Overview of Science Education

The science education program is designed to provide a strong content background in one or more science disciplines and extensive practice using constructivist teaching strategies to prepare teacher candidates for today’s classroom. Certifications (specializations) are available in Biology (9-Adult), Chemistry (9-Adult), Physics (9-Adult) and General Science (5-Adult). Our program provides early teaching opportunities in middle school classrooms, workshops in association with the NASA IV&V Facility Educator Research Center, and research experiences using a radio telescope at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV.

Science education students earn the B.A. Degree in Education with specializations in two or more science areas. Some students choose to double major, earning both a B.S. in a science discipline (e.g., chemistry or biology) and a B.A. in Education.

Employment Opportunities for Students in Science Education

Students graduating from Fairmont State with science teaching specializations are typically recruited prior to graduation by area schools and/or by school districts in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Many graduates begin teaching at the middle school level before moving into a high school position. The biology, chemistry, or physics certification coupled with a general science certification provides the widest range of teaching opportunities. Due to the shortage of physics teachers, graduates with the physics specialization are heavily recruited.

Graduate Opportunities

Many science education graduates eventually continue on in their education to pursue a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is another new option at Fairmont State for those who already have a bachelor’s degree or higher with substantial science content.

To contact the College of Science and Technology with general questions, please email us at scitech@fairmontstate.edu .