How to Get Started
Thanks for your interest in the Science Education Graduate Certificate program! When you become an graduate certificate student, you’ll join more than 25,000 teachers, community college instructors and informal educators who have used this program as a pathway to enhance their careers, gain invaluable content knowledge, and integrate innovative learning strategies in their classrooms. Through our interactive online learning communities, Science Education Certificate students often form lifelong friendships and collaborations with their fellow educators from around the world.
Becoming a Bobcat
The Science Education Graduate Certificate program is part of Montana State University, Montana’s largest university and one of the country’s top-tier doctoral-granting research institutions. As such, enrollment requires admission to MSU’s Graduate School.
If you just want to take a few credits credits for professional development, you may enroll as a non-degree-seeking student. If you wish to work toward a 12-credit graduate certificate, you would enroll as a certificate-seeking student. If you’re not sure, you can enroll as a non-degree student, then later switch into a program. (You can transfer up to 3 credits into a 12-credit certificate program).
Find out more about MSU enrollment on our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact the Science Education graduate certificates program manager Holly Thompson at hollythompson@montana.edu.
Registering for Science Education Graduate Courses
Once you are enrolled as a Montana State University student, you will register for courses via MSU’s “MyInfo” system. Courses are offered in Fall, Spring and Summer, and enrollment generally opens a few months before the semester starts. Course lengths and start dates vary depending on number of credits and other factors. You can see currently each semester or view all the courses from course catalog page.
Why choose Science Education Graduate Courses?
The online Science Education Graduate Certificate program (originally known as NTEN) was funded by the National Science Foundation in 1993 as an innovative and flexible platform for science teachers to gain content knowledge. We celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2018 and are proud of serving teachers in all 50 states and many countries around the world. All are dedicated educators who want to improve their lives and those of their students.
Deciding to continue your education can be a daunting decision, especially when you are immersed in a teaching job while balancing family, friends and personal interests. Coursework from Montana State University is rigorous and immersive, so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. But setting off on this path can open your eyes to new ways of thinking, offer a sense of accomplishment, and fill your brain with energizing ideas for your classroom. we do think it is a decision that can change your life – and those of your students’ – in a very positive direction.
