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Science Teacher Preparation and Development in the Heart of Silicon Valley

The Science Education Program at San José State University is well positioned to meet the increasing demand for well-qualified and prepared science teachers in our community. Our program focuses on three aspects of science teacher education: recruitment and undergraduate experiences, pre-service training and preparation at the credential level, and professional development for in-service science educators. Our network of partners within SJSU and with school districts in the greater San José area ensures that our students receive essential hands-on training to fully prepare themselves for careers as science educators.

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Science Education Program

Our program focuses on three aspects of science teacher education: recruitment and undergraduate experiences, pre-service training and preparation at the credential level, and professional development of in-service science educators.

View Our Academic Programs

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Are you looking to enhance your teaching skills and expertise?

San Jose State’s Master of Science program in Science Education is a flexible program designed to provide K-12 teachers the opportunity to enhance their understanding of science teaching and learning in accordance with the Teacher Education Program.

Get Your MS in Science Education

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Ever think about what it would be like to become a science teacher?

To earn a teaching credential, you will need to enroll in our graduate level credential program. There are quite a few steps to apply, learn what you need to do now so that the transition is easy. Contact us to find out more information at scied@sjsu.edu!

Apply Now

Congratulations!

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Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer!

Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer recipient of the NSTA  Annual Research Worth Reading award for her article, "Teaching health justice and reimagining narratives of place through community-driven science practices." This award is given to three research groups whose 2023 JRST articles inspire excellent teaching innovations.

Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 60(8), 1817-1852

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Congratulations to Dr. Resa Kelly!

Congratulations to Dr. Resa Kelly, elected 2024 Chair of the American Chemical Society, Division of Chemical Education. 

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Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer!

Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer, recipient of the San José State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) 2022 Early Career Investigator Award (ECIA)! This award recognizes tenure-track SJSU faculty who have excelled in areas of research, scholarship, and creative activity during their probationary period at SJSU. 

Celebration of Research

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Congratulations to Dr. Cassandra Paul!

Congratulations to Dr. Cassandra Paul, 2023 Faculty Award Honoree for Outstanding Professor! 

SJSU NewsCenter

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Congratulations to Dr. Cassandra Paul, Dr. Resa Kelly and Dr. Jennifer Avena!

Congratulations to Dr. Cassandra Paul, Dr. Resa Kelly, Dr. Jennifer Avena, and Dr. Gina Quan (Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy), recipients of the California State University's Office of the Chancellor CSU CREATE Award (Creating Responsive, Equitable, Active Teaching and Engagement Award) in the amount of $222,000 for their proposal "Agents of Change: Faculty-Learning Assistant Partnerships Supporting Active, Engaging, Equitable Learning Environments."  

SJSU NewsCenter

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Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer!

Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer, recipient of an NSF Career award for the grant: "CAREER - Transforming Science Teaching and Learning through Empowering Teachers and Students as Climate Justice Action Researchers and Change Agents."  

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Congratulations to Dr. Resa Kelly!

Congratulations to Dr. Resa Kelly, recipient of the 2021 Harry and Carol Mosher Award. The Silicon Valley Local Section gives the award annually to a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The Harry and Carol Mosher Award was established in 1980 to: recognize and encourage outstanding work in chemistry, advance chemistry as a profession, and recognize service to ACS.

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Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer!

Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer whose publication "I think at first glance people would not expect me to be interested in science: Exploring the racialized science experiences of high school students of color" was chosen for a Research Worth Reading award by the National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST). 

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Congratulations to Dr. Ellen Metzger!

Congratulations to Dr. Ellen Metzger who has been invited to work on an initiative of the CSU Chancellor's Office - Academic and Student Affairs. Dr. Metzger will be assisting with the development of a report of the effects of the current Covid-19 pandemic to environmental literacy and sustainability efforts across the state of California.

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Congratulations Dr. Cassandra Paul, Dr. Tammie Visintainer, Dr. Resa Kelly, Dr. Katherine Wilkinson and Dr. Marcos Pizarro!

Congratulations to PI Cassandra Paul and CO PIs Tammie Visintainer, Resa Kelly, Katherine Wilkinson, and Marcos Pizarro who were awarded an NSF DUE AWARD #1953760 in the amount of $1,699,833 over the next 5 years for the grant: "Transforming Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Through Culturally Sustaining, Active, and Asset-Based Approaches to Introductory Science Courses." 

College of Science News

Student Spotlight

Shining a light on our students as they share their experiences in the program and we recognize them for their amazing achievements!

Student Spotlight

Updates and Reminders

General Science CSET - Prep Workshops

Individuals throughout California can register for this FREE online workshop series.
 

General Science CSET - Prep Workshops

Fee Waiver for CSET

For more information about the fee waiver, eligible exams and individual eligibility requirements, please visit the California Educator Credentialing Assessments website.

Fee Waiver FAQ's

Testing Centers reopen

Testing Centers are starting to reopen where local guidance permits. If you have outstanding testing to complete, we recommend that you sign up as soon as possible.

For more information, visit the examination webpage for California Educator Credentialing Assessments.

Examination Website

Educational Technology Requirement

Please remember that to complete the program you must meet the level 1 tech requirement.

Follow this link to enroll for the free certification class. (NOTE: do not enter SJSU when it asks for your institution, or you will be charged for the class as an employee instead of enrolling for free as a student.)

Free Certification Class

U.S. Constitution Requirement

For students still needing to fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement, here's an online exam that they can take. It is offered through Notre Dame de Namur University.
 

U.S. Constitution Exam

CPR Requirement

The credential office is now accepting fully online CPR courses due to COVID-19. We are recommending this course as it covers Infant, Child and Adult CPR and it meets the American Heart Association guidelines.

(NOTE: because this certification is only good for one year and it is an exit requirement, we recommend that you wait until mid-way through the program or later to meet the requirement).

Recommended CPR Course

California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA)

Review up-to-date information about the impact of school closures on CalTPA participation and options available if your clinical practice experience is delayed.
 

CalTPA