By TED Staff
December 2021
To get into most of the following list of online master’s of education in biology education, you will need to take GRE tests, and some may require you have already begun the process of certification. Some, however, do not offer certification.
Among the benefits of teaching biology is its essential quality: an applied field study. You can be that great teacher in hip waders in the Everglades or among mountain desert flora in northern Arizona, you will apply your practice for the sake of students dying to know. Of course, you can be academic and research-based in most if not all of these programs. Most of these online programs are cohort-based in structure, so you will have an incoming and graduating series of courses and fieldwork, with parallel peers and advisement with resident students.
The list below of master’s of education degrees in biology education online has been drawn up using the following points-based system:
Annual Out-of-State Tuition:
Under $10,000 — 5 points
Under $20,000 — 4 points
Under $30,000 — 3 points
Under $40,000 — 2 points
Under $50,000 — 1 point
Annual Percentage of 20-Year Return on Investment (ROI):
9%+ — 5 points
7-8% — 4 points
5-6% — 3 points
3-4% — 2 points
1-2% — 1 point
Graduation Rate:
Above 90% — 5 points
Above 75% — 4 points
Above 50% — 3 points
Above 25% — 2 points
Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
Under 10:1 — 5 points
Under 15:1 — 4 points
Under 20:1 — 3 points
Under 25:1 — 2 points
Note: In the event of a tie, the school with the lower annual tuition rate was awarded the higher ranking. All tuition numbers and other statistics are accurate as of December 2021.
#13. Grand Canyon University
Online Master of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Education
Phoenix, Arizona
Annual Tuition: $10,528
Total Points: 9
Grand Canyon University is the largest Christian university in the world. The school offers an online MS in biology education with coursework such as effective pedagogy for higher education and concepts of biochemistry. Grand Canyon University’s online MS in biology education is a 34 credit program. Prerequisites for the program pertain to three areas of one’s undergraduate degree: six specified biology courses, which includes microbiology; secondary education with specialization or emphasis in biology; or completion of one year of undergraduate general biology. No application fee is charged, but GRE or GMAT scores are required.
#12. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Online Master of Science in Teaching Biology
Urbana, Illinois
Annual Tuition: $27,187
Total Points: 10
The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public research university and the flagship institution of the University of Illinois. The school has a 32 credit hour, online MS in teaching biology degree, which includes emerging infectious diseases and learning in science among the program’s ten available courses, of which eight must be selected. For admission to the program, you must already have your teaching certificate. The application fee is $50.
#11. Western Governors University
Online Master of Arts in Biological Science for Secondary Education
Salt Lake City, Utah
Annual Tuition: $7,500
Total Points: 10
At the founding of Western Governors University in 1997, the transformative power of the internet was foreseen as a driving force for enhancing career possibilities for working adults. The school offers an online MA in science education that is a 14 course, competency-based program. A sampling of the coursework includes zoology and biology: content knowledge. A tuition rate of $3,240 per 6 month term is charged. Admission to Western Governors University’s online MA in science education requires a $65 application fee, teaching certificate, and official transcripts.
#10. SUNY at Brockport
Online Master of Science in Education in Biology Education
Brockport, New York
Annual Tuition: $23,100
Total Points: 12
For most of the nearly 180 years that State University of New York – The College at Brockport has been operating–from its beginnings as the Brockport Collegiate Institute–it has been a college for teaching teachers. In that same spirit, the school offers a 48 quarter credit hour, online MS Ed in biology education. Coursework includes advanced methods in science and reading research in adolescent science. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, $50 application fee, and GRE, MAT, or edTPA scores. If you have a teaching certificate, you do not need to submit test scores.
#9. Western Kentucky University
Online Master of Science in Biology
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Annual Tuition: $18,340
Total Points: 12
Western Kentucky University’s motto is “The Spirit Makes the Master.” The school offers an online MS in biology that is 32 credit hours and includes plant physiology and molecular basis of cancer in the coursework. Admission to Western Kentucky University’s online MS in biology requires three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a statement of purpose, 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and a $65 fee.
