Program description
The graduate certificate in science content provides an 18 hour graduate-level experience
for students who are interested in deepening or broadening their understanding of
science, and may satisfy Missouri Department of Higher Education content requirements
for teaching dual-credit courses. Students choose a variety of science courses to
meet their goals in consultation with an advisor.
Admission criteria
To be considered for the program, a student must have a 3.00 grade point average in
a major in biological science, chemistry, geological sciences, physics or a closely
related field.
Accelerated Option
Eligible Missouri State University students may apply for acceptance into an accelerated
option for the graduate certificate in science content. This option offers science
majors whose goals, academic capabilities, and career planning include teaching science
an opportunity to complete the requirements for the graduate certificate in less time
than would otherwise be possible.
Requirements include completion of at least 60 undergraduate hours in a science major
with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a GPA within the major of at least 3.25.
If accepted, graduate courses chosen from approved 600-level courses may be counted
toward both the graduate certificate and the undergraduate degree, with a maximum
of 12 credit hours. Before enrolling in a course to be counted as both undergraduate
and graduate credit and to count the courses toward the graduate certificate, an undergraduate
student must be accepted into the accelerated program and complete a mixed credit
form. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the
end of the change of schedule period for the course(s). See the “Graduate College” section for further information.
Program requirements (18 Hours)
Complete an area of specialization in one of the following science disciplines:
Advanced biology
- 18 hours of biology courses at the 600 and 700 level
- Courses will be chosen to meet the student’s specific goals in consultation with the
advisor
Advanced chemistry
- 18 hours of chemistry courses at the 600 and 700 level
- Courses will be chosen to meet the student’s specific goals in consultation with the
advisor
Advanced Earth science
- 18 hours of geology and physical geography courses at the 600 and 700 level
- Courses will be chosen to meet the student’s specific goals in consultation with the
advisor
Advanced physics
- 18 hours of physics courses at the 600 and 700 level
- Courses will be chosen to meet the student’s specific goals in consultation with the
advisor