OVERVIEW
Designed for Educators Wanting to Teach Geology or Earth Science
Earth science (geosciences) is one of the fundamental sciences all American high school students are expected to learn before graduation. By making geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy interesting and challenging, you can help engage your students' minds, strengthen their confidence, and lead them to a better appreciation of the world in which they live.
This online master's in science education program can prepare you to teach earth science at the junior high or high school level*. The program helps ensure your proficiency in natural sciences, general chemistry, earth and space science, ocean systems, and advanced geosciences.
*The specific grade levels you will be eligible to teach depend on your state’s licenses and endorsements.
Eligibility note: WGU's M.A. Science Education programs are for already-licensed teachers. The M.A. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) program is for certified teachers who already hold a bachelor's degree and wish to add secondary earth science to their existing licenses. This program is not intended for aspiring teachers seeking licensure or certification. If you are seeking your teaching certificate, please view our programs leading to teacher licensure.
91% of students finish within
24 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,975
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of your degree. Finish faster, pay less!
Graduates who recommend WGU
97%
The vast majority of alumni say WGU delivered on its promises. In fact, over 50% of students found WGU thanks to a friend's recommendation.
COURSES & COMPETENCIES
Earth Science Education Courses
A nationally recognized curriculum designed to help you upgrade your teaching career with geoscience credentials.
WGU's online M.A. in Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) degree program is an affordable, flexible path for current teachers who want to add a geoscience specialization or endorsement to their license. (The specific grade levels you will be eligible to teach depend on your state’s licenses and endorsements.) Our curriculum focuses on effective strategies for teaching middle school or high school earth sciences and geology.
This program is made up of the following courses. You will complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. For the majority of courses in your program, you’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. This means that, for those flexible courses, you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost. Within your program, there may be a few number of courses in which we partner with outside organizations or testing agencies, and there may be restrictions for available offerings or necessary time for completion of the courses. Please work with your Program Mentor to plan ahead regarding these less flexible courses in your program.
WGU is the nation’s largest provider of math and science teaching degrees.* Our M.A. for aspiring secondary geoscience/earth science teachers was designed (and is regularly updated) with input from experts on our Education Program Council, who know what it takes to successfully teach earth sciences in junior high, middle school, or high school. (The specific grade levels you will be eligible to teach depend on your state’s licenses and endorsements.)
The program also includes a home science lab kit. You will be provided access to order a self-contained laboratory kit—including science equipment, specimens and chemicals—to complete lab experiments at home. These at home lab-kits will be ordered at the beginning of the course in which it is needed, and it is encouraged for students to plan ahead with their Program Mentor when ordering these kits.*Source: NCES data
12 Courses
Program consists of 12 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Teacher Work Sample
Special requirements for this program
The final project requires that you write an original, comprehensive research paper that provides direct evidence of your ability to design and implement a multi-week, standards-based unit of instruction, assess student learning, and then reflect on the learning process.
“The mentors and instructors are great and when you ask for help their reply is timely and almost immediate.”
—Hilda Williamson
M.A. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Why WGU?
You Aren't On Your Own
WGU has Program Mentors who work with you from the day you start, all the way through graduation. They help you chart your courses, answer your questions, and ensure you can go through your program. You're not alone when you choose an online degree at WGU.
Flexibility You Need
Students choose WGU for their online degree program because of its flexibility. Whether you already have a full-time job, have responsibilities as a parent, or just have a busy schedule, WGU can work for you.
Strong Alumni Network
When you enroll in an online master's degree program at WGU, you join an impressive network of teachers. Over 13,000 students graduated from the Teachers College in 2021 alone, taking their skills and impacting the educational system all around the United States.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
When We Say Affordable We Mean It
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A Master's Degree Is Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time
No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused science teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.
WGU's geosciences education master's degree program is designed for licensed teachers who already have a bachelor's degree and who wish to improve their knowledge and teaching skills to teach earth science or geology at the junior high, middle school, or high school grade levels. This program is specifically designed for working adult students, so you can honor your current work and family responsibilities while completing your coursework.
"Perfect for a working schedule. There wasn't anything extra that wasn't expressly an assessment. I was able to prove that I knew much of the material and was able to move quickly through subjects I had experience with.”
—Jenny
M.A. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)
CAREER OUTLOOK
Calling All Teachers with a Passion for Earth Sciences
A nationwide shortage of STEM teachers has created a demand for educators with the knowledge and training to help students build solid science skills in the middle school/junior high and high school grades. WGU's M.A. in Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) degree program is specifically designed to prepare you to teach middle school or high school geology and earth science. The specific grade levels you will be eligible to teach depend on your state’s licenses and endorsements.
With a M.A. in Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) degree, you could qualify to teach earth science or geology at the junior high or high school level. Adding a master’s degree to your résumé can increase your career opportunities, employability, salary, and contribution to your department.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2022 Harris Poll Survey of 1,542 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
5%
Employment of all high school teachers is projected to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WGU Alumni Teach in Schools Across the Country
Graduates of WGU’s Teachers College have found meaningful, rewarding careers in classrooms at:
- Inclusionary K–12 classrooms
- Middle/junior high schools
- High schools
- Private and charter schools
Impressive Class of Graduates
Graduates of the WGU Teachers College include recipients of many professional honors, including:
- Gates Millennium Scholars
- Intel Grant for Mathematics and Technology
- Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award
- Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award
- Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award
ADMISSIONS
Master's Degree in Earth Science Education Admissions Requirements
If you enroll in a program that also includes a special endorsement, (such as the M.A. Science Education, with an endorsement to teach secondary geosciences) and you plan to eventually apply for the endorsement, the following is required of you:
- A copy of a valid teaching license.
- Official transcripts that demonstrate you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited university.
An Enrollment Counselor will instruct you as to when and how to submit your teaching license prior to or during your program.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
More About Earning This Degree
- About the M.A. in Science Education
- About Financial Aid
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?
