Science Education Degree

Explore the Science Education Program

Biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics – you’ll be able to teach all of these and more with the natural science endorsement in education from Wayne State College. You’ll be prepared to become a science teacher for grades 7-12. Choosing to pursue a Science Education degree will train you in math, lab techniques, how to conduct research and experiments, and more. Your degree to teach science will give you a broad yet solid foundation in all subjects science-related, along with learning how to teach in a classroom setting.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Endorsement information
The grade levels and subjects you want to teach are called endorsements, and depending on the type of endorsement, you are required to choose one or more in order to obtain your teaching certificate/license. The Science Education program is a field endorsement, meaning you are not required to choose additional endorsements. However, you may add on additional endorsements if you want to do so. Learn more about endorsements.

Fast facts

Degree options: B.A. or B.S. in Science Education

Endorsement type: Field endorsement
Learn more about endorsements.

Delivery format: On campus (Wayne)

Program credit hours: 85

Science endorsement (52 credit hours)
Education core courses (33 credit hours)

Note: Students must also take 30 credit hours of General Studies courses. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements.

Schools: Science, Health, and Criminal Justice; Education and Behavioral Sciences

Departments: Physical Sciences and Mathematics; Educational Foundations and Leadership

Prepare for your future

Becoming a teacher

Field experience and clinical practice

As a student pursuing a teaching career in science, you’ll complete field experiences and clinical practice. Some field experiences are embedded within the coursework of WSC’s educator preparation programs. Once you’ve completed the initial field experience requirements, you’ll then complete a semester of clinical practice (student teaching) in a school district chosen with the help of your adviser. During this semester, you’ll work closely with an experienced teacher to gain classroom experience.

Learn more about clinical practice

Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy (NENTA)

Student teaching is a requirement for teacher certification in all 50 states and provides you with critical real-life experience before gaining a classroom of your own. Only Wayne State College adds to this experience through the Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy (NENTA), a program that allows you to substitute teach as a junior and get paid, all while still earning your degree.

Learn more about NENTA

Student learning outcomes

Biology programs

Students will be able to interpret core concepts in biology.
Students will be able to apply concepts in biology to internships and/or student research.
Students will be able to accurately communicate core concepts in biology.

Chemistry programs

Demonstrate mastery of the theoretical aspects of chemistry
Demonstrate mastery in the technical aspects of chemistry
Communicate effectively in a chemical manner, both verbally and in writing
Apply mathematical and mechanistic problem-solving skills to chemistry processes
Operate standard laboratory equipment and instruments and be able to interpret the data or spectra obtained

Education programs

Teacher candidates who successfully complete an education preparation program at Wayne State will be able to:

Create environments that support individual and collaborative learning using knowledge of how students grow and develop, along with individual differences and diverse cultures. (InTASC Standards 1-3)
Plan for instruction by applying content knowledge, a variety of instructional strategies, and multiple methods of assessment to connect concepts for learners in real-world applications. (InTASC Standards 4-8)
Engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to reflect on and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner. (InTASC Standard 9)
Seek leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with stakeholders, and to advance the profession. (InTASC Standard 10)

View InTASC Standards for Educator Preparation

Topics covered

Science topics covered

Analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry
Biology, zoology, and plant science
University physics and physics experimentation
Earth science, including astronomy, meteorology, and geology
Research, data collection, and analysis
Laboratory management, techniques, and safety

Education topics covered

Teaching as a profession
Human learning processes and behavior
Instructional design methodologies, implementation, and evaluation
Curriculum planning and assessment methods
Educational collaboration and equitable learning opportunities
Classroom management

Admission to Wayne State College does not guarantee entry into its educator preparation programs. Students planning to pursue professional education must undergo a background check along with meeting other requirements (benchmarks) and advance through three levels of preparation required to become a teacher.

Level One - Preparing for Teacher Candidacy
In this level, students apply for educator preparation and complete some of the preliminary coursework of the program. Students will need to pass an initial background check as well. View all Level One benchmarks.

Level Two - Preparing for Clinical Practice
In Level Two, students will prepare for student teaching by passing the required courses, meeting evidence to show their readiness, and pass a complete background check. View all Level Two benchmarks.

