About
Do you want to share your love of chemistry with others? Graduates of the Chemistry (BS) - Secondary Education degree at Appalachian State University are prepared to teach chemistry at the high school level. Based on the reputation of the Department of Chemistry and Appalachian’s Reich College of Education teacher preparation program, students often receive multiple job offers and can work at the high school of their choice.
Appalachian’s Department of Chemistry is an accredited program of the American Chemical Society (ACS), and students are able to graduate with an ACS certificate. Its programs are multi-disciplinary and combine innovative and intellectually challenging curriculum, scholarship and service/engagement opportunities that employ state-of-the-art technologies. About half of all chemistry majors conduct research directly with a faculty member and present at national or regional conferences. There is no graduate program in chemistry at Appalachian, so the 29 faculty members focus entirely on undergraduates.
After Graduation
Employment: Most graduates go directly into teaching. Graduates of this degree often receive multiple job offers and can work at the high school of their choice.
Professional Licensure
This is a program that leads to licensure or certification. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.
If this applies to you, check the U.S. Department of Education for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at Appalachian at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.
People
Courses
A 32-hour chemistry core and 24-hour professional education core, plus 10 hours of physics, 8 hours of mathematics, 5 hours of education that includes Teaching Science in Middle and High Schools and Reading in the Content Areas, and 8 hours of another science.
Students can obtain a secondary science endorsement, which qualifies them to teach other physical sciences, by taking at least 12 semester hours in either Biology, Geology or Physics.
Related Programs
Minors
A minor is optional.
Engagement Outside the Classroom
Forensic Club – for students interested in forensic science, computer forensics, toxicology or a career in law enforcement.
Appalachian Chemical Society – the campus chapter of the American Chemical Society.
Global Learning
Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.
All education majors at Appalachian have an option to perform their student teaching abroad. In addition, depending on their research topic chemistry majors are allowed to conduct research with faculty at any of Appalachian’s international partners.
Admission Requirements
Admission to Appalachian’s Teacher Education Program is required.
Why Appalachian?
- Students in this degree often receive multiple job offers and work at the high school of their choice.
- By taking CHE 3520 Instructional Assistance, students gain supervised teaching experience in an Appalachian chemistry classroom.
- Students can become qualified to teach other physical sciences by taking additional courses in either Biology, Geology or Physics.
- Opportunities to conduct research with faculty prepare students for other chemistry career paths, if they ever choose to leave teaching.
- Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Number of Students
About 5% of current chemistry majors pursue the Secondary Education concentration
Method of Delivery
On campus only
Careers
The American Chemical Society details career options in industry, academia, government, non-profit and entrepreneurship. Learn more >
Some of these education-related jobs may require education beyond a bachelor’s degree:
- Adult Education Teacher
- Chemistry Educational Researcher
- Curriculum Specialist
- Education and Training Administrator
- Education Management Specialist
- Educational Materials Sales Representative
- Science Writer
- Secondary School Teacher
- Training Specialist
- Tutor
- Vocational Instructor
View more career possibilities
Contacts
Dr. Claudia Cartaya-Marin
Chair
cartayacp@appstate.edu
828-262-2763