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College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Academic Information

This degree serves students who wish to teach physics in secondary schools (grades 6-12). Firmly grounded in physics, with significant work in teacher preparation through the highly acclaimed NAUTeach science and mathematics teacher certification program, the program prepares you to gain expertise in physics while earning your Arizona teaching certification.

This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

This program is nationally recognized by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education - Physics?

If you have a fascination with physics and a passion for helping others understand it, you may enjoy a career in teaching high school physics. Earning a degree in secondary education and physics could be the best way to get there.

While you develop expertise in physics, you'll also take course preparing you to develop curriculum and make your classroom a productive environment for your students. Enjoy a rigorous but collaborative learning environment, where you'll graduate ready to put your new-found knowledge to work shaping the educational experiences of generations to come.

Note: In addition to being admitted to the university, you must also meet the additional admission requirements and apply for admission to the Professional Education Programs.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:

Secondary physics teacher
Tutor
Curriculum specialist

With further education, one of these paths is possible:

Counselor
School psychologist
Curriculum specialist
Superintendent

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

University Requirements

To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may transfer up to 69 units of credit from a Maricopa Community College.

98 - 100 units of major requirements which includes 39 units of Teacher Preparation coursework requirements.

Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, professional knowledge, and professional dispositions to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements.

Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills, and professional dispositions are demonstrated through student (or candidate) performance in all Major Requirement Courses.

Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Major GPA	2.5
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 239
Additional Admission Requirements	Required
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching	Required
University Honors Program	Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S	Recommended
Progression Plan Link	Not Available
Licensure	This program may lead to licensure.

Purpose Statement

The NAUTeach program equips secondary mathematics and science students (or teacher candidates) with the knowledge and practices necessary to teach diverse learners in ways that are rigorous, equitable, and responsive to all students. Our program provides a challenging undergraduate progression plan designed to prepare mathematics and science teachers for grades 6-12. The program emphasizes the teacher candidate's ability to develop research-based pedagogy through a STEM-focused, field-intensive, rigorous curriculum. Undergraduates are highly supported by faculty specializing in mathematics and science education research and who have years of professional classroom experience. Our program is designed for students with strong skills in mathematics or science, seeking certification to teach biology, chemistry, physics, Earth sciences, general science, or mathematics at the secondary level.

The NAUTeach program provides opportunities for you to:

Graduate in four years. Students earn a Bachelor of Science in education in their field of study.
Earn dual degrees. Students can earn degrees in specific fields of science or mathematics and in teaching science or math.
Have early classroom teaching immersion. Students are in the K-12 mathematics or science classroom teaching and observing from the first semester and throughout the NAUTeach program to prepare for their capstone student teaching experience.
Work cooperatively in a STEM-focused center. Course of study partnered with the Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Physics departments.
Experience "student-centered" instruction. Course structure supports deep student understanding of concepts related to teaching, science, and mathematics.
Develop numerous STEM-based lessons and a full STEM-based unit. Students teach numerous STEM lessons and a STEM unit at local secondary schools, which build towards a capstone student teaching experience that utilizes the full range of skills and experiences.
Engage in educational dialogue and planning. Students plan lessons that promote deep content knowledge, analytical reasoning, creative thought, and the use of appropriate teaching strategies.
Use technology to enhance learning. Students experience technology throughout NAUTeach courses and develop lessons that model technology use in 6-12 classrooms.
Earn scholarships, internships, and loan forgiveness. Numerous financial opportunities exist for secondary mathematics and science education majors.
Inspire future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to change the world.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Learner and Learning
- Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
- Use an understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
- Work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning and encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Content
- Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) they teach and create learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to ensure mastery of the content.
- Understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Instructional Practice
- Understand and use multiple assessment methods to engage learners in their growth, monitor learner progress, and guide the teacher's and learner's decision-making.
- Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, pedagogy, and knowledge of learners and the community context.
- Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Professional Responsibility
- Engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate their practice, particularly the effects of their choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt the practices to meet the needs of each learner.
- Seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth and to advance the profession.

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Details

Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

- To receive Professional Education Programs (PEP) approval, candidates must:
  - Be a declared Secondary Education major in this program.
  - Complete the Teacher Preparation Course TSM 101 with a Grade of "C" or better.
  - Complete the Program's Mathematics Foundations requirement with a Grade of "C" or better.
  - Complete the English foundations requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0. (If your English GPA is below 3.0, you may take an approved writing course to achieve the 3.0 GPA).
  - A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  - Complete and submit IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card; Youth Suicide Prevention Training; Professional Dispositions Modules; Equity Survey; and a Professional Responsibility Survey.

