The demand for teachers is outpacing the supply, especially for qualified science, technology, engineering, and math teachers.

“It takes a specialty degree to teach earth science, biology, chemistry or physics in a school,” explained Brian Hartman, WWU associate professor of education. “Often a teacher with only one certification would have to work on the side to take the required classes for additional specializations. This makes it more difficult for science teachers to qualify for jobs where they must teach more than one subject. It also makes it more difficult for schools to find science teachers who can teach multiple science areas.”

To help place more qualified science educators, WWU now offers a degree in science education that can lead to endorsements in at least two science areas when paired with a bachelor’s of education degree.

“With this degree, schools can hire a science teacher to teach multiple science areas. It’s one four-year degree, but students receive two areas of specialization for the price of one,” Hartman said.

The School of Education and Psychology partners with the biology, chemistry and physics departments to offer the degree. Students who complete it may sit for the credentialing examinations in their areas right away, Hartman shared. The degree may also be customized for students who wish to become credentialed in more than two science areas.

“College students may not initially think about science education, so we want to raise the visibility of this as a highly valued option,” he said. “A good science teacher can change everything for their student.”

Posted Sept. 11, 2024