Level Three - Clinical Practice
Level Three is the final level and includes the successful completion of clinical practice and meeting the degree requirements for graduation from Wayne State. Students will also register to take the Praxis Exam. Passing the Praxis Exam is not a graduation requirement; however, it is required to earn a teaching license for the state in which you want to teach. View all Level Three benchmarks.

Benchmarks and Levels of Educator Preparation

Teacher certification

After successfully completing a teacher education program at Wayne State, you’ll submit your application to become a licensed teacher in Nebraska.

Initial Teacher Certification

State licensure disclosure

Wayne State's Science Education program is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska. It has not been determined if these programs meet requirements for all other states.

If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Nebraska, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.

Science Education Licensure Disclosure for All States About State Authorization and Licensure

Graduates with a degree in Science Education teach in schools using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College.

Jobs of recent graduates:

Chemistry/Physical Science Teacher – Creighton Prep (Omaha, Neb.)
High School Science Teacher – Ralston Public Schools (Ralston, Neb.)
Science Teacher – Crofton Community Schools (Crofton, Neb.)
Science Teacher – Norfolk Catholic School (Norfolk, Neb.)
Science Teacher – Battle Creek Public Schools (Battle Creek, Neb.)
Science Teacher – Hill City School District (Hill City, S.D.)
Science Teacher – Sioux City West High School (Sioux City, Iowa)
Substitute Science Teacher – Random Lake Public Schools (Random Lake, Wis.)

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Science content courses (52 credit hours)

Credits: 4
Description: A study of the principles of biology as they apply to the uniformity, diversity, and organization of the animal kingdom. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) $30 class fee required.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Credits: 4
Description: A continuation of CHE 106 General Chemistry I with emphasis on kinetics, redox reactions, molecular geometry, hydrolysis, electrochemistry, and solubility products. Qualitative analysis included. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisites: C- or better in CHE 106 General Chemistry I, or instructor consent
Credits: 4
Description: An introduction to the Earth as planet with special emphasis being placed upon atmospheric and oceanic processes. High school mathematics is used extensively in this course. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) $20 meteorology lab fee required.
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the solid earth in terms of its internal structure and surface landforms. High school mathematics is used extensively in this course. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Geology lab fee of $30 required.
Credits: 3
Description: A second semester algebra-based general physics course intended primarily for health professions, life science, and education students. Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. PHY 322 Physics Lab II required.
Prerequisite: PHY 201 General Physics I or PHY 301 University Physics II
Credits: 1
Description: This laboratory is a required course for PHY 202 General Physics II but may be taken in a subsequent semester. It is optional for PHY 302 University Physics II, depending on the student’s program. Experiments, appropriate to the level of the lecture, include topics in electricity, magnetism, and basic optics (3 hours lab). Physics lab fee of $20 required.
You will choose science courses from the following areas to total at least 22 credit hours in one area, and 10 credit hours across the other three areas.
- Biology (BIO)
- Chemistry (CHE)
- Earth Science (EAS)
- Physics (PHY)
View the course catalog for a full listing of available courses.

Educator preparation core (33 credit hours)

Credits: 3

Description: Students are introduced to teaching as a profession through the historical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of educational systems. Students will explore various aspects of education, as well as their beliefs and values about teaching and learning through the exploration of professional knowledge, practice, and values. This course may include a field experience.
Credits: 0
Description: This course is designed for students in Level 1 of WSC’s educator preparation programs who are progressing into Level 2. Students will receive valuable information including, but not limited to, admission, program progression, degree and certification requirements, the use of portfolio software, professional dispositions for success, etc.

