Natural Science Education (6-12, Licensure)
In this major, you will study the fundamentals of physical, biological, and mathematical sciences to gain an understanding of the scientific concepts required to explain the natural world. This BS degree can be earned in four years (eight semesters).
With a degree in Natural Science Education, you will be well-prepared to teach science to middle and high school students in grades 6-12. This program also builds a strong scientific foundation for graduates pursuing careers in research, healthcare, environmental science, and other STEM-related fields.
A few things set CBU’s Natural Science Education degree apart from other science teacher requirements you’ll find elsewhere:
- A Multidisciplinary Science Foundation – The Natural Science Education major combines coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics with education coursework, so you graduate with the kind of broad scientific literacy a middle school or high school science teacher actually needs in the classroom, not just a single-subject specialty.
- A Direct Path to Tennessee 6-12 Teacher Licensure – CBU is approved by the Tennessee State Department of Education as a Teacher Training Institution, and CBU’s education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), giving you a clear, state-recognized pathway through Tennessee’s teaching certificate process.
- Hands-On Lab Experience Built Into the Degree – With lab courses woven directly into the 124-credit-hour program, you apply scientific methodology and techniques in real laboratory settings before you ever step in front of your own classroom.
Why Choose CBU for Your Bachelor of Science in Natural Science Education?
A BS in Natural Science Education from CBU is designed to prepare you for what comes next, whether that’s teaching junior high science, teaching science in middle school, or leading a high school biology, chemistry, or physics classroom. As a Natural Science Education major, you’ll build a multidisciplinary foundation across the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences, gain hands-on lab and classroom experience, and graduate with a degree that meets Tennessee’s teaching requirements for initial 6 – 12 licensure.
Skills You’ll Develop Earning a BS in Natural Science Education
You’ll build more than subject-matter knowledge. Throughout the program, students develop:
- Scientific Methodology and Technique – The ability to apply the scientific method and lab based techniques to real experiments, a skill built directly into the program’s hands-on lab courses
- 6-12 Classroom Instruction – Practical, subject-specific teaching skills for middle and high school science classrooms, developed through coursework and clinical experience.
- Multidisciplinary Science Literacy – A working understanding across biology, chemistry, physics, and natural science, so you’re prepared to teach across the full range of a 6-12 science curriculum.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving – The ability to explain complex scientific concepts about the natural world in ways that are accessible to middle and high school students.
- Readiness for Tennessee Licensure Requirements – Coursework and clinical experience aligned with what Tennessee’s Teacher Training Institutions require for initial 6-12 licensure in biology, chemistry, or physics.
Program Highlights
- Multidisciplinary focus across biology, chemistry, physics, and natural science
- Opportunities to apply scientific methodology and techniques in hands-on lab courses
- Licensure preparation built directly inot the degree
- Small classes with direct faculty access
- 124 total credit hours
What You’ll Study
The major requires 124 credit hours. In conjunction with the CBU Department of Education, you’ll take CBU general education and liberal arts courses, School of Sciences Support Requirements, plus coursework in biology, chemistry, natural science, physics, and teacher licensure requirements.
View Natural Science Education (6-12) Course RequirementsAccreditation
Christian Brothers University is approved by the State Department of Education of Tennessee as a Teacher Training Institution. CBU’s undergraduate and graduate education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Science Teacher in Tennessee?
To become a science teacher in Tennessee, candidates must complete a state-approved educator preparation program and pass the Praxis Subject Assessment in their content area — biology, chemistry, or physics — along with the required performance assessment. CBU’s Natural Science Education program is built around these Tennessee teaching certificate requirements, so graduates don’t have to piece together separate certification steps after they finish their degree.
High school science teacher requirements and middle school (6-12) requirements in Tennessee follow the same state licensure process through a Teacher Training Institution like CBU, so one degree prepares you to teach science across grades 6 through 12, not just a single grade band.
