95%
of our elementary and secondary teacher candidates pass rates on the Basic Skills and Pedagogy licensure exams on the first try.
Bachelor of Arts in Physics Education (9-12)
Physics Education majors pursuing a Minnesota teaching license focus on the motion, energy and force of matter. Teaching professionals with this license are prepared to work with learners in grades 9-12, engaging them as they discover the wonders of physics. By adding an endorsement in general science, program completers can also teach science in grades 5-8. Both levels of science are high-demand educational fields.
Why Study Physics Education at St. Thomas?
Graduate in four years with a bachelor’s degree and a double major in physics and education. With the major and licensure, you will:
- Gain the knowledge and skills to have a positive impact on students in the K-12 classroom
- Become part of a supportive network of fellow students, alumni and faculty that will inspire and sustain you throughout your career
- Learn from expert faculty closely connected with the K-12 classroom who are here to help you shape your path to your own classroom
- Understand the education system in Minnesota
Program Overview
Course Requirements
Courses include a range of physics topics in addition to general chemistry, calculus, curriculum and instruction for science, along with field experience.
Four-Year Plan
Our faculty are here to develop your four-year plan catered to your personal and professional goals.
Degrees Awarded
- BA in Physics
- BA in Secondary Education
Mentored Clinical Practice
We support you as you develop your teaching skills. Throughout your student teaching, you’ll have regularly scheduled seminars with faculty and peers. The mentorship you receive will ensure your student teaching experience meets your needs and facilitates your growth, both personally and professionally.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
Courses include a range of physics topics in addition to general chemistry, calculus, curriculum and instruction for science, along with field experience.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
Our faculty are here to develop your four-year plan catered to your personal and professional goals.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
- BA in Physics
- BA in Secondary Education
Mentored Clinical Practice
Mentored Clinical Practice
We support you as you develop your teaching skills. Throughout your student teaching, you’ll have regularly scheduled seminars with faculty and peers. The mentorship you receive will ensure your student teaching experience meets your needs and facilitates your growth, both personally and professionally.
A Community of Educators
Marie Lopez del Puerto, Associate Professor
The Applications of Modern Physics course taught by Lopez del Puerto is an introduction to an exciting field. Physicists work to understand why nanomaterials and semiconductors have such interesting electronic and optical properties. For example, atomic clusters emit light of different colors that depend on the number and type of atoms that make up the cluster. Another example is how semiconductors only conduct a current if the electrons they contain have an energy larger than a certain amount. We exploit properties like these to build practical devices such as diodes and lasers. Understanding these properties requires the use of quantum mechanics -and to solve most problems in quantum mechanics, we need computers to calculate numerical solutions.
Career Paths
- High School Physics Teacher
- Middle School Science Teacher
- 5-12 Science Teacher
Faculty With Real Experience
Marie Lopez del Puerto, Associate Professor
Brita Nellermoe, Adjunct Faculty
Michael Wood, Assistant Professor
Quick Facts
100%
of our graduates pass the middle school science and reading content exams the first time.
8
Tommies have been named Minnesota Teacher of the year since 2000.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.