All-time Online Science Education Programs

Explore our ranking of the best online available's in scientific discipline education programs nationwide. Find the best education degree for your career goals.

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by Marisa Upson

Published on March 10, 2022 · Updated on April 25, 2022

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If you enjoy studying the periodic table or visiting observatories and science museums, you may observe an online bachelor'south in science pedagogy plan fascinating and rewarding.

Earning this degree from a top online college may lead to a career teaching science at the K-12 level or sharing your passion in museums and youth camps. The degree tin can too serve as a stepping rock to graduate school.

The U.S. is experiencing a astringent shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in science and mathematics. A survey conducted by Frontline Education found that 2 out of 3 schoolhouse systems reported shortages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, middle school teachers earned a median annual salary of $threescore,810 equally of May 2020.

A bachelor's in science instruction takes nigh four years to complete. The Higher Board reports that average tuition and fees for a bachelor'due south degree ranged from $viii,760-$37,500 for the 2020-21 bookish twelvemonth.

What Can I Expect From an Online Available's in Science Education Program?

Success in this field requires empathy, patience, and a passion for sharing knowledge. While students' needs differ among historic period groups, cadre skills for all teachers include advice, resilience, and a want to help others succeed.

Earning an online bachelor's in scientific discipline education requires about 120 credits and takes iv years of full-time enrollment to complete. Accelerated tracks tin lead to a degree in 42 months. Programs may also specialize in teaching at the middle school or high school level.

To gain state licensure, prospective teachers must complete supervised classroom education. Teacher programs usually comprise this component. Student teachers discover educators in the classroom earlier undertaking a total-time, supervised, in-classroom student teaching experience.

Student educational activity lasts at least 12-20 weeks, though requirements vary by state and school. Programs may help you find local opportunities to complete these requirements.

Most programs offering concentrations, enabling students to align their educational activity with their area of involvement. Concentration offerings may include chemical science, biology, earth-space science, and physics. A bachelor's in scientific discipline pedagogy provides students with thorough noesis in their content discipline and in modern theories regarding educational approaches and learning.

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Popular Online Bachelor's in Science Education Programs

Acquire about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities beneath.

What Courses Will I Accept in an Online Bachelor'south in Science Instruction Program?

Concepts in Science

Students explore many scientific disciplines, including geosciences, chemistry, biology, and physics. Covered topics include analyzing scientific data, the nature of matter and energy, and chemical bonds.

Natural Science Lab

Students may receive a abode science lab kit to complete lab experiments. Participants learn about the scientific method and use lab experiments to gather information and investigate a hypothesis.

Educational Technology for Didactics

This form explores the latest technologies used in classrooms to facilitate instruction and learning. Participants learn to evaluate hardware and software options while because students' access to technology and other ethical factors.

Educational Psychology and Human Development

This class examines the theories of human being development from early on babyhood through adolescence. Students learn how social and cognitive developments affect learning. They also explore the appropriate strategies for assessing and instructing diverse populations.

Introduction to Curriculum, Educational activity, and Assessment

Participants acquire to assess learners' needs and the best approaches for modifying and delivering instructions based on those needs. Covered topics include creating engaging lessons that see educational standards.

Find the Tools You Need to Get Started on Your Degree

Scholarships for Teaching Majors The Student's Guide to Higher Planning The Student's Guide to Financial Help and the FAFSA

What Are the Access Requirements for an Online Bachelor'southward in Science Education Plan?

Admission requirements for on-campus and online bachelor's in science programs are typically similar. Some schools may require a virtual interview with an enrollment advisor. Applicants should make sure their prospective program meets their land's instructor pedagogy requirements.

Application

Students may submit their college applications through a schoolhouse's online portal or website. Many schools too use platforms such as Common App, which allows students to use a single awarding for multiple schools. Awarding forms frequently asking contact data, standardized test scores, GPA, awards received in high school, and extracurricular activities.

Test Scores

Nigh schools request SAT or ACT scores. Today, many colleges make college entrance exams optional. In these cases, students should consider including exam scores only if they would make their application stronger. Highly competitive colleges may listing minimum test scores on their freshman admission requirements.

Letters of Recommendation

Many online bachelor of scientific discipline programs do not asking letters of recommendation from first-time students. All schools vary, so make sure to review this requirement. If requested, the best references come from high schoolhouse guidance counselors, teachers, and supervisors. Ask for these messages in advance to ensure they get in earlier the awarding borderline.

Essays

The college application essay or personal statement helps colleges understand applicants across their grades and test scores. An essay also demonstrates the applicant's writing ability, an of import consideration in college readiness. Generally, colleges want to know virtually students' goals, students' determinative experiences, and why they want to attend that particular school.

Official Transcripts

Students must submit official transcripts from high school and any postsecondary institutions previously attended. Many schools offer generous transfer credit policies.

Students may also submit GED credentials. Many programs crave a minimum two.5 high school GPA. Some schools consider college entrance exams and other criteria for students with lower GPAs.

