Science Education Graduate Certificates - Masters of Science in Science Education

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

$302.82 per credit - MT Resident
$411.46 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."

"Their customer service aspects were great. When you called into the office and talked to the administrative staff, they were wonderful. They were good troubleshooters. They researched your questions and they got back to you. So that was very good."

Special Announcements

MSSE Graduate Vince Lorenz Named AAPG Foundation Teacher of the Year

Vince Lorenz has been recognized for his extraordinary teaching as this year’s AAPG Foundation Teacher of the Year. He is one of only 27 teachers to have ever received this honor. MSSE would like to congratulate Vince on this latest achievement!

Vince graduated from the MSSE Program in 2020. He also accompanied MSSE on its first international trip to Nepal in 2023, where he visited local schools and completed a trekking expedition in the Everest region. He is held in high regard by his administration and colleagues and brings a global perspective and real-world problem-solving to geoscience education, engaging and challenging his students.

Patrick Simmons and his dad, Roger Simmons

MSSE Graduate Patrick Simmons earns Doctoral Degree

Patrick Simmons graduated from the MSSE program in 2007. He taught science for 16 years before serving in administration for 6 years. He is currently a middle school principal in Virginia.

Patrick completed his Doctor of Education in Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University in May of 2024. His dissertation in practice (Capstone) can be accessed here: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/edd_capstone/35/

MSSE Welcomes New Instructor Chris Pavlovich

Chris earned her master’s in science education, graduating from the MSSE Program in 2016 before completing her PhD through the MSU Department of Education. She is a state and national award-winning educator and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2022—the most prestigious recognition granted to STEM teachers by the U.S. government. Included among her many talents is the ability to make STEM subjects relevant and accessible to students with projects that apply science principles to real world situations.

Don’t miss the opportunity to have Chris as your instructor for three upcoming MSSE courses: Exploring Biology, Plant Science: It Grows On You, and Land Use Issues in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

SUMMER AND FALL 2024 COURSE REGISTRATION

Registration opens on March 25th! Check out the full schedule of popular summer field courses, as well as the extensive list of online offerings for the summer and fall semesters.

Summer 2024 Courses

Fall 2024 Courses