High School STEM Teaching
Design of Secondary Science BAE
The Secondary Science Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A.E.) prepares future middle and high school teachers with the strong disciplinary knowledge, inclusive pedagogy, and extensive classroom experience needed to lead today’s science classrooms with confidence. Through Western’s SMATE program, students develop deep content expertise alongside professional teaching skills and graduate ready for certification and employment as secondary science educators.
This major is structured around a core curriculum combined with one or more content-area concentrations. Here is an overview:
- Science Education Core (19 CH)
- Phys 114 or 161
- SCED 370
- SCED 481
- SCED 491
- 4 upper-division CR in concentration
- Plus one of
- Biology Concentration
- Chemistry Concentration
- Earth Science Concentration
- Physics Concentration
- General Science Concentration (Must choose alongside a primary concentration)
- Secondary ED Program (59 CR)
Students can design a pathway aligned with their interests and career goals while completing all Washington State teacher certification requirements within one cohesive degree. Concentrations include biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics, with options to combine these with general science or a math education minor. The program is intentionally structured so that many students can graduate within four years, depending on concentration choices.
Throughout the program, students engage in early and ongoing field experiences in regional middle and high school classrooms. Small, interdisciplinary courses foster collaboration and strong relationships with peers and faculty, while cohort-based experiences and personalized advising support students from entry through certification. Graduates leave the program prepared to teach diverse learners, build scientific literacy and critical thinking, and make a meaningful impact in classrooms and communities.
Secondary Science BAE Concentration Pathways
Choose 1 or more concentrations:
Each aligns with WA State secondary science endorsement areas and credit-saving course overlaps.
*Plan of Study Worksheet coming soon!
Biology
- University Catalogue
- Plan of Study Worksheet and Recommended Schedule
Chemistry
- University Catalogue
- Plan of Study Worksheet and Recommended Schedule
Earth Science
- University Catalogue
- Plan of Study Worksheet and Recommended Schedule
Physics
- University Catalogue
- Plan of Study Worksheet and Recommended Schedule
Combine any concentration(s) above with:
General Science Concentration
Write a purpose statement for adding Gen Science Concentration (The general science concentration cannot be chosen on its own, as that endorsement is not granted by the state without a disciplinary endorsement first.)
Secondary Math Minor
Although mathematics is not a concentration attached to this degree, a student can add a math endorsement by adding the secondary math minor which contains all the courses needed for the math endorsement.