Notes: Graded S/NC
Credits: 3
Description: Students construct a conceptual basis for understanding the growth and development of learners. Theories of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development are explored in order to better understand the importance of the nurturing role of the teacher in human development and learning. Students begin to understand the human learning process and individual differences in how learners think and behave based on their unique characteristics. Students study theoretical models and the integration of models for planning and facilitating effective and differentiated experiences for diversified learners. This course will include field experience.
Prerequisite: EDU 150 Introduction to Professional Education
Corequisite: EDU 245 Preparing for Level 2: Teacher Candidacy
Credits: 3
Description: Students will practice instructional design methodologies or analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. To explore and learn to recognize their biases, including but not limited to sexism, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, students will develop an awareness of the impact such biases have on their interpersonal relations. Students will be challenged to reflect on how they can relate more effectively to other individuals and groups in a pluralistic society in order to promote equitable approaches to instructional design. This course fulfills the human relations component established by the Nebraska Department of Education. This course may include a field experience.
Prerequisites: EDU 150 Introduction to Professional Education and EDU 250 Human Development and Cognition must be taken concurrently or prior to this course.
Credits: 2
Description: This course outlines the essentials of the reading processes and skills necessary for secondary students to become proficient learners of content, the incorporation of reading instruction into content delivery, and examination of the Nebraska Language Arts standards. The course also provides candidates with a solid foundation in educational assessment.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks)
This course must be taken to meet the requirement for 3 semester hours of professional education coursework in pedagogical content knowledge.
Credits: 3
Description: This course examines the essential knowledge, skills, dispositions, and innovative applications of content needed for effective teaching in the 21st century. Specific content-area topics include instructional planning for differentiated instruction; effective strategies, techniques, materials, and assessment methods; reading and writing in the content area; classroom management; and the relationship of the content area to standards-based curriculum. To be taken concurrently with EDU 414 Content Area Practicum Experience.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks)
Credits: 1
Description: This 80-clock hour minimum content specific clinical experience (60 hours in classroom plus 20 hours in activities related to teaching) is designed to induct students into classroom teaching and develop an awareness of the many roles of a professional educator. Under the mentorship of a practicing K-12 educator, students will assist/co-teach/teach. Students will also actively participate in school-related activities commonly encountered by professional educators.
Prerequisites: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks), and successful completion or concurrent enrollment in EDU 409 Content Area Methods and Materials
Credits: 0
Description: This course is designed for graduate students in Level 2 of WSC’s educator preparation program who are progressing into Level 3 and those completing clinical practice to change endorsement levels. Two virtual sessions will be held at the beginning of each academic session for graduate teacher candidates planning to student teach in the following semester. Graduate teacher candidates will attend one of the two virtual sessions to receive valuable information including, but not limited to, how to apply for Clinical Practice, an overview of Clinical Practice requirements, rules regarding placement choices and department approval requirements.

Dual-listed: EDU 545
Notes: Graded S/NC
Credits: 12
Description: A semester course of full-day learning experiences in a secondary setting under the supervision of a cooperating 7-12 classroom teacher, a supervisor from the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and a faculty member from the appropriate content area. On-campus seminars will be offered periodically throughout the semester. This is the culminating experience of the secondary pre-service educator preparation program. Students in the Career Scholars Program will enroll for 3 credit hours in their first semester and 12 credit hours in their second semester (this course may be repeated by residency students only). All other students will enroll in 6 or 12 credit hours in one semester. Graded S/NC.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Clinical Practice (successful completion of Level 2 Benchmarks)
Notes: Graded S/NC. Students in the Growing Together residency program will enroll for 3 credit hours in their first semester and 12 credit hours in their second semester (this course may be repeated by residency students only). All other students will enroll in 6 or 12 credit hours in one semester
Credits: 3
Description: The course will explore applications of methods and strategies within elementary and secondary settings to provide equitable learning opportunities within least restrictive learning environments for all students. An emphasis is placed on communication and collaboration among professionals and families to ensure the needs of all students are met.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1Benchmarks)
Credits: 3
Description: Understanding social and emotional development of all learners while considering Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Emphasis on implications for the inclusive learning environment; promotion of social competence; awareness of prosocial skills; and effective utilization of responsive relationships. Completing the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) process and developing the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) product to meet the needs of secondary learners.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks)

Popular pairings

Many students at Wayne State will add an extra endorsement to make themselves more marketable and expand their teaching abilities. Students who recently majored in Science Education at Wayne State also paired this program with one or more of the following endorsements