Science Education MA
- Master's Degree
An Online Science Education Master’s Degree
Are you a teacher who wants to become a better science educator? Our online Science Education Master of Arts is designed for you. This degree is flexible and can be completed in just two years, all while you keep teaching.
What You’ll Learn
Our program will help you improve your knowledge of science disciplines and your K-12 teaching. You’ll learn:
- Inquiry-based teaching
- New ways to assess students
- Laboratory and field safety
- Advanced teaching methods for all kinds of learners
You can focus on biology, chemistry or earth science, or take a broad mix of science education courses.
Complete Action Research In Your Classroom
Our program involves action research. This means you’ll try new teaching techniques in your own classroom and see how well they work.
Advance Your Science Teaching Career
Secondary Science Teaching
This master’s degree will help you:
- Elevate and expand your science teaching.
- Improve your school’s science curriculum.
- Earn more money if your school district rewards a master’s degree.
More importantly, you’ll encourage your students to use science to answer their own questions.
This degree does not lead to a teaching license, but it’s ideal for a teacher who already has one or who teaches in classrooms that do not require licensure.
Teach Dual Enrollment & College Courses
If you complete this program by including 18 credits either biology (BIO), chemistry (CHEM) or earth science (ESCI), you will be eligible to teach college courses in that topic. This includes concurrent / dual enrollment courses, in which students earn both high school and college credit in the same course.
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
The online delivery provides convenient access for educators to attend from anywhere. Some courses will include weekly synchronous (scheduled) course sessions, where instructors and students “meet” online at the same time.
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 30-credit master’s degree program.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Jori Moore
Enrollment Counselor
Byron Straw
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Scholarships and Graduate Assistantships
You may qualify for scholarships and/or summer Graduate Assistantships (GAs) to support you as you learn. GAs will work with the elementary and secondary education programs on campus or remotely. Positions last eight weeks (June and July).
- Sixteen hours/week: covers up to 10 credits of coursework over the summer plus a stipend.
- Eight hours/week: covers up to five credits of coursework over the summer plus a stipend.
Contact the Program Coordinator for additional information.
Partnership with Walking Mountain Science Center: WMSC offers a two-year, full-time graduate fellowship focused on K-12 field science education and leadership. Fellows earn this degree from UNC while working in beautiful Avon, Colorado.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Recommended Application Deadlines
For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:
- Summer term: March 15
- Fall term: June 15
- Spring term: Nov. 15
You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact an Enrollment Counselor for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Science Education (M.A.)
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.) Spring Term (Jan.) Summer Term (May)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status