Transfer Block

- Students may transfer up to 69 units of credit from a Maricopa Community College.

Major Requirements

This major requires 98 - 100 units distributed as follows:
- Physics Course Requirements: 47 - 49 units
- General Math/Science Course Requirements: 12 units
- Teacher Preparation Course Requirements: 39 units
Take the following 98 - 100 units:
- A minimum NAU cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required.
- A grade of "C" or better or a grade of P for pass/fail coursework is required for all major requirements.
- To be cleared for student teaching, a GPA of 2.5 is required in major requirements.

- Physics Course Requirements (47 - 49 units)
  - MAT 136, MAT 137, MAT 238, MAT 239 (15 units)
  - Select from the following (4 - 5 units):
    - PHY 161 (4 units)
    - PHY 171* (5 units)
  - Select from the following (4 - 5 units):
    - PHY 262 and PHY 262L (4 units)
    - PHY 172* (5 units)
  - PHY 263, PHY 264, PHY 265, PHY 321, PHY 361, PHY 471 (18 units)
  - Select from the following (3 units):
    - MAT 316, MAT 335
    - PHY 301
  - PHY 333W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
  *PHY 171 and PHY 172 are strongly preferred.

General Math/Science Course Requirements (12 units)
- SCI 260 (3 units)
- Select from the following (9 units):
  - AST 180, AST 181L, AST 183, AST 184L
  - BIO 181, BIO 181L, BIO 182, BIO 182L
  - CHM 151, CHM 151L, CHM 152, CHM 152L
  - ENV 115
  - GLG 101, GLG 103L
  - MAT 285, MAT 402
  - PHS 101

Teacher Preparation

Teacher Preparation Courses (39 units)
The following coursework must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better except where noted.
- BME 437 (3 units)
- ESE 330 (3 units)
- POS 220 (3 units)
- TSM 101, TSM 201 (5 units)
- TSM 303W which meets the junior-level writing requirement. (3 units)
- TSM 304 (3 units)
- TSM 350, TSM 450 (6 units)
  - A Grade of "B" or better is required in at least one of these courses.
  - TSM 350 and TSM 450 may be repeated with a Grade of "C".
- TSM 495C which meets the senior capstone requirement (12 units)
- TSM 496 (1 unit)

Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:
- Admission to the Professional Education Programs (PEP).
- GPA and course grade requirements for degree program as stated in Additional Admission and Major Requirements.
- Complete all BSEd requirements which involves practicum experience with a practicing teacher. These required experiences are embedded in the major requirements courses.
- Pass the appropriate AEPA or NES Subject Knowledge test prior to student teaching.
- Completed online Student Teaching application one year prior to student teaching.
- Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by DPS with expiration date no earlier than the end of the student teaching term must be on file in the Professional Education Programs (PEP) (copy of front and back).
- All major coursework, with the exception of TSM 101 must be completed within the six years prior to student teaching (TSM 495C and TSM 496).
- Successful completion of required state and university training modules.
- All candidates must demonstrate professional and ethical standards of practice as described in the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and adhere to NAU’s and PEP’s Student Code of Conduct.
- All outstanding NAUTeach and PEP Alerts must be resolved per improvement plan.
- Attend mandatory Student Teaching Orientation.

The NAU Teach program was intentionally designed to lead to licensure or certification in the state of Arizona. As part of that program design, you must pass the Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam that aligns with certification requirements in the state of Arizona.

Students in the Secondary Education – Physics, BSEd may pursue a dual degree with the following plan:
- Physics, BS

General Electives

Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.

We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

You may not count more than one 'D' toward the major and emphasis requirements for this degree.

Arizona state teacher certification requirements leading to an Institutional Recommendation may change at any time and may impact program of study requirements.

This degree plan is supported through the NAUTeach program.

Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

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College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Academic Information

Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education - Physics?

Career opportunities that might be pursued:

With further education, one of these paths is possible:

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Overview

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Details

Additional Admission Requirements

Transfer Block

Major Requirements

Teacher Preparation

General Electives

Additional Information

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Academic Catalog - 2025-2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Secondary Education - Physics, Bachelor of Science in Education

Campus Availability

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