M.S. in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Education

Earn Your Master’s Degree in Chemistry Education Emphasis

A Master’s of Science in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Education degree from Grand Canyon University (GCU) helps students with a background in chemistry find new career paths. Graduates of this master’s in chemistry education degree emphasis will be taught to teach undergraduate chemistry courses while being able to demonstrate scientific inquiry skills within the context of practical examples. This includes mechanisms of disease and therapeutics and advanced chemistry concepts like identifying and explaining the physical, chemical and atomic properties of matter.

GCU’s chemistry master’s degree with an emphasis in education is designed to improve the content and pedagogical knowledge of teachers of chemistry who may already possess a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. This non-licensure version of the master's in chemistry with an emphasis in education degree program is shorter in duration as it does not include the 15-week student teaching component. This is ideal for those who already have their teaching license but looking to position themselves for possible career advancement. This degree is designed for postsecondary education.

Admission into the chemistry master’s degree with an emphasis in education at GCU requires a few prerequisites. You’ll need a:

    Bachelor’s degree in chemistry; or
    
    Bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a specialization or emphasis in chemistry; or
    
    Bachelor’s degree and a completion of one year of undergraduate organic chemistry and a course in biochemistry

Choose GCU for Your Online Master’s in Chemistry With Education Emphasis

GCU offers an online master’s of chemistry education degree emphasis for working professionals and for those already juggling a full schedule. MS in chemistry online classes are designed to provide the coursework needed to advance your chemistry knowledge, while still maintaining your active lifestyle. This means that GCU’s online master’s in chemistry education emphasis courses can be taken anytime and from anywhere. You will receive the same type of support from expert faculty and adjunct staff as you would on campus, allowing you to efficiently achieve a higher education.

12%
Job Growth for postsecondary teachers to increase by about 12% from 2021 to 2031.1

Chemistry Master’s Degree With Education Emphasis Course Topics

Both chemistry knowledge and teaching skills are the core focuses in the master’s in chemistry education degree program at GCU. Postsecondary level chemistry teachers will need to know how to navigate the coursework and the university teaching landscape. Teaching at the postsecondary level, especially in online environments, requires excellent communication skills.

You will be taught effective pedagogy skills, such as whole-class and structured group work, to assist chemistry professionals in adapting to the teaching environment by applying learning theories in the classroom. This on-campus and online master’s in chemistry with an education emphasis equips chemistry professionals to lead classroom dialogue and use effective instructional methods by developing activities, assessments and lesson plans. Topics and courses covered in the master’s in chemistry education degree program include:

    Medicinal chemistry
    
    Organic and inorganic chemistry
    
    Analytical chemistry
    
    Biochemistry

    Current applications in chemistry
    
    Curriculum design
    
    Adult learning theories

As a student in the chemistry master’s program, you will receive instruction on developing your teaching abilities that include the necessary skills to be prosperous in the classroom. Graduates of the master’s in chemistry education emphasis program have the opportunity to study both theoretical and practical applications of both science and instruction.

Career Paths for Chemistry Master’s Degree Graduates

Graduates of the master’s degree in chemistry education emphasis at GCU are prepared to teach chemistry at the postsecondary level. You may find work at:

    Universities
    
    Colleges
    
    Community colleges
    
    Trade schools
    
    Science research/development institutions

STEM careers are on the rise and teachers in those areas are needed more than ever.1 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for postsecondary teachers to increase by about 12% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 159,400 jobs in the field.2 GCU’s Master of Science in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Education degree program helps students with a chemistry background fill these openings at postsecondary institutions.

If seeking licensure or certification, applicants to the program are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval. In addition, fingerprint/background clearance is required.

1 Abbott (2021, Jan. 26). Why STEM Careers Are More Important Than Ever. Retrieved on May 23, 2023.

2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers, retrieved on March 23, 2023.

3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Chemists and Materials Scientists as of May 2021, retrieved on March 23, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as chemists and materials scientists. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.

4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Postsecondary Teachers as of May 2021, retrieved on Jan. 19, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future