Best institutions to study Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach general science programs, or a combination of the biological and physical science subject matter areas, at various educational levels.
160 U.S. institutions graduated 1,021 Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1316, 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 Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach general science programs, or a combination of the biological and physical science subject matter areas, at various educational levels.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education program is designed to prepare individuals for teaching general science at various educational levels. This program falls under the broader category of Teacher Education and Professional Development, focusing on equipping future educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach both biological and physical sciences.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in education and training, psychology, and mathematics, providing a well-rounded foundation for teaching science subjects.
Credentials awarded
What Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree653 graduates / yr · 62 institutions64%
- Bachelor's degree277 graduates / yr · 92 institutions27%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate34 graduates / yr · 14 institutions3.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship32 graduates / yr · 10 institutions3.1%
- Post-master's certificate11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,911 |
| 2013 | 1,707 |
| 2014 | 1,786 |
| 2015 | 1,501 |
| 2016 | 1,446 |
| 2017 | 1,365 |
| 2018 | 1,513 |
| 2019 | 1,392 |
| 2020 | 1,217 |
| 2021 | 1,165 |
| 2022 | 1,272 |
| 2023 | 1,103 |
| 2024 | 994 |
| 2025 | 1,021 |
Top 50 institutions for Science Teacher Education/General Science 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-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 267 | 46% | $11,580 | $44,958 |
| 2 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 54 | 57% | — | $38,576 |
| 3 | American College of Education Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitMaster's | 30 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicMaster's | 29 | 53% | — | $26,967 |
| 5 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro, NMPublicMaster's | 23 | 57% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 90% | — | $43,129 |
| 7 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 18 | 60% | $20,981 | — |
| 8 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 16 | 85% | — | $45,211 |
| 9 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 14 | 75% | — | $44,715 |
| 10 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 14 | 33% | — | $34,646 |
| 11 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 13 | 77% | — | $47,698 |
| 12 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster's | 13 | 62% | — | $47,292 |
| 13 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 14 | Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OKPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sMaster's | 13 | 35% | — | $43,045 |
| 15 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 12 | 84% | — | — |
| 16 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 12 | — | — | — |
| 17 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicMaster's | 11 | 69% | — | — |
| 18 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 10 | 63% | — | $43,607 |
| 19 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicMaster's | 9 | 82% | — | — |
| 20 | Lesley University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 58% | $30,837 | — |
| 21 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor's | 9 | 86% | $25,823 | $57,665 |
| 22 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 62% | $24,653 | — |
| 23 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicMaster's | 8 | 69% | — | — |
| 24 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 46% | — | $42,373 |
| 25 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | 49% | — | — |
| 26 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicMaster's | 8 | 54% | — | $46,233 |
| 27 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 7 | 59% | — | $43,996 |
| 28 | Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 62% | $21,132 | $42,515 |
| 29 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 7 | 64% | — | $35,860 |
| 30 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 66% | — | — |
| 31 | Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 63% | $27,082 | — |
| 32 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 65% | — | $42,795 |
| 33 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicMaster's | 6 | 51% | — | $40,113 |
| 34 | Cambridge College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 6 | 11% | — | — |
| 35 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 81% | — | — |
| 36 | St Catherine University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 61% | $21,042 | — |
| 37 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 6 | 80% | — | $39,817 |
| 38 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 6 | 85% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 64% | — | $43,242 |
| 40 | University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Cayey, PRPublicBachelor's | 6 | 50% | — | — |
| 41 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 5 | 82% | — | $44,897 |
| 42 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 61% | — | $46,579 |
| 43 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicMaster's | 5 | 75% | — | $47,559 |
| 44 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MAPublicMaster's | 5 | 55% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicBachelor's | 5 | 58% | — | $44,845 |
| 46 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 57% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NEPublicMaster's | 5 | 58% | — | $42,001 |
| 48 | Wayne State College Wayne, NEPublicBachelor's | 5 | 52% | — | $42,589 |
| 49 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster's | 5 | 57% | — | $49,245 |
| 50 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NYPublicMaster's | 5 | 51% | — | — |
* 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 44 states & territories
Where Science Teacher Education/General Science 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 this program often pursue careers as middle school teachers, with opportunities also available in secondary education and postsecondary teaching roles. The job outlook for these positions is projected to decline by 2%, with approximately 40,500 annual openings and a median wage of $62,970, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1316
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 |
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1052 | $93,250 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1054 | $100,310 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~1,300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1051 | $103,170 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1053 | $94,980 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1043 | $101,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~100 | 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 Science Teacher Education/General Science 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
- History Teacher EducationCIP 13.1328976 graduates / yr128 institutions
- Biology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1322702 graduates / yr145 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, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree in this field.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in learning strategies, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a middle school teacher, secondary school teacher, or in postsecondary education roles.
What is the job outlook for science teachers?+
The job outlook is projected to decline by 2%, with about 40,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education?+
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education is CIP 13.1316 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 general science programs, or a combination of the biological and physical science subject matter areas, at various educational levels.
How many institutions offer Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education programs?+
160 U.S. institutions reported Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states & territories, awarding 1,021 credentials in the year. That is 2.6% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Science Teacher Education/General Science 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 Science Teacher Education/General Science 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 $43,549 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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