Undergraduate Certificate and Minor

Illustration of Welcome to STEM Education

Preparing STEM majors to advance the understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM Education comprises a partnership in the University of Arkansas between its Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and College of Education and Health Professions.

Enhance your degree by pursuing any one of these three options:

  • Earn a certificate in STEM Education — 9 credit hours
  • Earn a minor in STEM Education — 15 credit hours
  • Earn a minor and an Arkansas teaching license in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics for grades 7-12 or Computer Science licensure in grades 4-12. One degree — multiple career options — 30 credit hours

STEM Education Certificate STEM Education Minor

The 9 credit-hour STEM Education Certificate and the 15 credit-hour Minor in STEM Education are designed for STEM majors who want to:

  • Strengthen communication skills
  • Understand how people learn STEM
  • Use research-based strategies to explain complex ideas clearly

These programs are great for students exploring careers in teaching or science communication.

Note: These do not lead directly to teacher licensure but, with advising, courses can count toward licensure programs in Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physics or Computer Science

How to Get Started

Enroll in one or both of the following courses:

STEM 12001 — Introduction to Teaching STEM Subjects

This course provides a preview of what it is like to teach STEM subjects. Engaging activities that model effective teaching practices, discussions of STEM education issues, and optional school observations will help STEM majors clarify interest in teaching as a career or as an additional skill as a STEM professional. Fulfills the UNIV 10051 University Perspectives requirement.

Fulfills the UNIV 10051 University Perspectives requirement

STEM 12102 — Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM Subjects

Along with learning classroom strategies for engaging students and organizing a lesson, student pairs plan and teach three inquiry-based lessons (choice of math, science, or computer science) in a local school classroom. For STEM majors but open to all who are interested in exploring teaching as an additional career option.

Great for any student interested in teaching

Next Step

Ask your advisor to add the STEM Certificate of Proficiency (STEM-CP) or the STEM Education Minor (STEM-M) to your degree plan.

Teach a STEM Subject — Secondary Grades

Want to explore your teaching options? See Why Teaching a STEM Subject Is Right for You has further details.

The overview Course Requirements for Certificate, Minor, and Teacher licensure (Google Drive doc) details the three pathways.

Contact a STEM Education Advisor