602 U.S.A.
- Enter payment information for the non-refundable application fee.
- Submit your application and authorize payment for the non-refundable application fee.
Current GSE Students: All applicants who are currently enrolled in a GSE program and wish to begin the certificate program while continuing their current program should contact the GSE Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) at academic.services@gse.rutgers.edu.
Applicants are responsible for reviewing and confirming that they meet program requirements before the application is submitted. Rutgers Graduate School of Education WILL NOT refund the application fee if an applicant is not accepted.
When the entire application process is complete, students simply register for the courses in the program as described on the program handouts and on the GSE website gse.rutgers.edu. It is the responsibility of the student to enroll in all of the required courses through Rutgers University. No program requirements may be met at any other institution. Students are expected to maintain a “B” or better average as a non-degree student. Accepted students will have 5 years to complete the program.
After completing all of the required courses in the program, students should contact the Office of Academic Services at the GSE. Students will receive official documentation of their completion, endorsed by the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education.
V. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Course Number. Course Name. Credits
15:290:553 Developing a Maker Mindset 3
15:290:554 Designing/Facilitating Maker-Centered Learning Environments 3
15:290:555 Makerspace Safety and Emergency Lab 1
15:290:559 Maker Education Capstone 3
Total Credits 10
Click here for a description of courses.
VI. PROGRAM FACULTY:
- Chris Anderson, Ms.Ed.
- Todd Menadier, M.S.
- Edward Cohen, PhD.
- Janice Gobert, Ph.D.