MA/MS in Biology, General

This graduate degree is offered jointly by the Education and Biology departments. It prepares high school biology teachers who can lead engaging lessons in grades 8 through 12. Students combine advanced biology content with education coursework, and the program is designed for people who want to bring real scientific depth into a secondary classroom. Coursework addresses how lessons are planned, delivered, and evaluated, along with special education, multicultural education, and support for English learners. Hands-on fieldwork and a practicum under supervision place learners in classrooms to test their teaching skills. Graduates who complete the program and state licensure requirements earn a Master of Education and are eligible for initial Massachusetts licensure to teach biology. Personalized graduate advising supports each student along the way. Teaching biology well requires both content mastery and sound pedagogy, and the program is built around that combination.