Liz O'Neill Running the Respiration Module at a Local School
About the Program
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education offer a joint two-year program that allows students to get both a Master of Arts (MA) in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Chemical Education along with a single subject teaching credential. During year two, students can earn an additional Master's in Education, if desired. This program is intended for people who are interested in teaching Chemistry at the secondary level. The first year of the program takes place in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where students split their time between:
- Taking chemistry graduate courses
- Working and doing research with the SciTrek program
- TAing for general chemistry
The second year of the program is spend in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education where students split their time between:
- Taking education graduate courses
- Student teaching
The second year of the program is designed to broaden students understanding of education while allowing them to practice and build the teaching skills needed to teach chemistry at the secondary level?
Former Student Comments
Being a part of this program is what has made me into the educator that I am today. In addition to the rigorous coursework, being a TA throughout the Master's program allowed me to work with college students and working with SciTrek allowed me to work with hundreds of elementary students. In this regard, I was able to prepare to work with all types of students before I even entered TEP. Finishing this program with TEP then allowed me to fine-tune my pedagogy, making me more than prepared for my first year teaching."
~ Sierra Gordon, Class of 2017, Abraham Lincoln High School
Being able to get a Master's in chemistry before getting my teaching credential was the most beneficial thing that I could do to become a successful teacher. Being a part of the chemistry department solidified my content knowledge in the subject and allowed me to become an "expert" in the field. The next year when I went into TEP I felt confident in my content so I was able to focus on building the pedagogical skills necessary to support all students. The faculty in both the Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Education departments were extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. I am so thankful that I got to be a part of this unique experience and I know that my time in this program shaped the teacher that I am today."
~ Breanna Snyder, Class of 2015, Santa Monica High School
Application Information
For application instructions please refer to the TEP (Teacher Education Program) website. Please note the following:
- The E-APP application deadline for the joint program is January 16, 2024.
- When starting your application you must select "Chemistry" as your major and "Master of Arts (MA) in Chemistry (CHEM)" as your degree objective
- The TEP website prompts differ from the E-App essay prompts
For more information about the program
e-mail Dr. Darby Feldwinn (feldwinn@chem.ucsb.edu)