Do more than experiment and analyze. Spark the love of science in the next generation.

The BS Ed. in Chemistry Education prepares highly qualified teachers of chemistry. You’ll be certified to teach high school chemistry once all degree requirements and assessments are passed. At Southeast, our education students have an exceptional program of professional preparation including field experiences, theory, and pedagogy courses.

What You'll Do

  • Develop a strong knowledge of chemistry
  • Learn up-to-date techniques for teaching in the sciences
  • Have substantial and increasingly challenging teaching experiences in schools
  • Know how to differentiate instruction to help all students succeed
  • Be prepared to integrate technology in teaching

What Can You Do with a Chemistry Education Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Southeast Missouri StateMNS in Applied Chemistry, Biology or Science Education
  • University of Missouri-Ph.D.
  • University of Miami, OhioPh.D. in Chemistry Education

Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Oran, Kelly, Arcadia Valley, Farmington, Fredericktown, Sikeston, Dexter, Ste. Genevieve, Cuba, Sullivan, Scott County Central, Puxico, Ellington, Florida, Herculaneum, Perryville, Richland, St. Louis area, Windsor, Caledonia, Advance, Desoto, Kansas City, Rockwood, North City, South Iron County, California, Charleston, Portageville, Cape Career Center, Shawnee, Anna-Jonesboro.

Chemistry Education Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $62k

    High School Teacher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a secondary school teacher is $62,360.

  • $95k

    Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a postsecondary chemistry teacher is $95,250.

  • $61k

    Middle School Teacher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a middle school teacher is $61,810.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As a chemistry education major, you’ll prepare to lead your own classroom, gaining subject area knowledge as well as expertise in all areas of education. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required. 

"Critical Courses" are italicized and bold. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Education Courses - 47 Hours Required

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in education courses, with the exception of ED280 which requires a grade of ‘B’ or better.
  • ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession (3)
  • EF400 Student Teaching Seminar (1)
  • EX390 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child (3)
  • PY222 Development of the Adolescent (3)
  • SE307 Reading/Writing in the Content Area (3)
  • SE320 Techniques of Teaching Science (3)
  • SE350 Pedagogy 1: Principles of Effective Teaching (3)
  • SE355 Field Experience II (3)
  • SE365 Pedagogy 2: Secondary School (4)
  • SE380 Advanced Field Experience (3)
  • SE385 Pedagogy 3: Advanced Methods of Middle and Secondary Teaching (3)
  • SE390 Instructional Interventions for Middle and Secondary Students with Special Literacy Needs (3)
  • SE465 Student Teaching (12)

Chemistry Education – 40-42 Hour Major - No Minor Required

  • CH186 General Chemistry II (3)
  • CH187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • CH271 Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (5)
  • CH306 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
  • CH341 Foundations of Organic Chemistry (4)
  • CH342 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1)
  • PH120 Introductory Physics I (5)
  • CH531 Foundations of Biochemistry (3)
  • PL425 Scientific Reasoning (3)
Choose 3 Hours From:
  • BS108 Biology for Living (3)
  • BS218 Biological Science: A Process Approach (3)
Choose one of the following:
  • GO110 Physical Geology (3)
  • GO318/018 Earth Science: Process Approach (3)
  • GO320 Oceanography (3)
  • GO418 Meteorology (4)
Choose one of the following Environmental Science Electives:
  • BI332 General Ecology (3)
  • BS105 Environmental Biology (3)
  • CH450/EV450 Environmental Chemistry (3)
  • EV360 Recycling & Waste Management (3)
  • GO150 Earth Science: Environmental Hazards (3)
  • GO305 Environmental Geoscience (3)
  • GO372 Earthquakes & Society (3)
Additional Requirements:
  • CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
  • CH195 Chemistry Seminar 1 (1)
  • CH295 Chemistry Seminar 2 (1)
  • CH405 Engineering in Science Education (1)
  • MA116 Precalculus A (3)
  • MA139 Applied Calculus (3)

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

To be eligible for enrollment in the majority of courses offered by the Teacher Preparation Program
and required for a teaching degree (BSE, BSFCSE, BME), students must be admitted to the Teacher
Preparation Program (TPP). Students should apply for admission to the TPP upon having met the following entrance criteria:

  • 42 hours of coursework completed;
  • One of the following:
    • Composite/Superscore of 20 or higher on the ACT exam
    • Passing score on the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)*
    • Have a previous 4-year degree from an accredited college/university
  • The following course requirements met:
    • A minimum grade of 'C' in CF/PY120 The Child (Elementary, Early, and Exceptional) or PY222 Development of the Adolescent (Middle and Secondary)
    • A minimum grade of 'B' in ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession or ME222 Principles of Teaching Music.
  • International Students must also meet the following requirements:
    • C1 (CEFR) level
    • IELTS minimum score of 7.0 or TOEFL minimum score of 95
    • Note: This policy is for non-United States citizens who are not native English
      speakers. Students from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New
      Zealand are exempt from English proficiency verification

*Students already admitted to the University should take the MoGEA instead of re-taking the
ACT

The state of Missouri has high expectations for future educators. Students matriculating into education programs must meet the following standards to be recommended for licensure following degree completion.

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in both the area of content expertise and pedagogy courses. In addition, students must pass the Missouri Content Exam and the Missouri Educator Evaluation System for recommendation for licensure. Students must also fulfill other assessments such as a dispositions profile and be cleared through an FBI background check.

Freshman Year    

Fall Semester (14 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • CH184 (1) 
  • CH185 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (17 Hours)     
  • PY222 (3)
  • CH186 (3)
  • CH187 (1) 
  • CH195 (1)
  • MA116 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA

Sophomore Year    

Fall Semester (17 Hours)  
  • BS108 or BS218 (3) 
  • CH271/071 (5) 
  • MA139 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (16-17 Hours)    
  • ED280 (3) 
  • CH341 (4)
  • CH342 (1)
  • PH120 (5)
  • Environmental Science Elective (3-4)

Milestone: Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA, Passing score MoGEA, Complete MEP

Junior Year    

Fall Semester (16 Hours)    
  • CH405 (1) 
  • CH531 (3)
  • EX390 (3)
  • PL425 (3)
  • SE350 (3) 
  • General Education (3)  
Spring Semester (18 Hours)     
  • CH295 (2)
  • GO110/010 or GO320 or GO418 or GO318/018 (3)
  • SE307 (3) 
  • SE355 (3) 
  • SE365 (4) 
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: Passing score Mo. Content Exam; GPA in major 3.0

Senior Year    

Fall Semester (18 Hours)     
  • CH306 (3)
  • SE320 (3) 
  • SE380 (3) 
  • SE385 (3) 
  • SE390 (3) 
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (13 Hours)  
  • EF400 (1)
  • SE465 (12)

Milestone: Passing score Mo Content Exam, MoPTA, 2.75 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in Education and content courses

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Accreditations

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation Logo

TEACH Grant Program

Science teachers are in high demand across most of the United States and particularly in Missouri. Because of this there are forgiveness programs for different types of Federal loans in return for teaching science in a high needs school district (most in Missouri). In addition, students may be eligible to participate in the TEACH grant program which can pay up to $16,000 in college costs over four years and has a similar loan forgiveness program.

Location
Office
Rhodes Hall 306
Mailing Address

Department of Chemistry and Physics
One University Plaza, MS 6400
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701