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Science Teacher Major for Military And Veterans

Science Teacher Degree Major

Are you interested in being a science teacher but don’t know how to accomplish it? Some schools have specific Science Teacher Degree programs, but many do not. Some students major in science and attain a teaching certificate, while others work toward a General Education Degree and take science courses in addition to their major.

Requirements vary from state to state and from school system to school system—what a public school requires, a private school may not. All states require a teaching certificate or license endorsing them as a science instructor.

Private schools have different requirements that vary from school to school and location to location. College-level teaching typically requires a Doctorate.

Using the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance for a Science Teacher Degree

If you’re interested in pursuing a Science Teacher Degree and need financial help. In that case, the GI Bill, a military education benefit for service members in the Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard and their eligible dependents, covers tuition and fees, provides a monthly housing allowance, and offers additional money for books and supplies.

The GI Bill assists veterans’ transition into civilian life by offering them opportunities to further their education, acquire new skills, and find better jobs.

Using Spouse Tuition Assistance (STAP) and MyCAA for a Science Teacher Degree

Spouse Tuition Assistance

When seeking a Science Teacher Degree, military spouse tuition assistance programs help military spouses (and sometimes dependent children) pay for their education, whether they are in the U.S. or stationed elsewhere in the world.

All military branches once offered programs following Spouse Tuition Assistance (STAP) guidelines or created something similar. Today, individuals and organizations use the term STAP interchangeably to describe various offerings by military relief organizations, but the programs can differ.

STAP now refers to the education benefits offered by military aid societies, many of which the U.S. military branches and the federal government do not run.  Instead, they are private, nonprofit organizations, and what they provide varies.

These organizations include:
  • Army Emergency Relief
  • Air Force Aid Society
  • Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society
  • Coast Guard Foundation

MyCAA

The workforce development program MyCAA, formally known as the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, provides financial assistance of up to $4,000 ($2,000 over two years) to eligible military spouses pursuing or maintaining a Science Teacher Degree, certification, or license.

As long as an individual meets the requirements, MyCAA will pay for spouses pursuing any occupation or career.

Careers With a Science Teacher Major

Once a student earns a degree and certification or license to teach, there are a number of roles they can attain. According to Northwestern State University, the options include:
  • Elementary School Teacher
  • Middle School Teacher
  • High School Teacher
  • Biology Professor
  • Chemistry Professor
  • Environmental Science Professor
  • Physics Professor
  • School Principal
  • School Superintendent
  • Tutor

What To Expect From a Military-Friendly Science Teacher  Degree Program

Teaching positions require at least a Bachelor’s Degree and certificate that meets a state’s teaching requirements. Depending on the school, some students may major in general education and take science classes, while others may be  science education majors.

For example, Northeastern State University’s Science Education Degree offers students the option of three different areas of study—biology, chemistry and earth space science.

Northeastern’s biology program prepares students to teach middle school science and high school biology as well as the physical and earth sciences. Its chemistry program prepares them to teach middle school science and high school chemistry, as well as the physical and parth Sciences. Its earth space science program prepares students to teach middle school science and high school earth science, in addition to physical and geoscience courses.

Cal State University Long Beach (CSULB) does things differently. Once you earn your Bachelor's in Science, you enter a teaching credential program through its Science Education Department. Contact the school of your choice to find out what they offer.

Select Yellow Ribbon Colleges with Science Teacher Degree Programs

  • Western Governors University: Western Governors University offers Bachelor’s, Master’s Degrees and certificate programs in Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education and General Education.
  • Kansas State University: Kansas State University offers an Associate’s and Bachelor’s  Degree in General Education and a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Earth Science Teacher Education.
  • Upper Iowa University: Upper Iowa University offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education.
  • Pfeiffer University: Pfeiffer University offers a Bachelor’s Degrees in Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education.

Select Military-Friendly Colleges with Science Teacher Degree Programs

  • Xavier University: Xavier University offers Bachelor’s Degrees Biology Teacher Education, Chemistry Teacher Education, Physics Teacher Education, and Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education.
  • Canisius College: Canisius College offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching, Secondary Education and Teaching and Teacher Education, Multiple Levels. It also offers a certificate program in Secondary Education and Teaching and a Master’s Degree in General Education.
  • Marist College: Marist College offers Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology Teacher Education and Chemistry Teacher Education.
  • Tiffin University: Tiffin University offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching.

Online Programs

Many schools, like Walden University, Grand Canyon University, and Purdue Global, have online degrees for undergraduate and graduate studies in science education. Check with the school of your choice to see their online offerings.

Science Teacher Degree Paths Using the GI Bill

Certificates in Science Teaching

All states require students interested in teaching to have certification for public school employment. Some private schools may also require certification, but it is not mandatory.

A teaching certificate allows educators to teach students at elementary, middle and high school levels. To get certified, students must complete a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited teacher-training program and pass a skills test. Depending on the state,  teaching certificate renewal occurs every four to eight years.

Associate’s Degree in Science Teaching

While there are a few schools that offer Associate’s Degrees in Education, students typically do not teach middle or high school with a two year degree. But they can teach lower grades or continue their studies to Bachelor-level coursework.

Your Future With an Associate’s Degree in Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science Teaching

Public schools and some in the private sector require a Bachelor’s Degree and certification. This four-year degree prepares students to teach science at various levels, combining scientific knowledge with education coursework.

Your Future with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Teaching

Master’s Degree in Science Teaching

According to CSULB, a Master of Science in Science Education “is designed for educators with some experience who wish to improve their understanding of science learning, effective teaching, and current issues that impact our educational systems…M.S. students develop a deeper understanding of science and how people learn in ways that support their current practices both in and beyond the classroom.”

Your Future with a Master’s Degree in Science Teaching

Doctoral Degrees in Science Teaching

Doctoral Degrees in Science Teaching prepare students for leading roles in science education. Students are science teachers at higher education facilities, conduct research and publish findings.

Your Future with a PhD in Science Teaching