Science plays a vital role in a child鈥檚 education. When examining the world and everything in it, they ask questions, think deeply and attempt to solve problems 鈥 actions that will benefit them in all areas of life. Learn how to be the science teacher that middle school and junior high students need at the University of Central Missouri.
When you complete your BSE in UCM鈥檚 Middle School Education program with a focus on science education, you鈥檒l leave with a wealth of science knowledge and the skills necessary to engage and guide students.
The best education for a middle school science teacher
UCM鈥檚 program is Missouri鈥檚 largest stand-alone program specific to teaching this age range and has been recognized nationally by the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE). It has also held accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation longer than any other public university in the state. In addition, our Science Education programs are recognized by the National Association of Science Teachers (NSTA).
You can be confident in your UCM education, as well as the education you will provide to your future students as a science teacher.
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99% job placement rate
Accredited Science Teacher degree
Real-world classroom experiences
Hands-on work in modern labs
Small classes for easy access to faculty
Networking events with student-teachers
Your path to become a science teacher will begin on our Warrensburg campus before your learning moves into the field. UCM faculty, who have all worked in middle schools and junior high schools, will be with you every step of the way to provide guidance and feedback. Most importantly, through their curriculum and instruction, they鈥檒l demonstrate strategies for how to be a competent and caring science teacher and create a positive classroom environment for your students.
The science of your Science Teacher degree
Plan to complete extensive credit hours in your General Science major, with some classes held in UCM鈥檚 well-equipped, modern labs for hands-on learning. In addition, you鈥檒l take a science teaching methods course specifically designed for middle school science, which covers classroom and lab instruction techniques.
You鈥檒l be supported every step of the way when you鈥檙e learning to be a science teacher at the University of Central Missouri, and you鈥檒l gain real-world experience while you鈥檙e at it.
In your sophomore year, part of your learning will take place in the field, where you鈥檒l observe a middle school or junior high school classroom. This will continue until your final semester, when you move on to student teaching. You鈥檒l be able to confidently apply what you鈥檝e learned in the field, as well as in collaboration with your faculty and peers, when you fulfill that last big step to start your career.
Network with other future science teachers
UCM students often remark on the close relationships they鈥檝e made as part of their Middle School-Junior High School Science Teacher degree. Get to know other undergraduate students when you join one of the following student associations:
There鈥檚 never been a better time to be a science teacher in the middle school or junior high setting. Teachers at this school level are in high demand. UCM maintains a 99% job placement rate for our graduates with a BSE in General Science for Middle and Junior High School.
When you complete your Science Teacher degree at UCM, you鈥檒l be certified to teach grades 5 through 9, making you eligible to teach high school freshmen as well. This gives you more flexibility as you seek job placement in school districts throughout Missouri. UCM faculty maintain close relationships with these districts and will help you get started with your teaching career.
Understand your opportunities as a science teacher
To gain insight into what the job market offers graduates with a Science Teacher degree, we鈥檝e provided the interactive tool below. Take a look to get an idea of what your future as a science teacher holds.
An investment in your science teacher education is not only an investment in your future but also in the lives of countless children. To help you make your mark in the world, we offer resources to assist in funding your college education. These include details on grants, loans and work study.
You may also qualify for one or more memorial scholarships available for UCM Education majors in addition to the following program-specific scholarships:
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Take your degree further.
Enhance your teaching skills to make improvements in your classroom with a graduate degree from UCM:
Make yourself more marketable.
Prepare yourself for teaching STEM courses by adding a math concentration:
Explore programs related to science education.
If you鈥檙e interested in becoming a science teacher, you may also explore these UCM undergraduate degrees:
You will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the Middle School/Junior High School program to:
You will have multiple opportunities to be involved both on and off campus:
UCM is the longest continuously CAEP accredited public institution in Missouri
This program has been nationally recognized by the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE)
UCM鈥檚 Science Education programs are recognized by National Association of Science Teachers (NSTA)
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