This page provides a schematic of the program offerings and program links. If you are unsure about the kind of program that will best meet your needs, this is the place to start your search.

Programs are initially categorized by academic level: undergraduate, certification only, and graduate programs. From these larger groupings, are links to specific programs, which are finally linked to the content areas for which specializations exist. By clicking on any link, you will be taken to a page that has a more specific program description and provide additional links to program details. If you are having difficulty deciding on the program that is right for you, please contact the CSTL advisor, Carol Haden.

I. Undergraduate Programs [ Top ]

Undergraduate programs in science education exist at the secondary (7-12) and elementary (1-6) levels. Both programs include 35 hours of Liberal Studies requirements and 31 hours of Teacher Preparation requirements. Most importantly, each program requires 6 hours of science methods courses specifically designed for the secondary science teacher. The remaining program hours are dedicated to courses in the major, minor, or elective areas.

A. Bachelor of Science in Education - Secondary
The BSEd programs in secondary science education (grades 7-12) prepare the future science teacher with a concentrated content area major specifically designed to meet the needs of a classroom teacher and provide broad preparation across the sciences. All of the secondary BSEd programs contain broadfield requirements at the entry level in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and/or mathematics. This preparation supports the integration of content as well as classroom content and practices found in the middle grades (grades 6-9).

A separate application is required to the Teacher Education Plan and a candidate must meet the College of Education criteria as well as the graduation requirements established by the content department. In order to meet state certification requirements, all teacher candidates must pass the Secondary Professional Knowledge Test of the AEPA exam. Teachers of biology, chemistry, and physics must also pass the subject matter exam in the contents for which they want to certify.  There is no exam for teachers seeking endorsement in earth science, general science, or physical sciences; 24 hours in the content area is sufficient for certification.

Download the BSEd Suggested Program Sequence: [Acrobat] [MS Word]

BSEd Content Areas:

• BSEd in Biology
• BSEd in Chemistry
• BSEd in Earth Science
• BSEd in Physics
• BSEd in Physical Sciences: Secondary School
• BSEd in Physical Sciences: Middle School

B. Teaching Minors
Teaching minors are designed to give the science teacher who is completing a program of study in one secondary science teaching major the opportunity to expand their area of expertise and employability by adding a content preparation in a second area. A teaching minor, in and of itself, will not prepare and individual for a teaching career or certification. In order to qualify for state level certification, a teacher must have 24 credit hours in each area for which they elect to teach (in addition to the teacher preparation requirements) and, in the cases of biology, chemistry, and physics, pass the state AEPA exam in that content area. There is no exam for teachers seeking endorsement in earth science, general science, or physical sciences; 24 hours in the content area is sufficient for certification.

• Minor in Biology Secondary Education
• Minor in Chemistry Education
• Minor in Physical Science for Secondary Education
• Minor in Physics for Secondary Education

C. BSEd in Elementary Education
Elementary education majors have the option of selecting a content area emphasis. Emphases are generally 18 hours, with the hours counted toward the degree requirements. There are two emphasis areas in science. These areas would be particularly useful to the intermediate grade teacher (grades 4-6) who is acting as the in-school science resource, or for elementary teachers who would like to teach science courses at the middle school level in a departmentalized setting. While these emphases are not sufficient to provide the science specialist with all the content knowledge that they would need, it does provide a foundation upon which to select additional courses. A separate application is required to the Teacher Education Plan and a candidate must meet the College of Education criteria. For teachers in the middle grades, to be considered a Highly Qualified teacher, 24 hours of science content is required.

• Content Emphasis in Science
• Content Emphasis in Environmental Science
  

II. Certification Only Programs [ Top ]

Certification only programs are designed for the individual who has graduated with a science content BA/BS and who later decides to teach in the secondary schools. These programs will not result in a Masters degree. As a post degree student, you receive the benefit of paying undergraduate tuition rates (except ARU courses), but will start lower on the teaching pay scale than if you had earned your certification through one of the Masters degree programs. Carefully consider these trade-offs as you select your program of study.

In addition to taking any content courses needed for teaching, science methods courses and teacher preparation requirements must be fulfilled. Certification requirements can often be completed in 30-40 hours beyond the BA/BA, depending on content area deficiencies. A separate application is required to the Teacher Education Plan and a candidate must meet the College of Education criteria.

A. Post Degree Certification
The programs listed below are available for individuals interested in a post degree certification. By clicking on the links below, you will be taken to the undergraduate BSEd program so that you can see the overall program requirements. The post-degree certification program varies from the undergraduate degree plan in that liberal studies requirements are waived. Each department assesses the adequacy of your previously earned degree in meeting the requirements of the content teaching major. For transcript analysis, contact Carol Haden. When your plan of study is completed, you will be granted an institutional recommendation to the state for secondary science certification.

• Biology
• Chemistry
• General Science
• Physics
• Physical Sciences: Middle School
• Physical Sciences: Secondary School
• ARU Certification in Science and Mathematics

III. Graduate Programs [ Top ]

Graduate programs require admission to the Graduate College and to the college that sponsors the program of study. The advantage of a masters degree program that includes certification is the recognition of the Bachelor's degree and add the MED degree, allowing you to start your teaching career higher on the pay scale. Up to six hours of 400 level work may be applied to your program, with approval from your advisor.

A. Graduate Programs With Certification
Graduate programs with certification are offered by the College of Education and require admission to that college as well as admission to the Teacher Education Plan. Applications are accepted at set times each year and the dates for application can be found with the application materials.

• MEd in Secondary Education with Science Certification
• Alternative Certification in Phoenix (MEd with Cert)

B. Graduate Programs Without Certification
NAU offers a number of graduate programs to meet the needs of teachers who are looking to expand their skill levels in science teaching, or pursue positions as leaders in curriculum and instruction. All programs require admission to the Graduate College and the college in which the program resides.

• Master of Arts in Science Teaching (MAST)
• MEd in Secondary Education - Science Education Emphasis
• Master of Arts in Science: Biology, Geology, and Physics
• EdD in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education Strand