Texas State University is one of the best universities in the nation to prepare for a career as a physics teacher.

Our successful program has two main pillars:

  • a caring, supportive, tight-knit community of students and faculty
  • a tradition of thinking deeply and critically about physics education, with an emphasis on research-based instructional practices.

If you have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, you may opt to enroll in the Physics Bachelor’s Degree with Teacher Certification. Alternatively, you can complete the standard Physics Bachelor’s Degree and then enroll in one of our post-baccalaureate programs.

If you have already completed your bachelor’s degree or wish to earn your teaching credentials after earning your bachelor’s degree, you have four options.

How to Apply:

Physics Bachelor’s Degree with Teacher Certification

This four-year program involves simultaneously earning bachelor’s degrees in both physics and education. You will earn the 7-12 Physics/Math certification.

Course Requirements

  • Physics content courses: Following the introductory sequence, choose from courses such as quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetic field theory, and advanced physics laboratory.
  • Physics Cognition and Pedagogy: In this two course sequence, you will learn about physics-specific pedagogy, physics education research, and historical, philosophical, and cognitive perspectives on the learning, teaching, and discovery of physics.
  • Teaching and learning: You will join fellow future educators in learning about teaching in the secondary classroom and meeting the needs of diverse students.

RADIANS Teacher Scholarship Program

Earn a $10,000 scholarship for committing to teach for 2 years.

Teaching Experiences

  • Become a learning assistant: Teach courses you have recently completed alongside university faculty. Your primary role will be to facilitate dialogue over difficult concepts. You will take a course on physics education that will help you to improve your teaching.
  • Student teaching: In your final semester, you will teach alongside an experienced 7-12 mentor teacher in a school setting.

Community

Every future physics teacher is individually mentored by expert faculty over several years, from their first physics courses through graduation, student teaching, job hunting, and the adjustment to their first classrooms. We aim to form life-long relationships with future colleagues in physics education!

Teacher Recruitment Program

This accelerated program allows you to earn your certification after only two full-time semesters and complete your master’s degree while teaching full time. You must be able to make a daytime commitment from the beginning of the program.

Course Requirements

  • Prior to certification: Take 5 courses on teaching in secondary classrooms during your first semester and then learn about educating students with mild disabilities while you student teach in your second semester.
  • Post certification: To earn an MEd in Secondary Education, continue with courses on research, educational technology, and evaluation and complete a capstone course.

Teaching Experiences

  • First semester courses are taught at a Round Rock ISD high school where you will have the opportunity to put theory into practice.
  • Student teach during your second semester in the program.
  • Teach professionally with a full salary while completing your master’s degree course work.

CMEd: M.Ed. in Secondary Education + Initial Teacher Certification

You can earn 7-12 Physics/Math Certification along with your M.Ed. in Secondary Education. A total of 36 credit hours are required.

Course Requirements

  • CI 5390 Research Seminar in Education
  • CI 5314 Human Growth and Development II
  • CI 5333 The Secondary Curriculum
  • CI 5363 Strategies for Improving Secondary Teaching
  • CI 5370 Classroom Management, Discipline, and Legal Issues
  • RDG 5324 Developing Content Area Literacy in Middle and Secondary Schools
  • EDTC 5310 Introduction to Educational Technology
  • CI 5306 Evaluative Techniques for the Classroom Teacher
  • 12-15 hours in a minor in another academic area

Teacher Experiences

  • Student teach after completing 4 of the certification courses.
  • You may complete your master’s while working full time but are strongly encouraged to graduate within one year of becoming certified.

Post-bac “stand-alone” teacher certification

You can earn 7-12 Physics/Math Certification.

Course Requirements

  • Blocks include reflective observation of students and teachers in a school setting. 
  • You will spend two full days a week on a school campus.

Teacher Experiences

Choose one of the below two options depending on opportunities available. University Supervisor will mentor and evaluate you.

  • Student teach under the supervision of a mentor teacher while enrolled in the student teaching courses EDST 4681.
  • Complete an internship as a full-time, paid teacher while completing the internship courses: 2 semesters of EDST 4681.

M.S. in Physics with a Minor in Secondary Education

You can earn 7-12 Physics/Math Certification along with your M.S. in Physics and a Minor in Secondary Education. A total of 39 credit hours is required.

Course Requirements

  • Physics courses (18 hours): Take courses in quantum mechanics, math methods, statistical physics, electromagnetic field theory, physics education research, and more.
  • Thesis hours (6 hours): Complete your research project. A topic in physics education research is recommended.
  • Education courses (15 hours): Complete 5 courses required for certification. These courses may be taken online.

Teacher Experiences

Choose one of the below two options depending on opportunities available. The University Supervisor will mentor and evaluate you.

  • Student teach under the supervision of a mentor teacher while enrolled in the student teaching courses EDST 4681.
  • Complete an internship as a full-time, paid teacher while completing the internship courses: 2 semesters of EDST 4681.

Our Team

Dr Hunter G. Close

Dr. Hunter G. Close

Associate Professor
Department of Physics

Dr. Eleanor W. Close

Dr. Eleanor W. Close

Associate Professor
Department of Physics & Astronomy