Graduate Certificates in Science Education
Online Graduate Certificates and Professional Development for Science Educators
Spring 2026 Application Deadline is Dec 15th! View spring online course offerings
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, Earth Science, Elementary School 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
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Credits earned toward the graduate certificates can be applied toward a Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) degree
Tuition
- $332.96 per credit - MT Resident
- $449.50 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.
What students say about the Science Education program at MSU:
Since its inception in 1993, more than 25,000 teachers from all 50 states and many foreign countries have taken the online science education graduate courses offered at MSU. Here are some of their comments:
"The interaction and discussion was as good as with most face-to-face courses that I have taken. The opportunity to assemble a student body from across the country was incredible, and the instructors made good use of sites, tools and resources that are available in the Internet and VERY much enhanced the course experience with those materials."
"These classes broke the mold. Physics of Sound, particularly, was true guided inquiry. The instructor seemed to always be there with additional questions, prodding, support, etc. The instructor and my colleagues made me stretch and reach beyond what I think I would have done on my own. True learning occurred."
When I first started taking courses, it was really just because I was interested in the subject and was hoping I could learn more and maybe be able to apply something to the classroom. And frankly I'm amazed at how much I could transfer. It was a lot more than I ever expected. Definitely, it's been worthwhile."
Announcements
MSSE is returning to the Galapagos in June 2026!
New MSSE Instructor Receives Early Career Award
MSSE Director John Graves Announces Retirement
After a 47½ year career in education, Dr. John Graves will be retiring at the end of the Fall 2025 semester. Dr. Graves has been a cornerstone of the Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) Program since its inception in 1997—first as a teaching assistant, then as a core education instructor, and most recently as director.
Please join us in expressing our deepest gratitude to Dr. Graves for his decades of service, mentorship, and vision. His legacy will continue to shape the future of science education for years to come.
New STEM Certificate
We are now offering a Graduate Certificate in STEM Teaching!
STEM Teaching Certificate Curriculum
