Graduate Certificates in Science Education 

SPRING COURSE REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 2!

Do you want to engage your students and inspire them to think like scientists?

Science Education graduate courses, supported by MSU's Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program, are designed to help elementary, secondary, community college, and informal educators develop a deeper understanding of science concepts, while interacting with and learning new techniques from other educators and researchers around the globe.

Our faculty are university scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and science educators, all experienced in online teaching. 

How we are different from other online science education programs?

• Our faculty practice a hands-on, inquiry-based style that mirrors the classroom and sparks new ideas
• We facilitate connections among participants, so that teachers learn best practices from colleagues around the world
• Credits come from Montana State University, a top-tier public research institution.

Graduate Certificates at a Glance

Graduate Certificates in Teaching

• Chemistry, Climate Science, Earth Science, Life Science, Physics, STEM

Delivery

• Online (Fall, Spring, Summer)
• Immersive summer Field & Lab course experiences

Credits

• 12 Credits
• 6-year window of time to complete coursework
• Credits earned toward the graduate certificates can be applied toward a Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) degree

Tuition (Fall 2026/Spring 2027)

• $350.95 per credit - MT Resident
• $473.80 per credit - Non-Resident

About Montana State University

Montana State University is a doctoral-granting land-grant university located in Bozeman, Montana and is among the nation’s top research universities with faculty that explore health and biomedicine; energy and the environment; and transportation. Annual research expenditures exceed $100M and are used to support research across the colleges, departments, institutes and centers at MSU and across the state of Montana.

MSU is also known for its work in western history, Native American studies, architecture, and media and theatre arts. A number of faculty and students travel regularly to field sites in neighboring Yellowstone National Park. Recent new programs include paleontology, equine science and snow science.

Montana State University is known for its cutting-edge research and commitment to hands-on active learning.

Announcements

MSSE Graduate Receives Fulbright Teacher Exchange Award

Chris Monsour, a 2011 MSSE graduate, recently received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Award for the 2026–2027 academic year!

 

Chris will be one of 2,500 U.S. citizens who will teach, study, and conduct research abroad, gaining experience with innovative educational practices related to technology, AI, and critical minerals.

 

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 and offers unique educational and cultural opportunities to exceptional Americans, as well as citizens from 160 other countries and locations. Through these experiences, the program helps develop leaders with expertise in innovation, research, and the advancement of critical industries—leaders who will be equipped to help the next generation develop essential skills and new perspectives.

 

Congratulations, Chris! We wish you all the best as you embark on this exciting international journey, and please keep us posted on your experiences!

Noyce Grant Supported MSSE Graduate Featured in MSU Article 

A $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Scholarship Program funded the tuition for six of our Summer 2026 graduates.

 

With the goal of supporting and retaining STEM educators in rural areas, this funding enabled these students to complete their MSSE degrees while teaching in Montana’s rural and American Indian communities. The grant is also supporting several other Montana teachers.

 

One of the Noyce-supported MSSE students, Christopher Quinlivan, whose capstone project focused on bringing 3D printers into the science classroom, was recently featured in an MSU News article.

 

Read more about Christopher, the Noyce Scholarship Program, and how it is supporting teachers in rural and American Indian communities: https://www.montana.edu/.../nsf-grant-worth-3-million...

MSSE Academic Advisor Holly Thompson Accepts New Position

After many years of serving as the MSSE Academic Advisor, Holly Thompson Reed will be departing the MSSE program as she begins a new position at Montana State University.

 

Holly has been an invaluable member of the MSSE team, supporting countless students through admissions, registration, advising, and graduation. Her dedication to our students and passion for science education have made a lasting impact on our program and the educators we serve.

 

As Holly shared with our students, one of the greatest privileges of her career has been being part of their graduate experience and the incredible community of educators that makes the MSSE program so special.

 

Please join us in thanking Holly for her years of service and wishing her all the best as she begins this exciting new chapter. We are grateful for everything she has contributed to the MSSE community, and while we will miss her greatly, we know she will continue to make a positive impact at MSU.

 

Congratulations MSSE Graduates

Please join us in congratulating the MSSE Program Class of 2026!

 

MSSE News Archive

View past MSSE news and announcements.

Archived News