Online Science in Education Degree Programs

School science programs have come under increasing scrutiny as U.S. students continue to underperform in math and science compared to their peers in other developed nations. The No Child Left Behind Act represents one of the federal efforts aimed at boosting science achievement in the elementary and secondary school classroom. Online degrees in Science Teacher Licensure and Science in Education are part of a nationwide effort to raise the bar of science education. Offered at both the bachelor's and master's degree level, these programs are designed to train teachers and administrators to implement more rigorous science programs in K-12 schools.

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Bachelor's Degree in Science Teacher Licensure or Science in Education

This four-year degree offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to help aspiring science teachers achieve their state teaching license and learn techniques for teaching science in the K-12 classroom. The program culminates in a one-year supervised student teaching internship, allowing students to apply what they've learned in an elementary or secondary school classroom. Online bachelor's degree programs, which are self-paced and may be completed from a home office, satisfy the applied teacher training requirement by arranging an internship at a local school. In addition to a bachelor's degree and a student teaching internship, most states require passing a state licensure exam.

Master of Science (MS) or Master of Education (MEd) in Science in Education

The MS or MEd in Science Education is designed for teachers who want to update their classroom strategies or aspiring administrators who want to take a more active role in developing and implementing effective science education programs. The programs focus on curriculum development and educational policy, including cutting-edge research in the field of science pedagogy. Course titles include:

Applications of Technology in Science Education
Educational Research Methodology
Conceptual Development in Science
Elementary/Secondary School Science Curriculum
Assessment of Learning in Science Programs

The master's degree program culminates in a capstone or thesis project involving independent research.

Online master's degree programs allow teachers to achieve this important qualification while continuing to teach in the classroom. A concurrent work-study strategy allows teachers to apply their learning directly in the classroom, and offers a basis for the graduate research project.

Career Outlook for Science Educators and Administrators

Qualified science teachers and administrators are in high demand in K-12 schools. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that elementary school teachers earned $50,040 in 2007, and secondary school teachers earned $52,450. Science teachers with a specialized education degree tend to earn in the upper range of reported salaries, which hover in the $60,000 to $75,000 range. Education administrators, who typically have a graduate degree in the field, commanded an estimated $82,120 in 2007. Career outlook is strong throughout science education, as government policies and funding favor science teaching and curriculum development.