What Can I Practise With an Online Bachelor'south in Science Instruction Degree?

Career Outlook

Science teachers are in loftier need beyond the U.S., as are teachers in mathematics, strange languages, and special education. The Economic Policy Institute projects that the schoolhouse instructor shortage could result in 200,000 job openings past 2024. Supply cannot meet need for qualified teachers and STEM educators.

This growing demand results in increased wages. For instance, high schoolhouse teachers earned a average annual salary of $67,340 every bit of May 2020, co-ordinate to the BLS. However, teachers working in New York, a specially high-demand state, earned an boilerplate of $88,890.

Non all graduates pursue positions as schoolhouse teachers. Some work every bit science educators in youth facilities, museums, zoos, or other organizations. The post-obit are common career paths for graduates. Go on in mind that public schoolhouse teaching positions require certification. Individual schools set their own criteria.

Run across where a available'south in science instruction tin take you. Learn more than virtually teaching careers and the near popular higher majors.

Career Paths

Loftier School Teacher

High school teachers usually instruct students in grades ix-12. They present scientific concepts, including gathering data to back up scientific hypotheses. In addition to classroom instruction, these teachers utilise science labs for hands-on exploration of chemistry, biology, or physics. Additional responsibilities include developing lesson plans, demonstrating science experiments, and grading assignments.

Median Annual Salary: $62,870

Heart School Teacher

Middle schoolhouse teachers generally teach grades half-dozen-8, though the grades vary among districts. In many schools, these teachers specialize in their core subjects. In smaller, rural communities, they may teach a single form covering all subjects. These teachers assess students' abilities and develop lesson plans. When not didactics, they may provide lunchtime supervision or autobus athletic teams.

Median Almanac Bacon: $sixty,810

Elementary School Teacher

Elementary schoolhouse teachers may teach children from grades one-v. These educators usually teach several subjects throughout the mean solar day. In some schools, these teachers work in teams. For example, ane teacher may instruct children in science and math, and the other assumes responsibility for social studies and English. Many utilize experiential learning to help younger students grasp abstract concepts.

Median Annual Salary: $60,660

Educational Editor

These professionals edit science textbooks or scientific journals. Educational editors ensure the content is authentic. They enquiry resources and topic development. In journals, they may decide what articles to publish to peak scientists' involvement and cover the hot topics in specific fields. Some journals receive many submissions, requiring editors to sift through a big volume of manuscripts.

Average Annual Salary (March 2022): $55,610

Museum Technician

Museum technicians' roles vary significantly based on the museum's type, location, and size. These professionals may answer the public's questions regarding artifacts and exhibitions. They also help create exhibits and coordinate acquisitions, including loans from other museums. The BLS projects 19% job growth for museum workers from 2020-2030, a much faster charge per unit than the average for all occupations.

Median Annual Salary: $52,140

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Standing Education

Some students use an online scientific discipline education caste as a stepping stone for graduate studies. Earning a primary'due south may offer additional career opportunities and increased earning potential. Co-ordinate to the BLS, in 2020, bachelor's in education graduates earned a median weekly wage of $1,305. Master'due south degree-holders made $1,545.

Earning a main's caste can lead to management positions and roles as instructional coordinators, museum curators, and community higher teachers. Encounter beneath for common continuing educational activity paths:

  • Master'southward in Science Education
  • Primary's in Pedagogy
  • Master's in Public Assistants
  • Main's in Curriculum and Pedagogy

How Practise I Choose an Online Bachelor's in Science Education Program?

Cost

On-campus and online tuition costs for bachelor'due south in science educational activity programs vary past schoolhouse type and residency status. According to the College Board, in 2020, public colleges charged an average of $10,560 for in-state students and $27,020 for out-of-land students. Private nonprofit universities came in at $37,650.

Some online programs do not accuse out-of-country fees and offering relatively low almanac tuition rates. For example, the online BS in scientific discipline education from Western Governors University costs just $3,475 per term. Additional costs for online students include books, fees, and supplies.

Plan Format

Online programs offer several learning formats. Synchronous programs usually crave weekly scheduled virtual grade sessions. Asynchronous learning allows students to access online lectures and assignments at their own pace. Other options to consider include role-time or full-time enrollment and accelerated tracks, which atomic number 82 to quicker completion.

Location

Location also plays a role in program choice. Some online programs crave on-campus participation. Aspiring teachers should make sure their prospective program would help them qualify for teaching licensure in their state. Additionally, some online programs may charge out-of-state fees. Learn more about on-campus versus online programs.

Accreditation

College accreditation ensures that a school and program meet high educational standards. Attending a regionally accredited college qualifies students for federal financial assistance. Credits from regionally accredited schools transfer more hands as well. Programmatic accreditation tin affect job prospects and eligibility for teaching certification. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Grooming accredits bachelor's in science instruction programs.

Educatee Support

Student back up services can play a disquisitional role in students' success. Colleges offering varying levels of student support for online learners. Some provide one-on-one tutoring and scheduled virtual online workshops to support learning. Other online student services include career services, internship placement, and mentorship programs.

