ISTEP Program - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Skip to Main Content

ISTEP
 Program

Discover your STEM teaching potential with a scholarship.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation, as a result of our proposal for the Inclusive STEM Teacher Education Pipeline project (ISTEP). This enables us to offer the renowned Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship. In conjunction with our Master of Arts degree in Teaching, and our undergraduate STEM majors in teacher education, this scholarship program presents an exceptional opportunity for aspiring educators to receive a well-rounded and immersive educational experience.

Not only does it provide financial support to alleviate the burden of tuition expenses but also equips you with the knowledge, skills, and practical training necessary to excel in the field of teaching. With ISTEP, you can embark on a fulfilling journey that prepares you to make a profound impact in the classroom and shape the lives of countless students. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your potential as a STEM teacher and leave a lasting imprint on the lives of countless students. Apply to Saint Mary's and be the catalyst for change in the world of education.

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Highlights

  • Receive generous tuition support throughout your program:
    • Undergrad: Two years of scholarship support to meet unmet financial needs (approximately $18,000 annually)
    • Grad: A stipend of $19,500 to be applied over the course of your studies
  • Earn your master’s degree online while working full-time in as little as two years. Or you can earn it at the Winona Campus attending full-time in as little as one year. Our M.A. in Education program offers both initial MN licensing pathways and classroom teaching experience.
  • Benefit from post-graduation mentoring to support your career development and growth.
  • Teach what you love. Math, biology and other biological sciences, chemistry, or physics.

 

Hear their stories. Create your own.

“I want to show my Mexican-American community that we can become STEM educators. I want to see more people like me, standing in front of the classroom.” 

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Undergraduates 

    • ISTEP-Noyce Scholars are Secondary Education majors in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics from diverse backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in STEM education. 
    • “Diverse backgrounds” includes: racial/ethnic diversity, gender diversity, first-generation college student status, and those who are Pell-eligible. 
    •  Most of the undergraduate experiences will happen on the Winona Campus. Scholars also will have opportunities to travel to other locations for experiences working with diverse populations.

    Graduates

    • ISTEP-Noyce Scholars are students who have STEM degrees and are pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching degree to become a secondary education teacher in a STEM related field. Both initial Minnesota licensing pathways and classroom teaching experience are offered through this graduate teaching program.
    • You can earn your master’s degree in as little as one year at the Winona Campus, or in two to three years online while still working full time.

  • Undergraduates and graduates

    • Become a licensed MN Teacher
    • Teach at a high-need school for two years for each year of scholarship or stipend support

  • Applications now being accepted.  Please contact Dr. Jack McClure at 612-728-5216  or email  istep-noyce@smumn.edu for more application materials.

  • The term “high-need local educational agency” is defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965 as a school district that has at least one school in which 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, 34% or more teachers are not licensed or certified or are teaching out-of-field, or there is a 15% or higher attrition rate for teachers within the last three years.

  • You must apply and be accepted to the Master of Arts in Teaching program.  Applications are accepted year-round. Apply now.  After acceptance, your admissions advisor will help with the scholarship application.

  • This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. DUE 2151030