Secondary Education - Chemistry Concentration

Secondary Education - Chemistry Concentration Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)

About Secondary Education Chemistry Concentration

Introduce students to the elements that shape our world as a chemistry teacher.

From atomic particles to big ideas, share your passion for chemistry with middle and high school students by pursuing a secondary education bachelor's degree with a chemistry concentration from PennWest California.

This comprehensive undergraduate program combines courses in the latest teaching methods with chemistry classes and real-world teaching experiences, so you graduate career-ready.

Take a fast track to a rewarding teaching career.

  • You'll complete all education requirements necessary for teaching certification in Pennsylvania.
  • You'll graduate with career experience through extensive fieldwork and student teaching in Pennsylvania classrooms.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS - CHEMISTRY CONCENTRATION

Hands-on Experience
Gain confidence in teaching. PennWest California students stand out in the chemistry education job market because they complete three fieldwork experiences in local schools prior to the student teaching component of this program.

Top Professors
Our secondary education faculty members have doctorate degrees and years of experience teaching in middle and high schools. You'll benefit from their expertise and get personal support in achieving your career goals.

Top Accreditation: This  degree program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits PennWest California. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. See CAEP reporting measures of program impact and outcomes.

CAEP Logo

$64 K
average annual salary for secondary education teachers in Pennsylvania. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
165 years
PennWest California has been producing top-quality teachers in Pennsylvania since 1852.
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Degree Benefits

Discover the many benefits of PennWest California's affordable bachelor's degree in education with a chemistry concentration.

  • Study chemistry curriculum development techniques.

  • Learn top strategies in lab and classroom management.

  • Master classroom technology for teaching chemistry.

  • Deepen your knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry, instruments used in chemical experiments, and other related topics.

  • Gain real-world teaching experience in Pennsylvania schools.

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Graduate Outcomes

You'll graduate ready to teach chemistry in middle and high schools in Pennsylvania and other states. You'll also be well prepared to pursue a master's degree in teaching or education. PennWest California secondary education program alumni go on to teach in schools in Pennsylvania and across the country, and many return to PennWest California for graduate studies.

 
Chemistry Certification  - Secondary Education - Master's Degree
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Alumni/Faculty Spotlight

Meet Dr. Joe Zisk '73, a PennWest California graduate who went on to teach chemistry, physics and biology in the Philadelphia area. He visited elementary schools where he was affectionately known as "Captain Chemo," showing experiments to children. As part of PennWest California's education faculty, he helps with Science Olympiad and other projects.

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Course Spotlight: Methods of Science Education

Learn proven methods for teaching scientific concepts that will help your students understand and absorb key principles while igniting their wonder for the natural world.

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Real-Word Experience in Local Schools

PennWest California maintains a network of Professional Development Schools (PDS) in Pennsylvania that serve as the ultimate lab setting where you will work directly with middle and high school teachers and students to gain real-life career experience.

Chemistry Concentration - Secondary Education Bachelor's Degree Courses

Our ever-evolving curriculum imparts the latest advancements in secondary education teaching methods while developing your mastery of chemistry in lab-based classes. This bachelor's degree program meets all education requirements for teaching certification in Pennsylvania

Curriculum

Course Credits
General Education Courses 41
Building a Sense of Community
UNI 100  First-Year Seminar
1
Composition
ENG 101  English Composition I* 
3
Public Speaking
EDU 350  Supporting English Language Learners*
3
Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy
MAT 281  Calculus I*
3
Health and Wellness
HSC 315  First Aid
3
Technological Literacy
EDU 333  Technology in Teaching and Learning* 
3
Humanities
ESP 210  Special Education Foundation and Collaboration* 
3
Fine Arts
Any Fine Arts Course
3
Natural Sciences
CHE 101  General Chemistry*
4
Social Sciences
PSY 100  General Psychology
3
Ethics and Multicultural Awareness Emphasis
EDU 310  Teaching in a Multicultural Society*
3
General Education Options
  • PSY 206  Adolescent Psychology* 
  • MAT 282  Calculus II*
  • Approved U.S. or British Literature Course*
9
   
Required Concentration Courses* 39
SEC 210  Intro to Secondary Ed 3
SEC 220  Standards-based Instruction 3
SEC 310  Instructional Strategies 3
SEC 350  Content Area Literacy 3
SEC 360  Technology Integration 3
SEC 395  Teaching of Science  3
SEC 400  Classroom Management 3
SEC 420  Assessment and Interventions 3
SEC 460  Professional Practices 3
SEC 461  Student Teaching 12
   
Required Education Foundation Courses* 6
ESP 311  Assessment and Positive Interventions 3
ESP 413  Evidence-Based Practices 3
   
Related Content Courses* 37
CHE 102  Gen Chemistry II 4
CHE 104  Intro to Experimental 3
CHE 306  Inorganic Chemistry 3
CHE 320  Analytical/Instrument 3
CHE 331  Organic Chemistry I 4
CHE 341  Organic Chemistry II 3
CHE 371  Intermediate Lab I 1
CHE 372  Intermediate Lab II 1
CHE 415  Biochemistry 4
CHE 461  Physical Chemistry 3
CHE 471  Advanced Lab I 1
Science Elective 3
PHY 101  College Physics I 4
   
Total 123

Additional requirements not counted toward the General Education requirements and included in this program are:

  • Special Experience Course (1 course required): SEC 461 Student Teaching
  • Writing-Intensive Component Courses (2 courses required): SEC 420 Assessment and Interventions AND SEC 460 Professional Practices
  • Laboratory Course (1 course required): CHE 101 General Chemistry

* Must be passed with a C or higher.

Program Notes: This is a professional program. Many SEC courses are linked to include field experiences and must be taken together as co-requisites. LiveText software is a requirement of this program. The science elective can have a prefix of: CHE, BIO, EAS, PHS, PHY.

Secondary Education

Bachelor's Degree Concentrations
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