Best Online Science Education Degree Programs

If you enjoy studying the periodic table or visiting observatories and science museums, you may find an online bachelor’s in science education program fascinating and rewarding.

Earning this degree from a top online college may lead to a career teaching science at the K-12 level or sharing your passion in museums and youth camps. The degree can also serve as a stepping stone to graduate school.

The U.S. is experiencing a severe shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in science and mathematics. A survey conducted by Frontline Education found that 2 out of 3 school systems reported shortages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, middle school teachers earned a median annual salary of $64,290 as of May 2023.

A bachelor’s in science education takes about four years to complete. The College Board reports that average tuition and fees for a bachelor’s degree ranged from $8,760-$37,500 for the 2020-21 academic year.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Success in this field requires empathy, patience, and a passion for sharing knowledge. While students’ needs differ among age groups, core skills for all teachers include communication, resilience, and a desire to help others succeed.

Earning an online bachelor’s in science education requires about 120 credits and takes four years of full-time enrollment to complete. Accelerated tracks can lead to a degree in 42 months. Programs may also specialize in teaching at the middle school or high school level.

To gain state licensure, prospective teachers must complete supervised classroom teaching. Teacher programs usually incorporate this component. Student teachers observe educators in the classroom before undertaking a full-time, supervised, in-classroom student teaching experience.

Student teaching lasts at least 12-20 weeks, though requirements vary by state and school. Programs may help you find local opportunities to complete these requirements.

Most programs offer concentrations, enabling students to align their education with their area of interest. Concentration offerings may include chemistry, biology, earth-space science, and physics. A bachelor’s in science education provides students with thorough knowledge in their content discipline and in modern theories regarding educational approaches and learning.

Students explore many scientific disciplines, including geosciences, chemistry, biology, and physics. Covered topics include analyzing scientific data, the nature of matter and energy, and chemical bonds.

Students may receive a home science lab kit to complete lab experiments. Participants learn about the scientific method and use lab experiments to gather data and investigate a hypothesis.

This course explores the latest technologies used in classrooms to facilitate teaching and learning. Participants learn to evaluate hardware and software options while considering students’ access to technology and other ethical factors.

This class examines the theories of human development from early childhood through adolescence. Students learn how social and cognitive developments affect learning. They also explore the appropriate strategies for assessing and instructing diverse populations.

Participants learn to assess learners’ needs and the best approaches for modifying and delivering instructions based on those needs. Covered topics include creating engaging lessons that meet educational standards.

Science teachers are in high demand across the U.S., as are teachers in mathematics, foreign languages, and special education. The Economic Policy Institute projects that the school teacher shortage could result in 200,000 job openings by 2024. Supply cannot meet demand for qualified teachers and STEM educators.

This growing demand results in increased wages. For example, high school teachers earned a average annual salary of $73,800 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. However, teachers working in New York, a particularly high-demand state, earned an average of $96,400.

Not all graduates pursue positions as school teachers. Some work as science educators in youth facilities, museums, zoos, or other organizations. The following are common career paths for graduates. Keep in mind that public school teaching positions require certification. Private schools set their own criteria.

See where a bachelor’s in science education can take you. Learn more about education careers and the most popular college majors.

High school teachers usually instruct students in grades 9-12. They present scientific concepts, including gathering data to support scientific hypotheses. In addition to classroom instruction, these teachers use science labs for hands-on exploration of chemistry, biology, or physics. Additional responsibilities include developing lesson plans, demonstrating science experiments, and grading assignments.

Median Annual Salary: $65,220

Middle school teachers generally teach grades 6-8, though the grades vary among districts. In many schools, these teachers specialize in their core subjects. In smaller, rural communities, they may teach a single class covering all subjects. These teachers assess students’ abilities and develop lesson plans. When not teaching, they may provide lunchtime supervision or coach athletic teams.

Median Annual Salary: $64,290

Elementary school teachers may teach children from grades 1-5. These educators usually teach several subjects throughout the day. In some schools, these teachers work in teams. For example, one teacher may instruct children in science and math, and the other assumes responsibility for social studies and English. Many use experiential learning to help younger students grasp abstract concepts.

Median Annual Salary: $63,670

These professionals edit science textbooks or scientific journals. Educational editors ensure the content is accurate. They research resources and topic development. In journals, they may decide what articles to publish to peak scientists’ interest and cover the hot topics in specific fields. Some journals receive many submissions, requiring editors to sift through a large volume of manuscripts.

Average Annual Salary (May 2024): $60,617

Museum technicians’ roles vary significantly based on the museum’s type, location, and size. These professionals may answer the public’s questions regarding artifacts and exhibitions. They also help create exhibits and coordinate acquisitions, including loans from other museums. The BLS projects 10% job growth for museum workers from 2022-2032, a much faster rate than the average for all occupations.

Median Annual Salary: $57,120

Some students use an online science education degree as a stepping stone for graduate studies. Earning a master’s may offer additional career opportunities and increased earning potential. According to the BLS, in 2022, bachelor’s in education graduates earned a median weekly wage of $1,433. Master’s degree-holders made $1,661.

Earning a master’s degree can lead to management positions and roles as instructional coordinators, museum curators, and community college teachers. See below for common continuing education paths:

Yes. Students passionate about science and sharing their knowledge with children and adolescents may find that a bachelor’s in science education leads to a rewarding career. The present need for teachers, particularly in STEM fields, results in high demand.

Today’s online accredited programs offer the same level of education and employee recognition as their on-campus counterparts.

Most science education programs offer concentrations so students can focus on their field of interest. Possible specializations include chemistry, physics, earth science, and biology. Students may also use this degree as a stepping stone to graduate programs that may offer higher earning potential and increased job opportunities.

Most science education majors pursue careers as elementary, middle, or high school teachers. Some graduates also work as science educators outside of the classroom, in youth facilities, museums, zoos, and other organizations. Others use their writing and science abilities to work for science journals or textbook publishers, editing content.

Students may also use this degree to propel them to graduate school. A master’s in education can lead to leadership roles like principal or school administrator and teaching positions at community colleges. A master’s in curriculum development can qualify students for roles as instructional coordinators and educational consultants.

Science teachers are experiencing high demand due to a severe national shortage of qualified teachers in STEM and other fields. Axios Media reported that some school districts are resorting to sending support staff, such as custodians and bus drivers, to college for teacher training.

The BLS reported that, on average, over 270,000 teachers are expected to leave their job every year from 2016-2026. In addition to the number of teachers leaving the labor force or transitioning to another career, increasing student enrollments also propel the demand for qualified teachers.

Salaries for those with a bachelor’s in science education vary based on the employer, position, location, and experience level. For example, the BLS reports that high school teachers earn a median annual salary of $65,220 as of May 2023. In public schools, that figure rises to $66,070, while private elementary and secondary school teachers earn $61,290.

Many teachers work 10 months and take off for two months in the summer. Some of these teachers continue teaching in summer school, receiving extra income. Science education majors who excel in writing and science may also work as science editors. PayScale reports that education editors earned an average salary of $60,617 as of May 2024.

The salary for middle school and high school teachers varies dramatically. The top 10% of earners make median salaries exceeding $104,410 and $106,380, respectively.

States also experience different levels of teacher shortages. This strong demand and short supply translate to higher earnings. According to the BLS, New York reports the highest pay for middle school teachers, with an average annual salary of $95,170. High school teachers in California, New York, and Illinois earn average wages of $105,540, $96,400, and $80,200, respectively.