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College of Applied Human Sciences School of Education and Counseling

Secondary Science Education, BS

Be ready to lead your own science classroom with confidence. The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Science Education prepares you to earn teaching certification in the science field that interests you most. You’ll choose from 4 content and certification specializations: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or General Science. Whichever path you choose, you’ll graduate with more than 900 hours of field and clinical experience in public school classrooms, including more than 125 hours of field observation before a yearlong residency in your final year. Science teachers are in demand nationwide, and the preparation you gain here will give you the confidence to step into any classroom or laboratory.

You can also customize your path. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to apply transfer credits, pursue general education electives or add a minor or second major, particularly in your science field of interest. Depending on placement availability and program approval, you may also have the option to complete your final-year residency in your home community.

Coursework is informed by state and national standards and certification requirements, with a focus on the specialized work of teaching science: understanding students and how they learn, curriculum design, instructional strategies, and school contexts. Faculty are active in the field as educators and scholars, bringing relevant expertise to your preparation.

Your Degree Plan

Education students build a learning aid from cardboard tubes.
This program prepares you to become a certified science teacher in your chosen specialization: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or General Science. You’ll build deep content knowledge in the sciences alongside coursework focused on how students learn, then apply what you’ve learned in local school classrooms beginning in your junior year. In your final year, you’ll take part in a yearlong residency, spending half your time in a school classroom in the fall and moving to a full-time placement in the spring. That experience gives you the confidence and preparation to step into your own classroom.

The coursework in the BS in Secondary Science Education program combines rigorous science content in your specialization with courses focused on the work of teaching.

Science Content
Your coursework depends on your certification specialization. Biology students study cellular and molecular biology, physiology, and ecology and evolution. Chemistry students progress through analytical and organic chemistry. Physics students move from general physics into modern physics. General Science students build breadth across earth systems, geology, biology, chemistry, and physics. Every specialization includes laboratory work and coursework across multiple scientific disciplines, along with courses in the history and philosophy of science and practical applications in science teaching.

Teaching Science
A 2-course methods sequence focuses specifically on teaching and learning science in secondary schools, preparing you to design instruction that engages students in scientific thinking and investigation.

Professional Courses
Core education coursework prepares you to work with all learners. You’ll study how to support students through place-based and emotionally responsive teaching, differentiated instruction, reading in the content areas and special education in contemporary society. Throughout, you’ll apply what you’re learning during field and clinical placements in local schools.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Add a Minor or Second Major

The program’s built-in flexibility makes it possible to add a minor or second major, particularly in your science field of interest, deepening your content expertise and expanding your career options.

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • Four certification specializations. Choose the path that fits your interests: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or General Science. Each specialization leads to certification in that field.
  • Complete more than 900 hours of work in schools to practice your teaching and prepare you to enter the profession. You’ll complete more than 125 hours of field observation before your residency, working in a variety of public school classrooms with diverse student populations.
  • Teacher-in-Residency. Spend your entire final year in a school classroom, with a half-time placement in the fall and a full-time placement in the spring, working alongside an experienced mentor teacher.
  • Built-in certification support. The program prepares you for key certification milestones, including the Praxis II content exam in your specialization and the edTPA performance assessment, with ongoing support from academic advisers and career development specialists in the CAHS Office of Student Success.
  • Expert faculty. You’ll learn from faculty who are active in the field as educators and scholars, bringing relevant and robust expertise to their teaching.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Starting in your junior year, you’ll spend time in local school classrooms every semester through field experience courses. During your senior year, you’ll take part in a yearlong residency, giving you the opportunity to be immersed in a school community, build strong relationships with students and colleagues, and be treated as a vital member of the school’s educational team.
Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

EDUC 485: Residency/Technology Capstone in Secondary Education.

This course is the capstone experience for the Secondary Science Education program. Students submit a portfolio for the performance assessments required for certification, and a weekly seminar includes discussion of topics applicable to the classroom, technology, and analysis of planning, teaching, and assessment.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Secondary School Teachers

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Median Salary: $64,580

Possible Job Titles: English Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher

Explore Career

Middle School Teachers

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

Median Salary: $62,970

Possible Job Titles: Language Arts Teacher (LA Teacher), Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Science Teacher Teacher

Explore Career

Tutors

Instruct individual students or small groups of students in academic subjects to support formal class instruction or to prepare students for standardized or admissions tests.

Median Salary: $40,090

Possible Job Titles: Academic Coach, Academic Guidance Specialist, Professional Tutor, Tutor

Explore Career

Instructional Coordinators

Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $74,720

Possible Job Titles: Curriculum and Instruction Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Instructional Designer, Instructional Technologist

Explore Career

Further your education

WVU graduate programs to consider:

Meet Your Community

The Secondary Science Education family will inspire you.

Jeffrey Carver

Portrait of Jeffrey Carver

Professional Highlights

  • 20 years' experience in the educational field
  • Directs STEM Education Initiatives at the College of Applied Human Services
  • Research interests focus on the improvement of teaching and learning in the STEM disciplines at all levels (p-20)

Melissa Luna

Portrait of Melissa Luna

Professional Highlights

  • Journal of the Learning Sciences Reviewer of the Year, 2022-2023
  • CAHS Associate Dean for Research and Engagement, 2022-2023
  • CEHS Associate Dean for Research, 2019-2022
  • WVU CEHS Outstanding Researcher Award, 2018
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2016

Yuanhua Wang

Portrait of Yuanhua Wang

Professional Highlights

  • Areas of expertise: Science teacher education and computational thinking
  • Research interests: Science inquiry and inquiry teaching, teacher's knowledge in STEM education, and computational thinking in science teacher education

Places and Spaces

See where you’ll study, research, and create.

Student sitting on a blue sofa in the Allen Hall lounge

Allen Hall Lounge

Education students gather in the lounge area in Allen Hall for snacks, coffee, and cocoa between classes. The space offers an opportunity to students to connect with peers and faculty.
Main entrance of Mountaineer Middle School

Local Middle and High Schools

Students complete field and clinical residency placements in local, partner middle and high schools, working closely with experienced teachers and diverse student populations.

Virtual Tour

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Student Life

You'll experience epic traditions, quality academics, and a supportive community that feels like home.

Visit

See WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Secondary Science Education major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Secondary Science Education at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Secondary Science Education, BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

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