Want to change the world? Become a STEM educator!
If you love science and are interested in making a lasting and far-reaching impact in the world, the combined BS/MEd Degree in Secondary Science Teaching might be for you! This program provides you with the tools and qualifications to teach and inspire future generations while earning two degrees in just 5 years!
Degree Pathways
Mathematics Teaching BS/BA
Although there is currently not a BS/MEd degree in Math, students can pursue a BA or BS in Math Teaching and still be eligible to apply to the Teach for Utah scholarship. To learn more about the Math Teaching major please speak with an advisor in the Math department (https://www.math.utah.edu/undergraduate/index.php).
More information about the Teach for Utah scholarship can be found at the bottom of this page.
Did you know?
Teachers in the United States rate their lives better than all other occupation groups, trailing only physicians
The middle 50% of mid-career teacher salaries ranges between $60,000 and $100,000, nationally.
Most teaching jobs have better retirement benefits than other jobs you can get with the same degree.
There are student loan forgiveness programs and scholarships for math and science teachers.
Why enroll in the BS/MEd degree pathway?
The process to becoming a secondary (middle, junior high and high school) science teacher can be complicated and time consuming. In addition to science courses that often have multiple pre-requisites, students need to complete coursework for a teaching license and specific teaching endorsements. As a result, traditional pathways into teaching can often take 6 or more years to complete.
The BS/MEd in Secondary Level Science Teaching packages all of these requirements into a single, intensive program that earns students a master’s degree in addition to a BS and teaching license, AND saves students time and money.
The program is also uniquely designed to engage students in coursework and reflection that will help them create equitable classroom environments and contribute to building a socially just society.
BS/MEd at a glance!
(*All starred items are required)
Resources
Meet With Your Advisor
Connecting with an advisor early and regularly will ensure that you stay on track to meet degree requirements and help you connect with vital campus resources. Make sure to speak with an advisor in your science major area first.
- Biological Sciences: https://www.biology.utah.edu/undergraduate/advising.php
- Chemistry: https://chem.utah.edu/undergraduate/advising.php
- Physics: https://www.physics.utah.edu/undergraduate-program/advising.php
- Earth Science: https://earth.utah.edu/Advising-GG.php
- Math: https://www.math.utah.edu/undergraduate/advising.php
Connect With BS/MEd Personnel
University of Utah direct admits and transfer students should speak to BS/MEd program personnel early to ensure you are taking the classes that you need to move you through the program as efficiently as possible. The BS/MEd pathway combines select General Education and elective courses with teaching requirements so it’s essential to know which ones to take early on. The more you know the more you will also have access to scholarships, resources and a community of other science students who are striving to become teachers. (Contact ally.rocks@utah.edu to learn more about the BS/MEd)
Apply For The Teach For Utah Scholarship
The Teach for Utah Scholarship is for Freshman through Senior students who are declared teaching majors. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition for up to 4 years. For more information about the scholarship visit: https://teachforutah.utah.edu
Get Involved
Enrich your university experience by volunteering, participating in scientific research, or joining a club! Talk to your advisors or instructors to learn more about opportunities that are available to undergraduate students such as:
- Science Research Initiative for College of Science (Biology, Chemistry, & Physics teaching majors) Freshman and Sophomores: https://science.utah.edu/students/sri/
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities for any science major: https://our.utah.edu
- Bennion Center volunteer and outreach opportunities: https://bennioncenter.org/
- Natural History Museum of Utah volunteer and outreach opportunities: https://nhmu.utah.edu/
- Apply to scholarships in the College of Education (yes you are elgibile as a science teaching major!: https://education.utah.edu/students/scholarship-guide.php)
Check Out These Resources
Take advantage of the various tutoring and student support resources in your department and around campus.
- Math Tutoring Center: http://www.math.utah.edu/undergraduate/mathcenter.php
- Student Success Advocates: https://studentsuccess.utah.edu/advocates/student-advocates-page-orig/
- University Writing Center: https://writingcenter.utah.edu/
- Learning Center: https://learningcenter.utah.edu/
- U of U Etutoring: https://etutoringonline.org/index.cfm?e=10
- UofU Trio Program: https://trio.utah.edu/
- Biology Learning Center: https://www.biology.utah.edu/BLC/Index.php
- Physics tutoring resources: http://www.physics.utah.edu/undergraduate-program/tutoring-resources.php
- Chemistry Academic Resources: https://chem.utah.edu/undergraduate/resources/index.php
Transfer Students Get Ready To Transfer
- Check deadlines and apply to the University of Utah: https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/transfer/
- Use Transferology to see how courses from your institution may transfer to the U: https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/transferology-students.php
- Apply for the Teach for Utah Scholarship (https://teachforutah.utah.edu), the Noyce Scholarship (https://csme.utah.edu/noyce/), and/or other scholarships for transfer students (https://financialaid.utah.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/transfer/index.php)
- Check out these additional resources from the Office of Orientation and Transfer: https://orientation.utah.edu/transfer/transfer-resources.php
- Contact ally.rocks@utah.edu to see how your courses will transfer into the BS/MEd program at the U.
