The College of Science Teacher Preparation Program provides science majors the opportunity to take courses and engage in school experiences that will lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Science Education, to a minor in Science Education or to eligibility for secondary science teacher certification.

How is the program unique?

The Science Teacher Preparation Program is a unique pathway to science teacher certification.

• Science majors spend significant amounts of time working with mentor teachers in area middle schools and high schools. Program students have exciting opportunities to work with classroom teachers to experiment with ideas that are discussed in their college courses.

• The teaching courses focus on science, rather than a mix of teaching subject areas. This allows for a unique blend of science and pedagogy in the courses.

• The science teaching courses and the school-based classroom experiences are taught and supervised by faculty and adjunct instructor who themselves have significant experiences in secondary science teaching.

• Science majors may graduate in their disciplinary majors and simultaneously complete the Teacher Preparation Program courses to become eligible for teacher certification. This provides a degree of flexibility not common among other teacher preparation programs.

The Program Curriculum

The Science Teacher Preparation Program curriculum includes 27 semester credit hours of science teaching (STCH) courses and 3 semester credit hours of more subject-specific methods courses.

Every STCH course includes ample classroom experience under the supervision of an experienced mentor teacher.

A student will receive optimal benefit from the program if courses are taken over a minimum of four semesters. One of these semesters is devoted entirely to a semester-long student teaching internship.

Have you already completed your science degree?

If so, you need only take the science teacher preparation courses and student teach to become eligible for teacher certification. Contact one of the faculty advisors for details.

Classroom Teacher Partners in the Science Teacher Preparation Program

An important part of this program is the role that experienced classroom teachers play as mentors for our students. The Biology Teacher Exchange Program (BTEP) and the partners in the Education of Preservice Science Teachers (PEPST) Program are two ways in which Tucson area secondary science teachers can become more involved in helping us develop the new generation of science teachers. Contact one of the faculty advisors for details.

Why should you consider becoming a science teacher?

Science teachers today are in demand. Currently there is a shortage of qualified science teachers in K-12 schools. Additionally, science teaching is an exciting and rewarding career that combines opportunities to work simultaneously with young people and with science.

Explore the opportunities that science teaching can provide by enrolling in our first course: STCH 250 - Teaching Science. There are no prerequisites. This course will provide you with the information you need to help make that important career decision about science teaching!

How can you learn more?

To learn more about the Science Teacher Preparation Program contact one of the individuals listed below and arrange a meeting to discuss program details.