Course of Study
General Course Outline
This table shows a typical course of study for a Master's Student in the Advanced Inquiry Program. Details may vary based on specific experiences offered by each AIP Master Institution. Please visit your local AIP Master Institution's web page for information on specific state and program requirements.
Year 1
| Semester | Course Type | # of Credits |
| Summer/Fall/Spring: | AIP Master Institution Courses (WBC* + On-site learning experiences) | 7 credits |
| Fall: | Conservation Science & Community (WBC* only) | 2 credits |
| Spring: | Biology in the Age of Technology (WBC* only) | 2 credits |
| Adv.Sem. Issues in Biodiversity (WBC* only) | 2 credits |
|
| Total Credits Year 1 | 13 |
Year 2
| Semester | Course Type | # of Credits |
| Summer/Fall/Spring: | AIP Master Institution Courses (WBC* + On-site learning experiences) | 7 credits |
| Fall: | Adv.Sem. Issues in Evolution (WBC* only) | 2 credits |
| Spring: | Ldrshp. Sci. Inq. (WBC* only) | 2 credits |
| Professional Media Workshop (WBC* only) | 2 credits |
|
| Total Credits Year 2 | 13 |
Year 3
| Semester | Course Type | # of Credits |
| Summer/Fall/Spring: | AIP Master Institution Courses (WBC* + On-site learning experiences) | 7 credits |
| Fall: | Master's Capstone (WBC* only) ** | 2 credits |
| GRADUATION | ||
| Total Credits Year 3 | 9 |
*WBC: Web-based Course. |
Total Program Credits: 35 |
**The Master's Capstone is the final course taken as part of the AIP degree sequence. Because the final, culminating product of this course and your master's degree will be to create an ePortfolio representing your work in the program, it may not be taken concurrently with another course except for the web-based portion of an Earth Expeditions field course. This course may also be offered during the spring semester for students with delayed graduation.
Course Explanations
AIP Master Institution Courses
These courses--the heart of the AIP--are offered through your local AIP Master Institute in collaboration with Miami University. Includes formal coursework, project groups, research and apprentice opportunities on such topics as advanced inquiry, schoolyard ecology, and field studies in local environments. All AIP-MI courses include a web-learning community where students share ideas, access and submit work, and collaborate with peers and instructors.
AIP Master Institution courses are designed to fulfill local and state education standards. For more details about course offerings contact your respective AIP Master Institution.
(Note: up to 7 credits of a past Earth Expeditions course can be transferred towards the AIP Master's degree.)
Web-based Courses (WBC)
Web-based coursework includes Learning Community courses and Advanced Seminars. Courses cover a range of topics, such as conservation science, social change, and action research. Please refer to master's course description for further descriptions of these courses.
Leadership in Science Inquiry course (LSI)
This is a required course for all candidates. Participants assume a leadership role in their community and share their expertise, experiences, and skills.
Master's Capstone
This web-based course facilitates the development of a final portfolio (i.e. teaching or working) based on experiences throughout the degree program. The Capstone course is taken in the last semester of the degree program. Because the final, culminating product of this course and your master's degree will be to create an ePortfolio representing your work in the program, it may not be taken concurrently with another course except for the web-based portion of Earth Expeditions field course.
Completing the Master's
35 credit hours total: 21 hours of AIP Master Institution and 14 hours web-based courses (3 Learning Community courses, 2 Advanced Seminars, the LSI course, and Capstone). MAT students develop a teaching portfolio adaptable for National Board Certification. MA students develop a work portfolio suitable for their professional environment.