The College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at Eastern Kentucky University offers a number of STEM teaching degrees for students interested in being high school teachers (certified grades 8-12). Our degrees in science and mathematics teaching provide a foundation in the chosen subject areas and when coupled with required education courses in the College of Education, provide students with the strong background to become a successful STEM teacher.
If you already have teacher certification in a STEM field and would like to expand your teaching possibilities, consider a minor in one of our many STEM teaching minors.
For more information on the teaching degree for you, make a selection below.
Biology
Everyone needs to understand some biology! We are living things. We interact with, depend upon, are attacked and parasitized by living things. We need to understand living systems, from the very tiny (such as viruses and bacteria) to ourselves to systems of millions of living things (such as a forest ecosystem or an ocean ecosystem).
There is a shortage of science teachers at the high school level. We need teachers who are committed to helping students indulge their curiosity and discover truths about the natural world!
The EKU Biology/Teaching degree program includes a solid core of biology courses which includes Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Genetics, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology and Human Physiology.
If you are receiving your teaching degree in another field, consider receiving your teaching certification for a biology minor. This must be coupled with a secondary teaching certificate in another discipline to qualify students to teach biology at the secondary level.
For a complete list of courses you will need for this degree, check out our Biology Teaching Curriculum Guide (PDF, 276 Kb).
If you have questions about becoming a biology teacher or receiving your teaching certification for biology minor, contact Dr. Bill Staddon in the Department of Biological Sciences or Dr. Krista Adams in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership.
Chemistry
Are you interested in teaching high school chemistry? STEM teachers are in high demand across Kentucky and the nation. Receiving a certification in chemistry teaching can open doors to a lifelong career anywhere in the United States.
The EKU Department of Chemistry offers a B.S. degree in chemistry with a teaching concentration that will allow you to become certified to teach high school chemistry. For a complete list of required courses and your path to a chemistry teaching degree, check out our Chemistry Teaching Curriculum Guide (PDF, 261 Kb).
Already have a teaching certificate in science or mathematics? By adding a chemistry teaching minor, you can become certified to teach chemistry along with your current certification.
For more information about the chemistry teaching degree, contact Dr. Judy Jenkins in the Department of Chemistry or Sonja Yow or Dr. Krista Adams in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership.
Earth Science
Students who are interested in adding a second certification area to their teaching major might be interested in a minor in earth science teaching. The minor includes coursework in the four areas of earth science: geology, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy. Course class sizes in this minor are small and the nature of the courses is interactive. Students work closely with faculty in laboratory and field settings.
For more information on earning a minor in earth science teaching, contact Dr. AliceJones in the Department of Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy or Sonja Yow or Dr. Krista Adams in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership.
Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a concentration in Mathematics Teaching. This concentration is designed to provide students with the mathematics foundation needed to teach mathematics in high schools. A course in secondary education methods and a semester of student teaching give a smooth transition from coursework to workforce, which translates to a high job placement rate upon graduation.
Students may also get involved in extracurricular activities by becoming a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon, NCTM and/or KCTM. Additionally, students are prepared to begin work in the Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics degree at EKU.
For a complete list of courses you will need for this degree, check out our Mathematics Teaching Curriculum Guide (PDF, 260 Kb).
For more information on earning your teaching degree in mathematics, contact Dr. Margaret Yoder in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics or Sonja Yow or Dr. Krista Adams in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership. For middle school math, you can also contact Richard Day in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership.
Physics
The U.S. is currently experiencing a critical shortage of high school physics teachers. Teaching high school physics can be extremely rewarding for teachers as well as students. It involves creating excitement and involvement for students and helping them explore and understand how the physical world works and how to connect complex ideas.
Physics is a gateway to many careers in science, engineering and medicine. Good high school physics teachers can help students gain the confidence they need to be successful.
For a complete list of courses you will need for this degree, check out our Physics Teaching Curriculum Guide (PDF, 259 Kb).
For more information on earning your teaching degree in physics, contact Jing Wang or Jessica Lair in the Department of Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy or Sonja Yow or Dr. Krista Adams in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership.