Undergraduate and graduate degree programs
are available entirely online for prospective students who want to
pursue careers as science teachers. Undergraduate programs are designed
to educate students in the specific field of science in which they plan
to teach, and some programs lead to teacher licensure. Graduate programs
assist current teachers in achieving their academic goals as secondary
educators.
Overview of an Online Bachelor's Degree Program in Science
There are a variety of undergraduate online degree programs in
science that can facilitate the career goals of future science teachers.
Prospective students can enroll in a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree
program in
biology,
chemistry or physics that leads to teacher licensure. Students may also
complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in applied or
laboratory sciences, and then complete teacher licensure requirements
after graduation. All programs train participants in fundamental science
concepts that will be the focus of curricula for science teachers.
A typical B.A. or B.S. degree program in science takes between
120-130 semester hours. If students are enrolled full-time, they may
complete the degree program in four years. Many programs are available
entirely online, but others require students to complete student
teaching internships or fulfill laboratory requirements at an approved
local facility. Additionally, some institutions require students to take
proctored exams. Courses are administered in both synchronous and
asynchronous formats; asynchronous classes allow students to work at
their own pace within broad parameters.
Students must have a computer with a high-speed Internet connection,
an updated operating system and an approved browser. Course material is
delivered through websites, downloadable lectures and streaming
multimedia. In order to access multimedia presentations, the computer
must have a media player.
List of Common Online Bachelor's Degree Program Courses in Science
Undergraduate degree programs in science have general education
requirements in subjects including mathematics, English, social sciences
and the humanities. These courses are either part of the curriculum or
must be completed at an approved institution prior to enrollment.
Meteorology for Educators Course
This course instructs prospective educators in the fundamental
concepts of atmosphere and atmospheric conditions. Students make
predictions of hypothetical and actual weather system patterns through
the analysis of current data.
Sustainable Chemistry for Educators Course
Future high-school teachers learn to develop curricula and lesson
plans that utilize recyclable and reusable laboratory chemicals.
Educators work within EPA guidelines to design experiments that use
environmentally friendly chemicals for students to work with.
Microbiology for Educators Course
Participants are trained to develop lesson plans that incorporate
basic concepts in microbiology for primary school science courses.
Concepts include cell biology, genetics and relationships between
microorganisms and humans and the environment.
Graduates of an undergraduate degree program in science are prepared to earn their teaching licensure through the board
of education
in the state in which they plan to teach. According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics (BLS), middle school teachers accounted for 665,420
jobs in 2009 (
www.bls.gov). The BLS reported that the mean annual
wage for this occupation in 2009 was $53,550, and the projected
employment growth for all teachers for grades K-12 is expected to be 13%
between 2008 and 2018.
Overview of an Online Master's Degree Program in Science Education
Master's degree programs in science education are structured to
assist working educators in achieving a higher level of expertise in
their field. Program titles include Master of Education, Master of
Science and Master of Arts. Programs are widely available, and focus
in-depth on interdisciplinary fields of earth and natural sciences.
Students must have obtained a bachelor's degree, and some institutions
require applicants to have at least one year of teaching experience
prior to enrollment.
The average length of a master's degree program in science education
is between 30 and 33 credit-hours, and can be completed in two years.
Programs are offered in both hybrid and completely online formats. Most
programs allow for participants to work at their own pace in an
asynchronous format. Course material is administered through websites
and downloadable multimedia.
List of Common Master's Degree Courses in Science Education
Programs often allow for students to select a thesis or non-thesis
curriculum option, which can affect the overall length of the degree
program. A non-thesis master's may still include original research or a
project that needs to be defended before faculty members. Subjects
studied in a natural science Master of Arts might include:
Research in Science Education Course
This course provides a survey into current issues in science
education research. Emphasis is placed on types of quantitative and
qualitative research analysis and documenting.
Contemporary Curriculum Course
Course participants examine current lesson plans and programs in
place at various schools. Subject matter includes the introduction of
new courses and materials into existing curriculum.
Cell Biology Course
Educators learn strategies to teach cellular biology to high-school
students. Topics include cell regulation, structure, division, growth
and signaling.
Graduates of a master's degree program in science education are
qualified to work as high-school teachers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics cited a mean annual wage for this occupation of $55,150 in
2009 (
www.bls.gov). This same source reported in 2008 that secondary school teachers held 1,087,700 jobs during that year.
No comments:
Post a Comment