Science Education Graduate Certificates - Masters of Science in Science Education

Registration is Open for MSSE's Fall 2025 Trip to Nepal

Do you want to engage your students and inspire them to think like scientists?

Science Education graduate courses, supported by MSU's Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program, are designed to help elementary, secondary, community college, and informal educators develop a deeper understanding of science concepts, while interacting with and learning new techniques from other educators and researchers around the globe.

Our faculty are university scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and science educators, all experienced in online teaching.

How we are different from other online science education programs?

Our faculty practice a hands-on, inquiry-based style that mirrors the classroom and sparks new ideas
We facilitate connections among participants, so that teachers learn best practices from colleagues around the world
Credits come from Montana State University, a top-tier public research institution.

Graduate Certificates at a Glance

Graduate Certificates in Teaching

Chemistry, Climate, Earth Science, Elementary School Science, Life Science, Physics, STEM

Delivery

Online (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Immersive summer Field & Lab course experiences

Credits

12 Credits
6-year window of time to complete coursework
Credits earned toward the graduate certificates can be applied toward a Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) degree

Tuition

$314.96 per credit - MT Resident
$430.65 per credit - Non-Resident

About Montana State University

Montana State University is a doctoral-granting land-grant university located in Bozeman, Montana and is among the nation’s top research universities with faculty that explore health and biomedicine; energy and the environment; and transportation. Annual research expenditures exceed $100M and are used to support research across the colleges, departments, institutes and centers at MSU and across the state of Montana.

MSU is also known for its work in western history, Native American studies, architecture, and media and theatre arts. A number of faculty and students travel regularly to field sites in neighboring Yellowstone National Park. Recent new programs include paleontology, equine science and snow science.

Montana State University is known for its cutting-edge research and commitment to hands-on active learning.

What students say about the Science Education program at MSU:

Since its inception in 1993, more than 25,000 teachers from all 50 states and many foreign countries have taken the online science education graduate courses offered at MSU. Here are some of their comments:

"The interaction and discussion was as good as with most face-to-face courses that I have taken. The opportunity to assemble a student body from across the country was incredible, and the instructors made good use of sites, tools and resources that are available in the Internet and VERY much enhanced the course experience with those materials."

"These classes broke the mold. Physics of Sound, particularly, was true guided inquiry. The instructor seemed to always be there with additional questions, prodding, support, etc. The instructor and my colleagues made me stretch and reach beyond what I think I would have done on my own. True learning occurred."

When I first started taking courses, it was really just because I was interested in the subject and was hoping I could learn more and maybe be able to apply something to the classroom. And frankly I'm amazed at how much I could transfer. It was a lot more than I ever expected. Definitely, it's been worthwhile."

Special Announcements

Todd Kaiser Receives Academic Advising Award

Todd Kaiser, an MSSE instructor and the head of MSU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been named the recipient of MSU’s annual Academic Advising Award! This award recognizes him for his role in helping MSU students complete their degrees and go on to pursue rewarding careers. Sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, the award comes with a $2,000 honorarium and will be presented at 8:30am in Inspiration Hall on February 14, 2025. Congratulations, Todd!

Chris Pavlovich Named 2025 CADRE Fellow

We are pleased to announce that MSSE instructor Chis Pavlovich has been named a 2025 CADRE Fellow!

The CADRE Fellows program informs preK-12 STEM education researchers on best practices for success in the field of education research while emphasizing National Science Foundation practices and facilitating networking among research professionals.

Through CADRE, Chris will work with rural communities to expand the use of inclusive, scalable, and interdisciplinary STEM education models that connect curriculum to regional ecology. This equitable and place-based approach uniquely links instruction to local knowledge and empowers and informs rural students.

MSSE Fall 2025 Trip to Nepal

MSSE is currently accepting applications from anyone who wants to come along with us on this next adventure. Space is limited, so act now to reserve your spot!

Scan the QR code below or visit the following URL to learn more about this opportunity and complete your pre-application:

https://www.montana.edu/msse/nepal-2025.html