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Secondary Education, BSE - Chemistry

Degree for Chemistry Teachers

High school chemistry teachers have a unique opportunity to engage their students in “the central science” and lay a strong foundation for generations of critical service providers such as doctors, veterinarians and pharmacists. Learn how to ignite your students’ curiosity with a Secondary Education BSE in Chemistry at the University of Central Missouri, where high-quality teacher training has been part of our purpose since 1871.

This Secondary Education program prepares you for the numerous jobs for chemistry teachers available in today’s middle and high schools. Our undergraduate program will ensure that you head into your future classroom with a strong science education, a deep understanding of teaching methods and adolescent development, extensive experience in real classrooms and working knowledge of the field’s latest technology and equipment. 

Accredited program for chemistry teachers 

National accreditation matters when you’re comparing chemistry teacher colleges. A degree from a nationally recognized program builds trust immediately with future employers and graduate schools. UCM’s Chemistry program, where you’ll be taking many courses in your content area, has been accredited by the American Chemical Society for its academic rigor. Our Secondary Education program is fully accredited by the National Association of Science Teachers.

Certification

After completing this degree, you will be eligible to apply for educator certification in grades 9-12 Chemistry, as well as unified science certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

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Chemistry program accredited by ACS

NSTA

NSTA-accredited Education program

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Leader among Chemistry teacher colleges

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Student-centered learning

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Cutting-edge chemistry labs

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100% chemistry teacher job placement

What you will study

UCM’s Secondary Education degree in Chemistry brings you the best of two worlds: expert education to enrich your understanding of the science and time-tested training that has produced countless successful chemistry teachers.

You’ll begin your four-year chemistry teacher program with fundamental science and general education courses. In your sophomore year, you’ll begin to spend time in real classrooms in Missouri, at first observing and then teaching chemistry classes. 

As the semesters go on, you’ll take on more advanced science projects in your UCM classes and spend increasing amounts of time in the field. By the time you reach your final semester, you’ll have the scientific background and educational tools to ensure your success as a full-time student teacher.

Chemistry teacher colleges offer training in your discipline, as well as in educational theory and best practices. At the University of Central Missouri, we prepare future chemistry teachers for their careers with classes such as:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Science and Engineering Practices
  • Introduction to English Language Learners and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
  • Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
  • Science Teaching Methods

 

Excellence in Secondary Education

  • Science Education program is recognized by the National Association of Science Teachers (NSTA).
  • Chemistry program is also accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
  • 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 in chemistry teacher education

Jobs for chemistry teachers require hands-on experience, so you feel confident running your own classroom. 

  • Student teaching: Put your growing knowledge into practice with over 100 hours of real classroom experience even before your studies culminate in a semester of running your own classroom in a local school.
  • Undergraduate research projects: Develop your critical and creative thinking and research techniques as you collaborate with faculty and fellow students, building long-lasting mentor relationships.
  • Professional meetings: Our future chemistry teachers are encouraged to present their research at state, regional and national meetings. These are opportunities for you to engage with the latest chemistry research and gain global perspective as you network with researchers from around the world. Our Secondary Education majors have participated in the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), the Argonne Symposium and many more.
  • Student clubs: UCM sponsors an active chapter of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates on campus. As a Secondary Education major in Chemistry, you’ll be encouraged to participate in this student-led group and its presentation and networking events.

 

What can you do with a Chemistry Teacher degree from UCM?

High school chemistry teachers have the opportunity to engage students in this exciting discipline at a critical stage of their development. You’ll be able to interpret scientific concepts for your students, demonstrate how ideas and applications in chemistry relate to each other and create a safe science lab environment for conducting experiments.

You’ll be fully prepared to work in jobs for chemistry teachers in grades 9–12 once you earn your BSE and apply for certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our attentive faculty will work with you every step of the way.

Jobs for chemistry teachers

Nearly all our graduates are immediately employed by a Missouri school district. Use our interactive tool below to find out more about typical salaries, career paths and market trends.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Chemistry BSE

Providing affordable, high-quality education for teachers has been a priority at the University of Central Missouri for 150 years and counting. Our tuition rates are lower than many in the state and in the country, keeping our commitment to making excellent education accessible to everyone. We make it easy to finance your college degree and graduate with low student debt. We want new chemistry teachers to be able to focus on their students, not their bills. 

Multiple scholarships are available specifically for Secondary Education majors in Chemistry.

  • UCM Scholarship Finder: Search our database of scholarship options that may be available to you as a Chemistry BSE student.
  • Work-study opportunities: Get paid to work within the department assisting in the lab, grading, providing tutoring services and more.

 

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Take your degree further.

 

Maximize your career opportunities by returning to UCM for further study.

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Explore programs related to chemistry.

 

If you’re still deciding whether or not jobs for chemistry teachers are a good fit for you, consider degrees in these related disciplines: 

Student Learning Outcomes

You will use the knowledge and skills obtained in this program to:

  • Interpret and interrelate important science concepts, ideas, and applications in the fields of licensure.
  • Recognize and employ science-learning approaches for all students.
  • Plan for engaging all students in science learning by setting appropriate goals that are consistent with theories of learning as well as national science standards.
  • Create safe science lab environments for students.
  • Conduct preliminary data collection and present evidence of student science learning as a result of the instruction.
  • Propose educational research study about challenges of learning science in science classroom settings.
  • Participate in research and professional development opportunities in both areas of science and science education.

 

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UCM is the longest continuously CAEP accredited public institution in Missouri

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UCM’s Science Education programs are recognized by National Association of Science Teachers (NSTA)

 

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