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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Science Education, Secondary

If you are passionate about science and dream of becoming an educator who ignites a love for STEM fields in future generations, OBU’s Science Education program is tailor-made for you. We are dedicated to thoroughly equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to inspire young minds as you impart essential scientific knowledge. With access to our in-house planetarium, your training will be enriched with fascinating insights. Our program offers a diverse range of science courses that provide a solid foundation of knowledge, ensuring you are fully prepared to teach in the classroom and inspire others in the field of science. Join us on this exciting journey to make a positive impact in the world through the wonders of science and education.

Isabella Lotz

Class of 2022

“OBU prepared me by teaching the subjects I would eventually demonstrate to my students. I have drawn from many of the science classes I took while at OBU, and the education classes gave me many resources to use as I grow in my career. OBU also introduced a professor to me whom I aspire to be like in the classroom. The energy and activities he brought to the classroom I try to model in my own room.”

Benefits of OBU Science Education, Secondary Program

Graduate Success

Our secondary science education graduates consistently rank in the top tier with a 100% passing rate on their certification exams. These new educators teach in public, private, or classical high schools across the state, the nation, and - in some cases - the globe. As they grow in their profession, some of our graduates pursue opportunities in business, school administration and higher education. Many secondary science education graduates continue to graduate school to get their master’s or doctorate.

Faculty Mentors

While learning through lectures and laboratory settings, you will enjoy a small environment with 100% of your instruction taught by professors, not graduate students or teaching assistants. The faculty also serve as your academic and career advisors, which allows them to be more engaged with your personal and academic success. Their roles as science professors extend even greater as they provide one-on-one mentoring helping you to reach your fullest potential as an individual and as a student.

Dynamic and Challenging Programs

The courses within the education program focus on learning the content, knowledge, and dispositions of an effective educator through hands-on and engaging instruction, alongside practical field experiences in the public school classroom. OBU’s teacher education program partners with districts all over the state, nation, and world.  

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Scholarship and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Emphasis

Our university hosts an OBU STEM Day annually showcasing the many majors on campus that incorporate STEM skills. Students and faculty provide live demonstrations and instruction in various labs and classrooms using diverse equipment for the benefit of all who attend.

As a supporter of STEM careers, OBU has entered an agreement with Project Lead the Way to begin the fall semester of 2024. Through this agreement, OBU will offer an annual $1,000 scholarship to students who have completed at least two PLTW courses during their high school years. This applies to PLTW students who enroll in any area of study at OBU.

Equipment and Labs

OBU offers you advanced and well-equipped labs. As a student, you are provided with many opportunities to use the equipment to enhance your hands-on training. Those learning settings include our cadaver lab, cell culture facilities, greenhouse and planetarium.  In addition, OBU undergraduate students (not graduate mentors or research assistants) are able to use a fluorescence microscope, real time PCR machine, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and atomic absorption spectrometer. 

Faith Integration

The OBU science program is taught from a Christian worldview. It is Christ-centered and scientifically sound, supporting truth through the integration of faith and knowledge in all classes, thereby cultivating a deep appreciation and sense of responsibility for creation. OBU science professors serve as personal role models and mentors, supporting both your intellectual and spiritual development, and instill a solid foundation of faith and biblical perspective through their instruction and personal lives.

National Accreditation

The School of Education is nationally accredited through CAEP, the Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation. In addition, each licensure area is accredited through the state of Oklahoma. Graduates from our program are eligible to teach locally, nationally, and internationally.

Field Experiences

One of the many noted strengths of becoming an educator through OBU is the amount of field experience/practicum time that is provided across the four years of the degree program. You will be asked to complete between 85 –120 hours of observation and practicum experiences in local schools prior to student teaching. Field experiences allow you to tutor children, teach small groups and whole classes and practice differentiation and classroom management.

Internship Opportunities

Field experiences culminate in a 14-week internship of student teaching during your senior year. Efforts are made to pair you with your school of preference within 50 miles of OBU.

Job Opportunities and Outcomes

Our OBU graduates in secondary science education are teaching all over the state of Oklahoma, while a few have teaching jobs outside the state. Graduates receive jobs in both public and private educational settings, and many continue on to graduate school to attain their masters and doctorate degrees.

  • Christian Heritage Academy
  • Meeker Public Schools
  • Pathways Middle College at Oklahoma City Community College

Program Options

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Chair, School of Education
Lawrence C. and Marion Harris Chair of Education
Associate Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Mary A. White Professor of Education

Annie Keehn

Annie Keehn

Assistant Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Contessa Edgar

Dr. Contessa Edgar

Chair, Division of Science
Professor of Biology

Dr. Albert Chen

Dr. Albert Chen

Professor of Physics

Dr. Bradley Jett

Dr. Bradley Jett

James E. Hurley Professor of Biology

Dr. Michael Jordan

Dr. Michael Jordan

Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Nathan Malmberg

Dr. Nathan Malmberg

Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Patrick Marsh

Dr. Patrick Marsh

Assistant Professor of Natural Science

Dr. Yvonne Mbote

Dr. Yvonne Mbote

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Dale A. Utt Jr.

Dr. Dale A. Utt Jr.

Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Tony Yates

Dr. Tony Yates

Professor of Science

Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education