RALLY for STEM offers teaching degrees in math or science for Middle Childhood Education (MCE; grades 4-9) and Adolescent-to-Young Adult (AYA; grades 7-12).

Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) 

Middle childhood candidates select two subject areas (language arts, mathematics, science, social studies), one of which must be mathematics or science.

Degree	Program Code
Mathematics and Social Studies	ME6870
Science and Social Studies	ME6871
Mathematics and Science	ME6872
Language Arts and Science	ME6874
Language Arts and Mathematics	ME6875

Adolescent-to-Young Adult (Grades 7-12)

AYA candidates select one mathematics or science specialization.

Concentration		Program Code
Integrated Mathematics		ME6867
Sciences
	Integrated Science	ME6869
	Physical Science	ME6859
	Life Science	ME6861
	Earth/Space Science	ME6862

Return to top

Eligibility and Admission Criteria

Anyone with an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) who is not currently a certified teacher can apply to be a RALLY for STEM Teaching Fellow.

All applications will be reviewed holistically, however, prospective RALLY for STEM Fellows’ applications are generally expected to provide evidence of:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
2. Bachelor’s grade point average of at least 3.40 (4.00 point scale)
3. Score of at least 300 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 
4. Passing score (220) on the Ohio Assessment for Educators content exam appropriate to the desired certification level .
5. A strong interest in teaching middle grades or secondary learners, deep understanding of a STEM discipline and willingness to integrate STEM disciplines, and a commitment to working in high needs schools with a preference given to rural settings. 
6. Professional dispositions appropriate to the teaching profession 
7. (Optional) Evidence of past PK-12, post-secondary, or informal teaching experience or advanced content preparation

Deadline

Applications for the 2020 cohort will be accepted December 1, 2019 - March 30, 2020.

Procedure

• Apply through the Graduate College's online system.
• Indicate that you are applying for the RALLY for STEM Fellowship in the online application by listing NOYCE in advisor field.
• Contact Dr. Hallman-Thrasher (hallman@ohio.edu) to ensure that your applications is processed and with any questions.
• The combined Graduate College and committee review of your application can take 3-4 weeks. Successful applicants will be invited to an in-person or video conference interview, which will include a short teaching presentation (details will be shared when invitations are extended).

Required Materials

1. Current curriculum vita/resume.
   At least two pages and not to exceed four pages.
2. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
   Applicants should submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. If you have attended Ohio University, the Graduate College will add those transcripts in the system for you. Please note that an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent is required. Official transcripts are not required during the review process and will only be required for applicants who are offered admission. Applicants should not mail official transcripts until offered admission.
3. Goal statement.
   The goal statement should explain your academic, professional, and/or leadership experience in a STEM field(s); why you are interested in pursuing a teaching career; what you hope to gain from the RALLY for STEM program; an explanation of how your education and experiences can support STEM teaching and learning in high-needs middle or high schools. Your statement should also address the factors that will enable you to commit to teaching at least four years in a high-needs school and your experiences in rural settings or willingness to learn about teaching in rural settings. The statement is not to exceed four double-spaced typewritten pages. Please contact Dr. Hallman-Thrasher if you have questions about the goal statement.
4. Academic writing sample. 
   Submit a piece of academic writing that demonstrates both your technical writing skills and your ability to make logical claims and support them with evidence and references. Your writing sample could be a published paper, a paper submitted for a course, a master’s project thesis, or a new paper you construct specifically for this application. Dr. Hallman-Thrasher can offer assistance in choosing an appropriate sample and, if you do not have an appropriate sample available, can provide a writing prompt to which you may respond.
5. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.
   The General GRE (verbal and quantitative) is offered by computer only. The test may be taken at the Educational Testing Center on the Athens campus. The Computer-Based Test (CBT) may be scheduled by calling 1-800-GRE-CALL or through the GRE website. The GRE information bulletin also includes phone numbers for specific test centers. Official test scores must be reported directly to Ohio University using the institution code 1593. Scores over seven years old will not be accepted for admission. Scores not meeting cut-off scores will not be accepted for admission.
6. Passing score on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Content Exam(s).
   The Ohio Assessment for Educators is a computer-based exam that is required for teacher certification in Ohio. A passing score is 220 or better. You can register for the exam here. There is a test site on the Athens campus and test sites throughout Ohio. Practice materials are available here. Which particular test(s) you need to take depends on the area of teacher certification you are seeking (see below). If you are uncertain about which tests to take please contact Dr. Hallman-Thrasher (hallman@ohio.edu) for mathematics certification and Dr. Dani (dani@ohio.edu) for science certification.

   Certification Area	Required OAE Exam*
   Middle Childhood (grades 4-9)
   Mathematics	030 Middle Grades Mathematics
   Science	029 Middle Grades Science
   Adolescent-to-Young Adult (grades 7-12)
   Integrated Mathematics	027 Mathematics
   Integrated Science	024 Integrated Science
   Physical Sciences: Physics	035 Physics
   Physical Sciences: Chemistry	009 Chemistry
   Life Sciences	007 Biology
   Earth/Space Sciences	014 Earth and Space Science
   * Additional Certification Tests are required during the program.

7. Three letters of recommendation.
   The applicant should not upload recommendation letters to the online system. Your letter writers should upload their letters directly to the online system. In completing the online application, you will identify your letter writers and provide their email addresses. Your letter writers will receive an email from the Graduate College asking them to complete the form online. Choose recommenders who know your academic work well and can speak to your capacity to engage in graduate level study, your background in a STEM field,  your work or leadership experience, teaching or tutoring experience or your potential aptitude for this work, and/or your interest or experience in working with middle or high school learners. At least one letter should address the potential for teaching or working with K-12 learners and at least one should address the capacity for engaging in graduate level study. Do not solicit “character references” from friends, family, or people you know socially. Recommendation letters should come from both college professors and employers or professional colleagues.

Apply Now!

Return to top

“It was truly transformative for me, and I know that I would not be the educator that I am today without the privilege of having been part of the program!”

- Erin Litchfield, 2012 Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellow

• Work with experienced mentors and OU STEM faculty to design engaging activities, lesson, and units that integrate STEM and connect to the local issues
• Co-facilitate STEM learning events in the community
• Engage in community service in SouthEast Ohio
• Complete a yearlong clinical internship in local schools under the mentorship of experienced mathematics and science teachers
• Commit to teaching in a high-needs school for 4 years
• Participate in four years of follow-up professional development, online (school year) and in person (one week each summer)
• Earn 30 credit hours beyond your Master’s degree in professional development
• Attend and present your work at annual professional teaching conferences

Return to top

Return to top

Return to top

Allyson Hallman-Thrasher
Program Coordinator
309 McCracken Hall
rallyforstem@ohio.edu
730.593.9713