#8. Colorado State University
Online Master of Natural Sciences Education
Fort Collins, Colorado
Annual Tuition: $9,000
Total Points: 12
Colorado State University has adopted nine essential values, the last two of which are “to provide opportunity and access” and “to support excellence in teaching and research.” The school’s online master of natural science education unquestionably serves to fulfill both these values. Coursework in this 30 unit program includes pollution and environmental biology for educators and design and data analysis for researchers. Admission to the online master of natural science education program requires GRE scores, official transcripts, and a $60 fee.
#7. Oregon State University
Online Master of Arts in Teaching
Corvallis, Oregon
Annual Tuition: $26,109
Total Points: 13
Oregon State University’s online/hybrid MAT, as its title states, is part online and part hands-on classroom experience. Students will fulfill online coursework obligations but will also meet for scheduled sessions in OSU’s downtown Portland classroom building. The degree consists of 52 credits. Coursework includes assessment for learning and social justice in education. To apply to Oregon State University’s online/hybrid MAT, you should submit transcripts with a minimum 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, two essays about yourself, a resume, and a $75 fee.
#6. Mississippi State University
Online Master of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology
Mississippi State, Mississippi
Annual Tuition: $23,840
Total Points: 13
Mississippi State University, with the largest research and development budget in the state educational system, offers an online MS in secondary education. The 33-semester hour program was created to give new and not-so-new classroom teachers the opportunity to add to their knowledge and skills and includes such courses as improving instruction and issues of accountability. Admissions requires three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, official transcripts, GRE scores, a copy of your teaching certificate, and a $40 fee.
#5. Nova Southeastern University
Online Master of Science in Science Education
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Annual Tuition: $20,618
Total Points: 13
Chartered by the state of Florida in 1964, Nova Southeastern University might be considered relatively young compared to some other American colleges and universities, but the school has now grown to consist of 18 colleges and more than 150 programs of study. NSU’s 36 credit hour program includes courses in teaching inquiry-based life science and methods in science education. Admissions requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, official transcripts, and an application fee of $50.
#4. Northern Arizona University
Online Master of Arts in Science Teaching
Flagstaff, Arizona
Annual Tuition: $18,630
Total Points: 13
Through its Center for Science Teaching and Learning, Northern Arizona University offers an online MA in science teaching with the goal of making science “accessible to learners.” The degree consists of 30 credits of coursework. Advanced science teaching and learning and perspectives on science are two available classes. The highly-structured course of study calls for specified units in each of three areas: science education or education; science content electives; and required science content. To apply to Northern Arizona University’s online MA in science teaching program, a 3.0 GPA is required along with transcripts, a personal statement, and $25 application fee.
#3. East Carolina University
Online Master of Arts in Education in Science Education
Greenville, North Carolina
Annual Tuition: $17,898
Total Points: 13
East Carolina University utilizes Blackboard to deliver its online program in courses that are almost entirely asynchronous to better fit students’ lifestyles. The degree consists of 36 semester hours. Advanced studies in biological science for teachers and technology in science teaching, learning, and professional development are two of the courses offered. Admission to East Carolina University’s MAE in science education online calls for transcripts, a copy of your teaching license, three letters of recommendation, GRE or MAT scores, and a $70 application fee.
#2. University of Nebraska at Kearney
Online Master of Science in Education in STEM Education
Kearney, Nebraska
Annual Tuition: $13,656
Total Points: 14
The motto of the University of Nebraska Kearney is “We Are Difference Makers,” and–armed with the school’s online MSE in science education–you will certainly be able to make a difference. Among its coursework, the 36 credit hour program includes curriculum development in multicultural education and curriculum implementation. The University of Nebraska Kearney online MSE in science education asks for official transcripts and a fee of $50 to apply.
#1. North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Online Master of Arts in Teaching in Science, Secondary Education
Raleigh, North Carolina
Annual Tuition: $26,421
Total Points: 16
North Carolina State University’s Online and Distance Education web page encourages students to apply with these words: “This is the home of Think and Do. Learn from world-leading faculty and collaborate with high-achieving peers.” The school offers a 36 credit hour, online MEd in science education degree precisely designed to help you learn and collaborate. Coursework includes an introduction to research in science education and the foundations of science education. Admission to North Carolina State University’s online MEd in science education requires transcripts, three recommendations, a personal statement, and a $75 fee.
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