Biology Education

Middle and high school science teachers are some of the most sought-after professionals on the job market today. EMU’s program in biology with secondary education licensure prepares students to be both well-prepared scientists, and outstanding educators.

As a biology major with a secondary education licensure you will have an opportunity for hands-on learning in the lab and in the classroom. Research in state-of-the-art laboratories and a teacher education program with multiple experiences in classrooms throughout your college career give you an opportunity to apply learning in practical settings. In their senior year, students do a full semester of student teaching in a local school division.

Distinctives
- Faculty/Student collaboration on research
- Financial support for student- driven research projects; see the Kauffman & Miller Research Awards
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Reflective integration of your values with your disciplinary activities
- Suter Science Seminars provide opportunity for engagement with leaders in the field.
- Our teacher education program is nationally accredited through CAEP.
- Students get classroom experience within the first 5 weeks of the program.
- Students learn reflective practice techniques so that they continue to be the best teachers in their field, year after year.
- Students are mentored by PhD-level faculty who model being excellent educators by caring for students and calling out each student's gifts.
Practical Experiences
- At EMU, education students are in local classrooms, observing and learning, by their fifth week of classes.
- Local school divisions are richly diverse in culture, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
- Field experiences are embedded throughout program so that education students are in the field nearly every semester.
- Students are in a classroom full-time during student teaching, and receive regular feedback and assistance from the classroom teacher and an EMU representative.
- Student teachers also participate in Reflective Teaching Seminar class which provides additional support to students during the student teaching semester and covers valuable topics such as preparing for job searches and interviews.
- Students may choose more than one student teaching placement to experience multiple classroom settings and locations.
Outcomes
- Completing our program makes you eligible for a Virginia teaching license, and we'll process the paperwork for you.
- The Virginia Department Of Education reported in 2017 a shortage of more than 6,000 teachers.
- Harrisonburg and Rockingham County school supervisors seek EMU teacher-education graduates.
- The average starting salary for teachers in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County Schools is $44,000
- EMU teacher-education graduates often move on to graduate school to further specialize and often give leadership in administrative leadership roles.
- 100% of 2022-23 program graduates program graduates who sought positions in education were employed in education settings and graduated with an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.7.
- 100% of program graduates pass the state licensure exams.
- We will work with you to understand how to obtain a teaching license in another state if you want to teach outside of Virginia after completing our program.
Affordability
- Students pursuing a degree in biology, chemistry, computer science, or math with Teacher Education licensure are encouraged to apply for selection as a Noyce Scholar. STEM education students heading into their junior year at EMU are eligible for an annual scholarship of $10,000 or more during their junior and senior years.
- 99% of undergrads receive financial aid
- The average assistance package is over $37,000
- Over $21 million in aid is awarded each year
Financial aid packages often include:
Learn more by contacting EMU's Financial Assistance Office or checking out our net price calculator.

Biology Education

Financial aid packages often include: