OVERVIEW
Specialize in Teaching with a Master's in Biology
Biology is the study of life. Understanding and appreciating it are key to healthy, sustainable lives. As a biology teacher, you can inspire your students to marvel at how the world’s many life forms and ecosystems are all connected to each other.
This online biology master’s degree program can prepare you to teach science courses at the junior high and high school levels. The program helps ensure your proficiency in natural sciences, general chemistry, biology, and evolution. You will also learn the skills necessary to teach this content to students in junior high, middle school, or high school*.
*The specific grade levels you will be qualified or endorsed to teach will depend on your state.
Eligibility note: WGU's M.A. Science Education programs are for already-licensed teachers. The M.A. Science Education (Secondary Biology) program is for certified teachers who already hold a bachelor's degree and wish to add secondary biology to their existing licenses. This program is not intended for aspiring teachers seeking licensure or certification. If you are seeking your teaching certificate, please view our programs leading to teacher licensure.
62% of graduates finish within
17 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$4,125
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of earning your degree online. Finish faster, pay less!
Average salary increase
$25,614*
Graduates of this program report an average salary increase of $25,614 after completing their WGU degree.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
Biological Science Education Courses
Curriculum that ensures you’ve mastered the skills you’ll need as a biology teacher.
Program consists of 13 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
This online Master of Arts in Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) degree program provides the essential skills, knowledge, and experience you need to teach biology courses to students in junior high, middle school, or high school. The WGU M.A. Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) program was designed (and is regularly updated) with input from the experts on our Education Program Council. These respected authorities know exactly what it takes for a graduate to be an outstanding biology teacher.
The program also includes a home science lab kit. You will be provided access to order a self-contained laboratory kit—including science equipment, specimens and chemicals—to complete lab experiments at home. These at home lab-kits will be ordered at the beginning of the course in which it is needed, and it is encouraged for students to plan ahead with their Program Mentor when ordering these kits.
This program is made up of the following biology courses. You will complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. For the majority of courses in your program, you’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. This means that, for those flexible courses, you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost. Within your program, there may be a few number of courses in which we partner with outside organizations or testing agencies, and there may be restrictions for available offerings or necessary time for completion of the courses. Please work with your Program Mentor to plan ahead regarding these less flexible courses in your program.
13 Courses
Program consists of 13 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Teacher Work Sample
Special requirements for this program
The final exam requires that you write an original, comprehensive research paper that provides direct evidence of your ability to design and implement a multi-week, standards-based unit of instruction, assess student learning, and then reflect on the learning process.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.
- Teaching: Developed comprehensive and effective lesson plans based on a deep knowledge of the subject matter, ensuring the delivery of engaging and relevant content to students.
- Classroom Management: Successfully built strong rapport with students, fostering a positive and supportive classroom environment that promoted student well-being and academic growth.
- Problem Solving: Utilized various mathematical techniques and applications to solve problems, demonstrating a grasp of mathematical principles and their practical implications.
- Curriculum Development: Planned instruction that seamlessly integrates principles and theories of learning.
- Differentiated Instruction: Effectively selected strategies that support differentiated instruction for all students, ensuring that individual learning needs, abilities, and interests are met, resulting in an inclusive and effective learning environment.
- Educational Assessment: Assessed educational needs and progress using formative and summative assessment data, facilitating data-driven decision-making for continuous improvement.
“Best decision I made. I managed to do my master's in one term and it saved me so much money. I didn't think a master's degree to further my career would be financially or physically possible due to working full time. WGU made it to where it could happen. I highly recommend WGU if you're considering going back to school. It's not easy if you're not dedicated, self disciplined, and goal oriented, but they have mentors who help keep you on track.”
—Kristina Gomez
M.A. Science Education (Secondary Biological Science)
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Why WGU?
You Aren't On Your Own
WGU has Program Mentors who work with you from the day you start, all the way through graduation. They help you chart your courses, answer your questions, and ensure you can go through your program. You're not alone when you choose an online degree at WGU.
Flexibility You Need
Students choose WGU for their online degree program because of its flexibility. Whether you already have a full-time job, have responsibilities as a parent, or just have a busy schedule, WGU can work for you.
Strong Alumni Network
When you enroll in an online master's degree program at WGU, you join an impressive network of teachers. Over 13,000 students graduated from the Teachers College in 2021 alone, taking their skills and impacting the educational system all around the United States.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
When We Say Affordable We Mean It
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A Master's Degree Is Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time
At WGU, we understand that you have professional responsibilities, family obligations, and personal commitments. That’s why we offer a personalized, flexible approach to higher education. You'll be challenged. You'll put in hours of hard work. And you'll get a solid, career-focused education that fits your life. Complete your coursework online, anytime and anywhere your schedule allows, and move through assignments and assessments as quickly as you're able.
WGU's biology education master's degree program is for licensed teachers who want to specialize in teaching biology.
"The WGU model of competency-based learning fits the working person's ability to complete coursework. Taking my previous knowledge and experience into account allowed me to complete my Master's in Biology Secondary Education in less than 4 months. I would recommend WGU to anyone who is looking to get continued education. Thank you WGU for an amazing experience.”
—Elliott Dungan
M.A. Science Education (Secondary Biological Science)
CAREER OUTLOOK
A Master’s in Biology Education Paves the Way for Current Teachers to Take to the Next Step
If you're a licensed classroom teacher with a passion for the living world and how it works, you are ready to advance in your career by specializing in middle school or high school biology.
School districts in the United States consistently rank the sciences among their areas of highest need. Obtaining the M.A. in Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) degree will prepare you for secondary certification to teach kids biology.
Already-certified teachers who earn a master’s degree in biology education qualify to teach high school biology as well as teach in junior high and middle schools, depending on grade-level requirements in your state.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
5%
High school teaching positions are expected to increase by at least 5% from 2021–2031. With the crisis-level shortage of STEM teachers in America, that increase could be substantially higher for science teachers.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WGU Has Alumni Teaching Across the Country
Graduates of WGU's online Teachers College have found meaningful, rewarding teaching careers in classrooms at:
- Inclusionary K–12 classrooms
- Middle/junior high schools
- High schools
- Private and charter schools
Impressive Class of Graduates
Graduates of the WGU Teachers College include recipients of many professional honors, including:
- Gates Millennium Scholars
- Intel Grant for Mathematics and Technology
- Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award
- Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award
- Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award
ADMISSIONS
Online Master's in Biology Program Admission Requirements
If you enroll in a program that also includes a special endorsement and you plan to eventually apply for the endorsement, the following is required of you:
- A copy of a valid teaching license.
- All official transcripts that demonstrate you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited university.
An Enrollment Counselor will instruct you as to when and how to submit your teaching license prior to or during your program.
Transfer Credits
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
More About Earning This Degree
- About the M.A. in Science Education
- About Financial Aid
Our M.A. Science Education program is designed for licensed teachers who want to expand their abilities by adding a science endorsement.
You should pursue a master's in education based on what you want to do for your career. For many current teachers, adding to their existing license to expand or adjust the kind of teacher they want to be can be helpful. For example, a teacher who wants to pivot and teach science courses can pursue a master's degree in science education that allows them to expand on their current license.
Yes! There are online, accredited universities like WGU that allow students to pursue a master's degree in education online. Be sure to find a program that is reputable and will help you get the correct license for your state.
There will be a small practicum in the capstone for the degree. You will be teaching a multi-week lesson plan to a body of at least 10 students. This lesson plan usually consists of about 10 hours of in-class time.
WGU is approved to offer federal student aid. You will need to apply using the FAFSA, which is used to determine your eligibility for aid. WGU’s FAFSA school code is 033394.
Scholarships are available for new WGU students and returning graduates. This video shows more about scholarship opportunities and how they can help you pay for school. Get information on:
- How to apply
- Eligibility requirements
- Examples of scholarships
- What happens after you apply
- FAQs
- Other financial aid options
WGU's tuition is a flat rate that is charged every six months. You can take as many courses as you are able in that six-month term—with no extra cost. You simply pay for the term and do as much work as you can or want to during that time. This means that finishing faster helps you save money—a major benefit you won't find at most other schools.
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?
