What you will study
The University of Central Missouri’s science education courses provide a balance of
minds-on and hands-on learning. You’ll learn how to provide students with this same
balance when you teach biology in your own classroom.
Coursework for our Biology Teaching degrees covers educational theory and practice
and dives deep into the content area. You’ll also take an array of general arts and
sciences classes to ensure you receive a well-rounded undergraduate education.
Over the four-year program, you’ll gradually spend more time doing field work, gaining
valuable experience that will build your confidence when it comes time to teach biology
on your own.
In your classes, you’ll study topics such as:
- Life-Span Development: Study theories of human development, the ways in which growth is the same across individuals
and how it differs.
- Genetics: Explore modular and classical genetics in the classroom, as well as in the lab. Your
experiments will use Mendelian genetics and DNA technology.
- Secondary Teaching and Behavioral Management: Better understand how students learn and how to teach biology while managing adolescent
behavior with compassion in the classroom. Grow your lesson planning and component
teaching skills.
Excellence in Biology Education
- Science Education program is accredited by the National Association of Science Teachers
(NSTA).
- Continuously recognized by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Longer than
any other public institution in Missouri.
- Top 15% of Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- One of the Most Focused Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- One of the Most Focused Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 4.5% of the Most Popular Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 5% of Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual,
2022)
- Top 10% of Best Value in Education (College Factual, 2021)
Unique learning opportunities for biology teachers
Learn how to teach biology in UCM’s supportive environment, rich with opportunities
for participation in real-world classrooms. Experience first-hand the difference that
a hands-on, minds-on approach makes to the learning process.
- Networking: While you’re learning how to become a biology teacher, you’ll have many opportunities
to engage with local educators and school administrators. This strong network often
leads to jobs for UCM graduates with biology teaching degrees. It can also be a source
of support, not just during your college years but throughout your career.
- Student groups: Join honor societies, the Student Missouri State Teachers Association and scientific
clubs. Groups like these extend your network of peers and are a great resource for
professional development opportunities. For example, members have presented research
at local, statewide or national meetings.
- Local classrooms: As a student teacher, you’ll spend more than 100 hours observing and practicing how
to teach biology in local schools as a lead-up to your final semester.
What can you do with a Biology Teaching degree from UCM?
Earning your Secondary Education BSE in Biology is the biggest step in how to become
a biology teacher in Missouri high schools. The University of Central Missouri’s teaching
degrees are designed to prepare you for the final step, applying for educator certification
through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
With your BSE and certification, you’ll be fully qualified to teach in any high school
science classroom in the state. Biology teachers, with their broad base of scientific
understanding and ability to teach a wide range of high school science classes, are
often sought out by school districts even before they graduate from UCM.
Some high school biology teachers choose to return to the University of Central Missouri’s
respected education program and pursue another degree. UCM’s graduate Biology Teaching
degrees position you to be more competitive for a wider array of jobs and open more
doors as your career matures.
More on career paths with a biology teaching degree
Use our interactive tool to discover how the job market for biology teachers has historically
performed, what it may look like in the future, what biology teachers typically earn
and more.
Financial assistance options for your Biology Teaching degree
At the University of Central Missouri, we believe that Biology Teaching degrees should
be affordable for our students. We’ve kept our tuition low and our standards high
for 150 years and counting. We award financial aid to over 92% of our students and
have been recognized nationally for our commitment to low student debt.
We offer many university-wide options to finance your Biology Teaching degree, such as scholarships, assistantships, awards and grants.
Learn more about scholarships for future biology teachers at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Outstanding Job Prospects
Biology teachers are in demand across Missouri
If you’re wondering not just how to become a biology teacher but also why you should
want to be one, consider your job opportunities. Biology teachers are the most sought-after
high school science educators and many of UCM’s students are recruited even before
they graduate.
Be Prepared for a Changing World
Technology and tools for adaptation
The University of Central Missouri has been educating teachers since 1871, and we
continue to find ways to innovate. You’ll learn how to become a biology teacher in
our modern labs designed for the needs of pre-service educators. You’ll also study
forward-thinking theory that will ensure you can adapt to the changing needs of your
students and the technology that’s available for classrooms.
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