Stay Engaged
- Apply Teach for Utah Scholarship if you have not already done so.
- Check out resources from the Office of Undergraduate Studies (https://ugs.utah.edu/student-resources/index.php)
- Take advantage of opportunities and activities across campus.
- Become an undergraduate Learning Assistant (LA). Learning Assistants collaborate with instructors and teaching assistants (TAs) in College of Science courses to build interactive, collaborative classroom environments (https://csme.utah.edu/la/)
- Learn about volunteer opportunities, alternative breaks, and more with the Bennion Center (https://bennioncenter.org/)
- Volunteer or intern with Natural History Museum of Utah (https://nhmu.utah.edu/)
- Apply to scholarships in the College of Education if you have not done so already (yes you are elgibile as a science teaching major!: https://education.utah.edu/students/scholarship-guide.php)
Keep Up The Great Work
- Apply to the Teach for Utah/Noyce Scholarship programs if you haven’t already
- Meet with an advisor in your science major area to make sure you are on track to graduate
- Meet with an advisor in the Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE) about education course requirements and applying to the Teacher Licensure program: https://uite.utah.edu/students/advising/
- Consider participating in a early mentorship program (talk to ally.rocks@utah.edu to learn how)
- Apply to scholarships in the College of Education if you have not done so already (yes you are elgibile as a science teaching major!: https://education.utah.edu/students/scholarship-guide.php)
Apply For Your Licensure And MEd Year!
- Apply to theTeach for Utah/Noyce Scholarship programs if you haven’t already
- Meet with an advisor in the Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE) about applying for the the UITE Graduate Licensure and MEd in Educational Psychology programs (the “MEd” of the BS/MEd program): https://uite.utah.edu/students/advising/
- Take a Praxis Exam in your discipline
- Apply to the Urban Institute Licensure Program (Application Due Feb 1) : https://www.ets.org/praxis/ut/test-takers/plan-your-test/licensure-requirements.html#accordion-654bf1c582-item-01c71fcd4e
- Apply to the MEd in Educational Psychology program through the “Apply Yourself” website: https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantLogin.asp?id=utahgrad
- Begin taking graduate-level courses (up to 12 credits) during the final year of your undergraduate coursework. Fill out the following form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office: https://registrar.utah.edu/_pdf/notification-graduate-credit.pdf
- Apply to scholarships in the College of Education if you have not done so already (yes you are elgibile as a science teaching major!: https://education.utah.edu/students/scholarship-guide.php)
You Are Almost Done!
- Apply for science teaching endorsements: https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/a96d74df-8b8f-4e56-bb43-1d190d3718ed
- Search and apply for teaching jobs
- Participate in Teach for Utah and/or Noyce workshops
- Complete your teaching practicum and student teaching assignments
Scholarships
There are two scholarship programs that are specifically designated for students in the BS/MEd degree pathway. Both programs provide opportunities and support in addition to financial assistance. The Teach for Utah Scholarship is for students at any stage of their undergraduate career (freshmen through senior). The Noyce Teacher Scholarship is for students in their junior, senior, and graduate (licensure) years of the program.
Teach for Utah Scholarship
- For freshmen through graduate-level students
- Up to $5,000 for students with 0-59 university credits
- $10,00 for students with 60+ credits
- Up to 4 years of funding
- Must be a Utah resident with the intention to teach in Utah after graduation
Noyce Scholarship
- For juniors (60+ credit hours) through graduate-level students
- $10,000 per year for up to 3 years
- Additional stipends and support during induction year (first year of teaching)
Application Requirements (Teach for Utah and Noyce Scholarships)
1. Minimum 3.2 GPA
2. Background check for students 18 years or older
3.Letter of Recommendation
- One letter from a university STEM instructor addressing your abilities, aptitude and potential to master scientific content.
- Please address the following in your statement: Why you are interested in teaching and any formal or informal educational experiences you have had that have influenced your career path. Qualities, skills and/or experiences that make you a strong candidate for the program. A reflection on your experiences related to equity and social justice in educational settings. How might teachers help students overcome barriers of social and economic class, racism, language differences, and other aspects that might limit opportunities? A reflection on your first two years as a college student. How did your own instructors impact your desire to become a teacher?