Becoming a Science Teacher in Memphis
Science teacher jobs in Memphis follow Tennessee’s statewide licensure process, since local school districts like Memphis-Shelby County Schools hire teachers who hold a valid Tennessee educator license. Because CBU’s program is a state-approved pathway, graduates benefit from having their licensure coursework, content assessment preparation, and clinical placements built into the degree itself, rather than pieced together after graduation.
How Long is a Teacher Preparation Program at CBU?
The Natural Science Education degree is designed as a four-year, 124-credit-hour bachelor’s program, including hands-on lab courses and clinical teaching experience. Because licensure requirements are built into the degree itself rather than added on afterward, most students are ready to apply for their Tennessee teaching certificate at graduation.
Careers with a Natural Science Education Degree
As a Natural Science teacher, you can have an impact on society as you train the next generation of scientists or teachers. Career paths in this degree include:
Science-Adjacent Careers – Roles in research, healthcare-adjacent fields, environmental science, and other areas that value a rigorous multidisciplinary science background.
6 – 12 Science Classroom Teacher – Teaching biology, chemistry, or physics in public or private middle and high schools across Tennessee, using the initial 6-12 licensure earned through this program.
STEM Education and Curriculum Roles – Applying scientific and pedagogical expertise in curriculum development, tutoring, or instructional support roles.
Graduate Study in the Sciences – Using the program’s strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics as a launchpad for graduate work in a science field.
Whether you’re asking how to become a science teacher or specifically looking into science teacher degree requirements in Tennessee, this program is built to prepare you for licensure and for a range of science-related careers beyond the classroom.
Is a Natural Science Education Major for You?
If you have interest in any of the following areas, this major may be for you:
Making science accessible and engaging for the next generation
Teaching science to middle and high school students
Biology, chemistry, physics, or the natural sciences
Hands-on lab work and scientific methodology
Working with adolescents and young adults
Meet the Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions – Natural Science Education at CBU
What degree do you need to be a science teacher?
In Tennessee, you need a bachelor’s degree from a state-approved educator preparation program, along with passing scores on the Praxis Subject Assessment for your content area. CBU’s Natural Science Education program is a BS degree built specifically to prepare graduates for initial 6-12 teacher licensure in biology, chemistry, or physics.
What are the high school science teacher requirements in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires prospective science teachers to complete a state-approved educator preparation program, pass the Praxis Subject Assessment in their content area (biology, chemistry, or physics), and complete the required performance assessment. CBU’s Natural Science Education program is approved by the Tennessee State Department of Education as a Teacher Training Institution and is accredited by CAEP, meeting these requirements directly within the degree.
How do I get a teaching license in Tennessee?
You’ll need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program, pass the required Praxis content and performance assessments, and apply for your license through TNCompass, Tennessee’s official educator licensure system. CBU’s program builds these steps into the degree itself.
Is becoming a science teacher in Memphis different from the rest of Tennessee?
No. Science teacher requirements in Memphis follow the same statewide Tennessee licensure process. Local districts, including Memphis-Shelby County Schools, hire teachers who hold a valid Tennessee educator license, which CBU’s program prepares students to obtain.
How long is a teacher preparation program at CBU?
CBU’s Natural Science Education program is a four-year, 124-credit-hour bachelor’s degree. Licensure requirements are built into the degree itself, so most students are prepared to apply for their Tennessee teaching certificate at graduation.
What can you do with a Natural Science Education degree?
Graduates are prepared to teach biology, chemistry, or physics to students in grades 6-12 in public or private schools, and can also pursue graduate study or careers in research, healthcare-adjacent fields, and other STEM-related areas.
Does CBU offer Natural Science Education as a bachelor’s degree?
Yes. CBU’s Natural Science Education program is a BS degree offered through the School of Sciences in conjunction with the CBU Department of Education, and it leads to initial teacher licensure for grades 6-12 in biology, chemistry, or physics.
