Teaching - Science, Earth/Space Science Emphasis

Start your journey toward becoming a science teacher with a bachelor's degree in teaching - science, earth/space science emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Rooted in research, experiential learning and field study, our program will certify you to teach any science course, especially earth and space science, to grades 4-12. Graduates of the program leave with a broad-based understanding of science, with specialized, in-depth knowledge of geology, oceanography, astronomy and meteorology. 

Throughout the major, you'll gain the knowledge, tools and techniques needed to develop curious, successful students. The opportunity to assist teachers in their classrooms throughout your four years — as well as student teach for a full semester — will help you to build your leadership skills, identify your preferred teaching style and discover how to best meet the needs of your learners.

You'll also get firsthand, real-world experience in the field of geology. Field-based courses may take you to the Black Hills and Badlands in South Dakota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or to the 230 acres of natural area right on campus. Alumni and current students cite the emphasis on fieldwork as the biggest advantage to this program over others — and you'll be doing it from day one.

With one of the most highly regarded education programs in the region, UW-Eau Claire produces new teachers that school districts actively seek. Our teaching - science, earth/space science emphasis grads go on to inspire the STEM leaders of tomorrow, making a positive impact wherever they go. 

The UW-Eau Claire Foundation provides many scholarships for incoming and current Blugolds. Many incoming students are automatically awarded scholarships for having outstanding academic achievements. There are also additional scholarships reserved for students seeking a science teaching degree from UW-Eau Claire. For example, the Paul and Francine Crownhart Blugold Promise Scholarship awards $1,000 to an outstanding incoming first-year student who has graduated from high school in Wisconsin, demonstrates financial need and is pursuing a math or science teaching degree.

Learn more about which resources are available to you by checking out our scholarships page.

Financial aid at UW-Eau Claire

Working to make your college education affordable is very important to us. We are here to walk you through the financial aid process and make applying for aid and paying your bill as easy as possible.

To get this process started, please contact our staff at Blugold Central — our one-stop-shop for tuition and financial aid. They will help you learn how to pay for your education and minimize debt, freeing you up to focus on academics and your science teaching degree. 

Learn more about our financial aid process at UW-Eau Claire.

Licensure information

The United States Department of Education requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure about whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Please note:

1. The licensure information assumes that a student has obtained a Wisconsin Teaching License PRIOR to applying for a teaching license in another state.
2. "Meets requirements" means that a student is eligible for a license with stipulations, typically for 1-3 years, in that state. The stipulations are likely to be specific testing requirements and/or competency through a course or examination of the history, culture and/or constitution of the specific state. In some instances, additional stipulations might be added.
3. State licensure requirements may change at any time. While the listing will be updated annually, a student must be aware that any particular state could move from Does Not Meet to Meets to Undetermined and back again over the course of a degree program.
4. Licensure questions should be referred to the Teacher Education Program Office (teacheredprogram@uwec.edu).

The requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Wyoming, District of Columbia

The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states: Delaware, New Jersey, New York

It has not been determined whether the requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Graduates of the teaching - science, earth/space science emphasis bachelor's degree leave well-prepared to inspire, motivate and educate the next generation. Upon completion of the program, you will be certified to teach any science course in grades 4-12 in a regular education setting, including biology, physics, chemistry and general science. You will also have special expertise and in-depth knowledge of earth science, space science, geology, oceanography, astronomy and meteorology.

With a teaching - science, earth/space science emphasis bachelor's degree, you will become a confident instructor with the tools to teach science to a variety of ages. Through observations, teacher assisting and a full semester of student teaching in your own classroom, you'll work toward building your resume — and your skillset. Alongside geology experts and exceptional teachers, you'll learn best practices in leading a successful classroom, while making valuable professional connections.

Classes for teaching - science, earth/space science emphasis majors may include:

• Earth Science
• Mineralogy and Petrology I
• Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
• Computers in Geology
• Field Geology I
• Chemical Principles
• Oceanography
• Earth Resources
• Astronomy-Solar System
• Climatology 

Learn more about the teaching - science, earth/space science emphasis major in the UWEC course catalog.

Thinking about a bachelor’s degree in science? Here are a few other programs you might be interested in exploring.