Best institutions to study Biology Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach biology programs at various educational levels.
145 U.S. institutions graduated 702 Biology Teacher Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1322, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13), and leads most directly to the Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2022).
About Biology Teacher Education programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach biology programs at various educational levels.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Biology Teacher Education program prepares individuals to teach biology at various educational levels. It falls under the broader category of Teacher Education and Professional Development, equipping future educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage students in the subject of biology. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about science and education and wish to inspire the next generation of learners.
Students in this program will develop core skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes learning strategies, education and training principles, as well as foundational knowledge in subjects like mathematics and psychology, all essential for teaching biology effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Biology Teacher Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree377 graduates / yr · 42 institutions54%
- Bachelor's degree288 graduates / yr · 111 institutions41%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate27 graduates / yr · 6 institutions3.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Biology Teacher Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 856 |
| 2013 | 895 |
| 2014 | 770 |
| 2015 | 611 |
| 2016 | 704 |
| 2017 | 649 |
| 2018 | 636 |
| 2019 | 680 |
| 2020 | 767 |
| 2021 | 861 |
| 2022 | 789 |
| 2023 | 763 |
| 2024 | 689 |
| 2025 | 702 |
Top 50 institutions for Biology Teacher Education, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 128 | 46% | $11,580 | $44,958 |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 98 | 43% | $21,535 | $42,566 |
| 3 | American College of Education Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitMaster's | 40 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicMaster's | 34 | 80% | — | $39,817 |
| 5 | Niagara University Niagara University, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 26 | 75% | $17,048 | — |
| 6 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 19 | 76% | — | — |
| 7 | SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 45% | — | $45,110 |
| 8 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 13 | 35% | $18,316 | — |
| 9 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicPost-degree cert. | 10 | 57% | — | $38,576 |
| 10 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 72% | — | $39,714 |
| 11 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 8 | 65% | — | $44,613 |
| 12 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 70% | — | — |
| 13 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 81% | $13,712 | $47,153 |
| 14 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 87% | — | $56,003 |
| 15 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 68% | $28,141 | $44,068 |
| 16 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 53% | — | $38,216 |
| 17 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 7 | 53% | — | $58,894 |
| 18 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 55% | $6,760 | $42,094 |
| 19 | Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 67% | $22,729 | — |
| 20 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 69% | $17,134 | $40,790 |
| 21 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 66% | $27,359 | $32,643 |
| 22 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicMaster's | 5 | 82% | — | — |
| 23 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 5 | 75% | — | — |
| 24 | SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, NYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 71% | — | $34,435 |
| 25 | SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 45% | — | — |
| 26 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 84% | $28,851 | $49,186 |
| 27 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 4 | 61% | — | $46,579 |
| 29 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 34% | — | $41,942 |
| 30 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster's | 4 | 57% | — | $49,245 |
| 31 | University of Mary Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 67% | $16,753 | $43,299 |
| 32 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor's | 4 | 64% | — | $46,970 |
| 33 | Turtle Mountain College Belcourt, NDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 43% | $3,883 | — |
| 34 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 71% | — | — |
| 35 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor's | 4 | 59% | — | $37,521 |
| 36 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo Arecibo, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 39% | $9,729 | — |
| 37 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicBachelor's | 3 | 46% | — | — |
| 38 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 42% | $18,824 | — |
| 39 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 3 | 61% | — | $56,188 |
| 40 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 41 | Lesley University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 58% | $30,837 | — |
| 42 | Salem State University Salem, MAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 3 | 50% | — | — |
| 43 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 47% | — | $44,977 |
| 44 | Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MNPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 3 | 57% | — | $44,850 |
| 45 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MOPublicBachelor's | 3 | 54% | — | $37,057 |
| 46 | Manhattanville University Purchase, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 58% | $23,949 | — |
| 47 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NYPublicMaster's | 3 | 60% | — | $39,689 |
| 48 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 75% | $27,621 | — |
| 49 | Geneva College Beaver Falls, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 61% | $19,540 | — |
| 50 | Francis Marion University Florence, SCPublicBachelor's | 3 | 43% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 39 states & territories
Where Biology Teacher Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2022, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Biology Teacher Education program can pursue careers as middle school teachers, secondary school teachers, and postsecondary educators in biological sciences. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 2% in this field, there are approximately 40,500 annual openings with a median wage of $62,970, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1322
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educationprimary SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Biology Teacher Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 37 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13).
- Physical Education Teaching and CoachingCIP 13.13147,066 graduates / yr415 institutions
- Reading Teacher EducationCIP 13.13156,128 graduates / yr305 institutions
- Music Teacher EducationCIP 13.13124,104 graduates / yr447 institutions
- Mathematics Teacher EducationCIP 13.13113,340 graduates / yr347 institutions
- English/CIP 13.1305
Language Arts Teacher Education 2,847 graduates / yr349 institutions - Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.13992,468 graduates / yr113 institutions
- Social Studies Teacher EducationCIP 13.13181,922 graduates / yr219 institutions
- Art Teacher EducationCIP 13.13021,858 graduates / yr258 institutions
- Health Teacher EducationCIP 13.13071,475 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Agricultural Teacher EducationCIP 13.13011,051 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Science Teacher Education/CIP 13.1316
General Science Teacher Education 1,021 graduates / yr160 institutions - History Teacher EducationCIP 13.1328976 graduates / yr128 institutions
- Trade and Industrial Teacher EducationCIP 13.1320695 graduates / yr31 institutions
- School Librarian/CIP 13.1334
School Library Media Specialist 578 graduates / yr34 institutions - Social Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1317498 graduates / yr66 institutions
- Technology Teacher Education/CIP 13.1309
Industrial Arts Teacher Education 389 graduates / yr33 institutions - Technical Teacher EducationCIP 13.1319356 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Spanish Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1330342 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Foreign Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1306264 graduates / yr61 institutions
- Family and Consumer Sciences/CIP 13.1308
Home Economics Teacher Education 261 graduates / yr38 institutions - Drama and Dance Teacher EducationCIP 13.1324242 graduates / yr49 institutions
- Chemistry Teacher EducationCIP 13.1323209 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Computer Teacher EducationCIP 13.1321183 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Business and Innovation/CIP 13.1303
Entrepreneurship Teacher Education 165 graduates / yr38 institutions - Earth Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1337144 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Physics Teacher EducationCIP 13.1329120 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Environmental EducationCIP 13.1338105 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Health Occupations Teacher EducationCIP 13.132789 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Speech Teacher EducationCIP 13.1331partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Driver and Safety Teacher EducationCIP 13.1304partial data40 graduates / yr4 institutions
- French Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.132526 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Communication Arts and Literature Teacher EducationCIP 13.1339partial data14 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Sales and Marketing Operations/CIP 13.1310
Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education limited data8 graduates / yr2 institutions - Latin Teacher EducationCIP 13.1333partial data7 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Psychology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1335partial data5 graduates / yr4 institutions
- German Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1326partial data4 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Geography Teacher EducationCIP 13.1332limited data2 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a middle school teacher, secondary school teacher, or a postsecondary educator in biological sciences.
What is the job outlook for biology teachers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2%, but there are about 40,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Biology Teacher Education?+
Biology Teacher Education is CIP 13.1322 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach biology programs at various educational levels.
How many institutions offer Biology Teacher Education programs?+
145 U.S. institutions reported Biology Teacher Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 39 states & territories, awarding 702 credentials in the year. That is 1.8% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Biology Teacher Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation, which Biology Teacher Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,370 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $44,002 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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