Secondary STEM Education

Boise State’s STEM Education program offers “two degrees in one” for talented STEM majors who want to make a difference in their community, gain cutting-edge knowledge in their field, and build valuable teaching skills.

Explore Degree Options

The College of Education is dedicated to providing STEM majors with quality education, field experience, and content knowledge to help them become exceptional STEM Educators. Led by an interdisciplinary team of expert faculty, STEM ED partners with degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geosciences, Mathematics, and Physics to provide a pathway to teacher certification in the various disciplines.

Why become a STEM teacher?

STEM Education faculty also support schools through outreach, click below to request help with a STEM night.

STEM Night Support Request

Application Timeline

Suggested STEM-ED Coursework Timeline

Explore STEM-ED

Complete at least 6 credits in a STEM subject area. Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Complete STEM-ED 101 (1 credit), STEM-ED 102 (1 credit), ED-CIFS 201 (3 credits), and STEM-ED 210 (FS) (3 credits)
Choose a STEM Education degree path and meet with content and Education advisors

Apply to Teacher Education

Deadlines are always the 1st Friday in February or the 3rd Friday in September.
Apply through teacher education.
Complete an interview with STEM Ed Faculty

Mid-Program

Pass your subject-area Praxis exam(s).
Complete STEM-ED 220, STEM-ED 310, STEM-ED 430 (for some programs), and STEM-ED 410.
Maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Apply for Apprentice Teaching

Apply for Apprentice Teaching via Taskstream. Deadlines are always the 1st Friday in February or the 3rd Friday in September.
If approved, complete STEM-ED 480

View all STEM-ED Field Course websites

Degree Planning

For more information about STEM degrees with a Secondary Education emphasis, including 4-year degree plans, please use the Degree Options feature in Boise State’s Major Finder.

Please also meet with your content advisor and a Secondary Education advisor. For more information on Secondary Education programs, please check the Secondary Education website.

Additional Mid-Program Information

Once admitted into Teacher Ed, you will work toward your STEM degree while completing the Secondary Education Emphasis courses listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. You must maintain a 3.0 degree-box GPA. It is a good idea to check in at least once per semester with your content and Education advisors.

Mid-Program STEM-ED Courses

STEM-ED 220: Perspectives on Science and Mathematics (3 credits)
STEM-ED 310: Classroom Interactions (3 credits)
STEM-ED 430: Life, Earth, and Physical Science for Teachers (4 credits-only required for some programs)
STEM-ED 410: STEM Teaching Methods (3 credits)

Praxis Exam(s)

Before you apply to Apprentice Teaching, you’ll need to register for and take the Praxis exam in your subject area(s) and earn a score that meets or exceeds minimum scores required by the Idaho State Department of Education.

Praxis Exams by Content Area

Praxis exams are challenging, and registration times are limited, so plan ahead.

Additional Apprentice Teaching Information

Application Deadlines

FALL – Applications due first Friday in February
SPRING – Applications due third Friday in September

Apprentice Teaching Application Requirements

To be admitted into your Apprentice Teaching semester of Teacher Ed, you must complete the following:

Access your Taskstream Account – Login to the same account as your Initial Application.
Meet Praxis Requirements – Elect for your official scores to be submitted to Boise State University. In addition, upload your unofficial results to Taskstream as a PDF. (Note: You do not have to have your Praxis tests taken to be admitted into Professional Year, but it is a good idea to get started on them around this time.)
Criminal Background Check – The packet for the background check can be picked up on the 7th floor of the Education Building.
Unofficial Transcripts – Meet the minimum degree-box grade point average of 3.00.
Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment passing score – STEM-ED students should have taken the ICLA at the end of STEM-ED 310. Anyone who has taken the course in Fall 2021 or later needs to have a passing score of 70 to be admitted. Please upload your scores in Taskstream.
Apprentice Teaching Placement Preferences – Please complete the form to indicate your placement preferences for STEM-ED 410 and 480. Complete the Placement Preferences form

Apprentice Teaching Courses

If approved for Apprentice Teaching, plan to complete this course in your final semester:

STEM-ED 480: Apprentice Teaching (6-12 credits)

Materials Request for Secondary STEM Education Students

Pick up and drop off materials in EDUC 441 9:00AM – 3:00PM Monday – Friday

All materials requests need to be submitted one week prior to the requested pick-up date. If you need materials sooner than a week, please email Annabel Dodge at annabeldodge@u.boisestate.edu. Or, ask your instructor for help. It’s important to review the inventory sheet prior to submitting your order to make sure we have the supplies you need, especially food items.

The list of pre-made kits and materials inventory, as well as the materials request form can be accessed through the following links:

Materials Inventory

Materials Request Form

Learn More About the Program

Have questions or need more information? Contact us or explore related degrees and careers.