OVERVIEW
An Online Physics Degree that Leads to a Teaching License
Archimedes’ principle. Transformation of energy. The theory of relativity. Your name doesn't have to be Einstein to make an impact on the world of physics. Become a physics teacher and exert a positive force on our next generation of engineers, physicists, and other scientific thinkers.
There is a growing shortage of qualified physics teachers in America's middle and high schools. If you have an analytical mind and a passion for understanding various aspects of the world we live in, you can help fill the void and discover a truly fulfilling career.
Through WGU's online B.S. Science Education (Secondary Physics) degree program, you will learn the skills necessary to teach this content to students in junior high, middle school, or high school*.
*The specific grade levels you will be qualified or endorsed to teach will depend on your state.
62% of students finish within
38 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 this teaching bachelor's degree faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,825
Put it together and you'll see that you're in control of the cost of your teaching degree. We charge tuition per-term instead of per-credit. Finish faster, pay less!
On average, students transfer
30 credits
Your associate’s degree or previous college may waive some courses through transfer. We review your transcripts for transfer credits, helping you accelerate this bachelor's degree in education.
COURSES
Secondary Physics Education Courses
A nationally recognized curriculum designed to help you become a highly qualified science teacher.
Program consists of 41 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
WGU's Bachelor of Science in Science Education (Secondary Physics) is an affordable, online degree that leads to teacher licensure. You will study important topics in physics relevant to today's middle and high school science curriculums.
To ensure WGU graduates acquire the knowledge and skills sought by today’s schools, this online physics curriculum was developed with significant input from experts and educational leaders who serve on our Education Program Council. Our online bachelor's degree for physics teachers is nationally recognized by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
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.
Students will take eight professional core courses that will prepare them to handle unique educational situations and become better teachers. These education courses focus on a variety of important topics including social and emotional learning, and technology and diversity inclusion in the classroom.
Plus, students will get to use augmented reality experiences to give them the opportunity to practice their work before entering the classroom. These eight professional core courses are also coupled with preclinical experience to help ensure teachers are ready for their classroom.
Some of the courses in this program may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you will complete 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.
Washington students, please note that you will be required to complete one additional course that is not listed below: Survey of Pacific Northwest History for Educators. View the Washington program guide.
41 Courses
Program consists of 41 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Professional Portfolio
Special requirements for this program
You will complete a professional portfolio, which will include your resume and Philosophy of Teaching Statement and serve as a way to showcase the skills you have acquired throughout your degree program and Demonstration Teaching.
“The format at WGU of a self-paced program allowing you to take as many classes as you want in a six month term really made the difference for me. Being very busy at work and at home, I knew that I did not want to dedicate 2 years of taking classes. Enrolling at WGU allowed me to utilize my summer break to accomplishing 80% of my degree before starting back for the new school year.”
—David N.
M.A. Science Education (Secondary Physics)
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 4 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
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 4 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
TRANSFER CREDITS
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
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 set up your Demonstration Teaching, learn about teaching certification in your state, and more. You're not alone when you choose an online education degree at WGU.
On Your Schedule
Students choose WGU for their online teaching 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.
Licensure In Any State
WGU's online science education degree prepares you for a teaching license in any state in the United States. It's valuable to learn the other requirements in your state to know the full process for gaining licensure.
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
An Affordable Secondary Physics Education Degree Program
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 College 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
Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused 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.
“I had two different schools fighting over me. I'm a highly qualified teacher and I absolutely love it. I'm going to do something worthwhile. I'm going to affect people's lives.”
—Ken S.
B.A. Science (Middle Grades)
CAREER OUTLOOK
Make a Fulfilling Career Move and Become a Physics Teacher
The middle and upper grades are when the wheels start turning for future generations of physicists, engineers, and other science-centric professionals. It takes great teachers to fuel their interest and fascination. WGU's online physics degree for aspiring teachers is a nationally recognized program that can help you help them discover their calling in life.
If you have an analytical mind and a passion for understanding various aspects of the world we live in, here’s our hypothesis: You will be an outstanding physics teacher. Prove it—earn your degree in physics online at WGU. Our highly regarded online bachelor's degree will prepare you to become an in-demand middle school or high school physics teacher.
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 high school teachers is projected to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a shortage of STEM teachers especially, job opportunities for science teachers should be especially strong.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WGU Has Alumni Teaching in Schools Across the Country
Graduates of WGU's online Teachers College have found meaningful, rewarding teaching 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
Secondary Physics Education Bachelor's Admission Requirements
Students who are seeking initial teacher licensure in a bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate, or master’s program must also pass a state-specific basic skills test for the state in which they live as a prerequisite to Demonstration Teaching (student teaching). (Registering and paying for the test is the student’s responsibility.) This requirement can be met either prior to admission or before beginning the Foundations of Teaching subject area once you are in your WGU program.
WGU’s teacher licensure programs also include Demonstration Teaching (student teaching). You must be at least 18 years of age before you may begin the application process or participate in Preclinical Experiences and Demonstration Teaching. You must also submit to a criminal background check prior to entering the classroom for this component of your program.
An Enrollment Counselor can help you best determine whether you have the sufficient background for entry into your program of choice.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
Transfer Credits
MORE DETAILS
Becoming a Licensed Teacher
State-specific licensure requirements: Each state in the U.S. has specific testing requirements that must be met or completed in addition to completing your teaching degree program at WGU. Teacher licensure requirements vary depending on state laws and may include a number of factors, such as:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree program
- Submission of transcripts
- Completion and clearance of a background check
- Passing of required entrance exams and basic skills tests
Preclinical Experiences
As part of this program, you'll participate in a wide range of in-classroom teaching experiences through at least 75 hours of in-classroom observation.
Demonstration Teaching
To help you prepare to work in classrooms, this program includes a student teaching component (we call it Demonstration Teaching, or DT). DT is a full-time, supervised, in-classroom experience of a minimum of 12–20 weeks during which you will be hosted by an experienced teacher and observed by a Clinical Supervisor. Your host teacher will evaluate your performance based on accepted professional standards. Learn more.
More About the B.S. in Secondary Physics Education
- More About Teacher Licensure
- Transfers
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?