Science Education Major: Education Requirements and Career

What is a major in science education? A science education degree will put an individual in a position to teach science, often at the elementary or high school level. Some may choose to teach at tutoring or community centers. This degree involves a traditional education degree with a science focus. Those who hold this degree are not considered to be scientists or a part of the scientific community, but they still play a critical role in communities as educators.

Common Classes

In learning about a major in science education, it is important to take some time to learn about the classes involved in the degree. These often include child psychology and development, assessment in elementary education, models of instruction, creative drama, mathematics for elementary education, educational philosophy, educational psychology, foundations of education, children's literature, music for elementary education, instructional planning and assessment, public speaking, instructional technology, and diversity management. In addition to these, an aspiring science teacher will also take classes in biology, physics, chemistry, or general science.

Career Outlook

In 2008, there were about 3.5 million teachers in the United States. The job outlook is growing at an average rate for the teaching field, but the prospects are best for science teachers, math teachers, and bilingual teachers willing to teach in less desirable rural or urban school districts. During the 2005-2006 school year first-year teachers who held a Bachelor's degree earned $33,227 on average for that year. Overall, the median annual wage for kindergarten through high school teachers ranges from $47,190 to $51,180.

Colleges and Universities

It is difficult to find a school that offers a strict science education degree. Most offer an education degree with the option to add a separate science certification or a science degree in one of the many pure and new sciences.

Drexel University offers a Bachelor's degree in this field. This program will take about two and a half years for the average student, but can take longer, or less time, for some students. Students can choose part-time or full-time instruction. This program is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Along with this degree, if the student chooses the teacher certification, he or she will have to successfully complete a 12-week student teaching program in which the student teaches in a real-world classroom for 12 weeks. For every day of the 12 weeks, the student will teach a full day. To apply students must already have 24 college credits completed within the last ten years with a grade "C" or better, official transcripts, and a completed application for this program. Students will pay $620 per credit.

The California State University also offers a degree in this field. For a Bachelor's degree, students should expect about four years of school with a full-time schedule. This program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its education programs are further accredited by the California Committee on Accreditation and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Students will need transcripts and an application for enrollment to apply. Students will pay $5,688 for tuition and fees per nine months. Books average about $1,620 in addition to tuition.

Resources

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Teachers - Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and Secondary

The California State University: Why Become a Science Teacher?