Program Overview
Chemistry, Grades 8-12, Bachelor’s Degree Program at Asbury
As a chemistry education major at Asbury University, you’ll inquire, question and reach new heights, from research in the laboratory to discussion in the classroom. Through a student teaching experience and opportunities to conduct independent research projects, you’ll gain skills to effectively teach the scientific methods that uncover truths about what forms the world around us.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemistry Education Grade 8-12 degree program empowers graduates to pursue a career teaching chemistry in secondary school settings, driven by an intentional, holistic approach. Whether you’re seeking a career teaching high school chemistry in Kentucky or in other public and private educational institutions, our bachelor’s degree in chemistry education launches opportunities for teaching careers or for pursuing graduate programs.
Learn why Asbury graduates report high passing rates on the Praxis exam, a teacher certification assessment.
Secondary Education Certification and Postsecondary Pathways
Through immersive, experiential instruction in methods that uplift all learners, the bachelor’s degree also builds a foundation for students called to pursue graduate programs in teaching or researching secondary chemistry education. In 2020, the BLS reported that the mean annual salary for individuals teaching chemistry in post-secondary settings is more than $94,600.
Why Study Chemistry Education at Asbury?
Asbury chemistry education alumni are sought after by employers due to the holistic, interdisciplinary instruction, where students gain the skills and knowledge to pass certifying exams and become high school chemistry teachers who foster creativity and excellence in others.
To ensure quality for the public, the School of Education is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and is accredited at the state level by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
Chemistry Education Program Opportunities
Courses in this program focus on hands-on learning both in the lab and in the classroom, fueling your ability to teach chemistry creatively and effectively in high school settings and beyond.
Chemistry core courses cover topics like:
- General biology
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Analytical chemistry
- Chemical research
- Earth Science
- Physics
- Ethical issues in chemistry application and practice
In educational courses, you’ll gain a foundation in pedagogical topics such as:
- Technology for education
- Reading and writing in the discipline
- Learning performance and assessment
- Classroom management
- Secondary education methods
To ensure quality for the public, the School of Education is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and is accredited at the state level by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
As a chemistry education major, you can graduate backed by practical experience teaching chemistry in high school settings. Through the student teaching clinical experience and built-in independent research projects, you’ll prepare for teacher certification and learn how to apply your expertise in actual classrooms.
Alongside Asbury’s forward-thinking faculty and your peers, you can endeavor to present your independent research at conferences and research competitions, from the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) to the campus-wide SEARCH event.
Asbury University intentionally promotes exploration and growth through experiential learning experiences, daring our chemistry education majors to discover and reveal truth both in the lab and in the field.
Asbury offers travel courses in education and other subjects, where you can integrate learning, faith, missions and exploration by taking your studies to places as far as Haiti and China.
Life-Changing Experiences
From academic resources such as tutoring and accessibility services to career-oriented programs supporting future educators including grant opportunities and job placement assistance, Asbury is here to support you on your personal and professional journey.
Where you’ll Learn
As a chemistry education major, you’ll have access to Asbury’s science facilities, where you’ll use the latest technology and equipment in three dedicated chemistry labs.
Meet our Chemistry Education faculty
Industry-leading faculty in the Chemistry Education program are committed to instructing students in the latest practices in real-world lab settings.
Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Department Chair
Dean, School of Communication Arts
Department Chair of Media, Journalism, and Digital Storytelling
Department Chair of Communication and Theatre Arts
Dean, School of Christian Studies
Department Chair, Christian Thought
Wesley Scholar in Residence
Outcomes
What Our Alumni Do
The chemistry education major at Asbury prepares you to be a middle or high school chemistry teacher in public or private settings. Plus, many of our students in the Shaw School of Sciences pursue additional education, and in 2024 Asbury saw a record number of students pursue medical or Ph.D. programs in the sciences.
Student teaching practicum
All chemistry education students complete a student teaching practicum at local middle and high schools.
Alumni Stories
Only at Asbury
For the 2024 Search Symposium, Noah M. Clark ’24 presented: “In Light of This: A Call for Reconciliation Between Faith and Science” with faculty sponsor Dr. Wilson Shafer (assistant professor of chemistry). Her paper aimed to establish the phenomenon of light as fundamental common ground between both scientific inquiry and Christian faith, proposing it as a bridge for reconciling faith and science due to its enigmatic characteristics and importance to human existence. Through an analysis of the scientific perspective on light, its biblical significance, and its importance in understanding the nature of God, the integration of science and faith may once again be achieved through a discourse surrounding the phenomenon of light, emphasizing the importance of humility and faith in the pursuit of knowledge. The research included a special light presentation in Chapel.