All-time Accredited Online Bachelor'due south in Scientific discipline Education Programs

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Best Bachelor'due south in Science Education Programs

  1. Western Governors University

    Location

    Table salt Lake City, UT

    WGU is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and serves over 121,000 altitude learners each twelvemonth. The academy's comprehensive academic catalog includes v online bachelor of science in scientific discipline education programs.

    Students tin pursue a bachelor'south in science education for physics, chemical science, world science, and biology. They can also enroll in a scientific discipline educational activity track specifically for futurity educators who want to teach middle school.

    Applicants must pass a basic skills test for their domicile state. Some of WGU'due south teacher education programs do not accept learners from certain U.Due south. states; prospective students should ostend their eligibility with an enrollment counselor. WGU'due south education programs are accredited past the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

  2. Midway offers over 30 certificates and degrees, including an online available's degree in education studies with a science emphasis. Considering this 120-credit caste does not atomic number 82 to initial instruction licensure, the programme serves students who want to teach outside the U.Southward., work in administrative/paraprofessional positions, or immediately pursue a main'south degree.

    Required coursework covers topics similar classroom direction theory and multicultural instruction. Learners proceeds easily-on experience through a practicum. They can utilise 22-28 elective credits to take advanced major coursework or consummate a complementary modest. The university powers distance education with the Moodle platform.

    To qualify for enrollment, showtime-year applicants should take a minimum ii.5 GPA. Midway also prefers applicants who score at least 18 on the Human activity or the equivalent on the Sat.

  3. About 20,000 students at SPC take online classes, and the school offers more than 50 programs to distance learners. This includes an online available of science in middle grades full general science pedagogy programme, which serves as a caste completion pathway.

    Major cadre courses include physical science for heart grades teachers, introduction to environmental science, and interactive projects that promote learning in scientific discipline. Participants likewise consummate 160 clock hours of field experiences and a xv-week internship. Graduates prepare for science teaching positions in grades 5-9.

    Applicants should have an associate degree or at to the lowest degree lx credits earned at an accredited establishment with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students should have also passed all sections of Florida'southward Full general Knowledge test.

Frequently Asked Questions Nearly Available's in Scientific discipline Didactics Programs

Is a bachelor's in science instruction worth it? true

Yes. Students passionate about science and sharing their knowledge with children and adolescents may notice that a bachelor'southward in science education leads to a rewarding career. The present need for teachers, particularly in Stem fields, results in high demand.

Today'due south online accredited programs offer the same level of didactics and employee recognition as their on-campus counterparts.

Most science educational activity programs offer concentrations and then students can focus on their field of interest. Possible specializations include chemical science, physics, earth science, and biology. Students may likewise use this degree equally a stepping rock to graduate programs that may offer higher earning potential and increased job opportunities.

What can I practice with a bachelor'south in science education? true

Most science teaching majors pursue careers as unproblematic, middle, or high school teachers. Some graduates besides work equally science educators outside of the classroom, in youth facilities, museums, zoos, and other organizations. Others use their writing and scientific discipline abilities to work for science journals or textbook publishers, editing content.

Students may also apply this degree to propel them to graduate school. A master's in education can lead to leadership roles like principal or schoolhouse administrator and teaching positions at customs colleges. A master's in curriculum development can authorize students for roles every bit instructional coordinators and educational consultants.

Are science education majors in need? true

Science teachers are experiencing high demand due to a severe national shortage of qualified teachers in Stalk and other fields. Axios Media reported that some schoolhouse districts are resorting to sending support staff, such as custodians and passenger vehicle drivers, to college for instructor training.

The BLS reported that, on average, over 270,000 teachers are expected to get out their job every yr from 2016-2026. In improver to the number of teachers leaving the labor force or transitioning to some other career, increasing pupil enrollments too propel the demand for qualified teachers.

How much money tin can I make with a bachelor'due south in scientific discipline education?

Salaries for those with a bachelor's in science educational activity vary based on the employer, position, location, and feel level. For example, the BLS reports that high schoolhouse teachers earn a median almanac salary of $62,870 every bit of May 2020. In public schools, that figure rises to $63,400, while private elementary and secondary schoolhouse teachers earn $58,550.

Many teachers work ten months and accept off for 2 months in the summer. Some of these teachers keep teaching in summertime school, receiving extra income. Science didactics majors who excel in writing and scientific discipline may too piece of work every bit scientific discipline editors. PayScale reports that education editors earned an average salary of $54,910 every bit of December 2021.

What are the highest paying jobs with a bachelor's in science education?

The salary for middle schoolhouse and high school teachers varies dramatically. The top 10% of earners brand median salaries exceeding $98,840 and $102,130, respectively.

States besides experience unlike levels of teacher shortages. This strong demand and brusque supply translate to college earnings. According to the BLS, New York reports the highest pay for middle schoolhouse teachers, with an average annual salary of $89,150. High school teachers in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey earn average wages of $86,900, $84,130, and $78,900, respectively.

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