The STEM Certificate: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics provides a comprehensive education to become highly qualified mathematics, science and engineering teachers at the elementary and middle school levels. The 12 graduate credits include face-to-face and online courses, offering a flexible and convenient learning experience.
Modality
STEM Certificate Program Overview
STEM skills are in high demand, and so is the need for qualified educators who can teach these skills to young learners. The STEM program is designed for early childhood, elementary, special education and middle school teachers who want to grow their professional skills as math, science and engineering educators.
STEM curriculum takes an interdisciplinary and applied approach to educating students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Combining relevant academic training and hands-on learning, STEM programs help students understand and apply math and science content while developing critical thinking, problem-solving and collaborative skills that can be applied to all careers. While STEM skills are in high demand, there is a shortage of proficient students and teachers in these crucial fields, driving a critical need for STEM educators in the United States.
This Boston-based post-baccalaureate certificate program offers convenient day, evening and weekend class options with both remote and online classes.
STEM Certificate Program Highlights
Gain the specialized training to prepare tomorrow’s science and technology leaders. In the STEM Certificate program at Cambridge College, you will:
- Gain significant mastery of science content to prepare your students for the Massachusetts grade 5 and 8 MCAS exams and future science and technology challenges
- Integrate earth, life and physical science concepts to solve engineering problems
- Apply design process steps to solve engineering and science problems
- Recognize and use connections, relationships and patterns among mathematical ideas — and use representations to model and interpret physical and technical phenomena
- Gain the mathematical skills in order to become a highly qualified teacher of elementary and middle school mathematics
Advantages of Cambridge College's STEM Certificate Program
This certificate program offers an affordable, flexible option to advance your knowledge of STEM content and create new opportunities in your teaching career.
- Career advancement: After completing the STEM certificate program, you may wish to add a Massachusetts state certification in Mathematics (1-6), Mathematics (5-8), General Science (5-8), or Mathematics/Science (combo 5-8) by taking and passing the appropriate Massachusetts MTEL exam.
- Applied learning: As part of the Teaching Project-Based Science coursework, you’ll develop a unit of instruction for use with your own classes and to share with your colleagues online.
- Experienced faculty: Learn from top science and mathematics professors who are dedicated, accessible teachers here to help you succeed.
- Flexible, hybrid program: Pursue your STEM Certificate through a combination of remote and online classes. Designed for working adults, online classes can be taken whenever they fit your schedule each week and remote classes are held on evenings and weekends.
STEM Certificate Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Course List
The STEM Certificate: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program at Cambridge College includes courses such as:
- Teaching Science, Engineering and Technology
- Teaching Project-Based Science
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
All students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or be placed on academic probation.
STEM Education Careers and Salaries
When deciding your path as an educator, focusing on STEM can be a prosperous and secure choice. According to the74million.org, America has a STEM teacher shortage.1 The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics reports that STEM workers with a bachelor's degree or above have a higher median salary than non-STEM workers with a bachelor's degree.2
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers was $61,6203 and middle school teachers was $61,810.4
As one of the top five paying states for teachers, Massachusetts has higher salary averages.
- Elementary school teachers: $82,6905
- Middle school teachers: $85,4606
$61,620
Median annual wage for elementary school teachers in the U.S., May 20223
$82,690
Median annual wage for elementary school teachers in the Massachusetts, May 20225
1 The 74 Media, Inc, America Is Facing a Shortage of STEM Teachers at https://www.the74million.org/article/a-solution-to-americas-k-12-stem-teacher-shortage-endowed-chairs (visited November 25, 2023).
2 National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, The STEM Labor Force of Today at https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20212/figure/LBR-12 (visited November 25, 2023).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm (visited November 25, 2023).
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Middle School Teachers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm (visited November 25, 2023).
5 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm#st (visited November 25, 2023).
6 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252022.htm#st (visited November 25, 2023).
STEM Jobs
The Cambridge College STEM Certificate program prepares educators to work with elementary and middle school students on science, technology, engineering and math subjects.
Faculty Spotlight
John N. Papadonis
MEd, CAGS
Program Chair: Science and Digital Literacy
John Papadonis is a distinguished figure in science education, currently serving as the Program Chair of Science and Digital Literacy Programs at Cambridge College. With a wealth of experience and expertise, he has been instrumental in shaping the General Science Program at Cambridge College into one of the premier science education programs in Massachusetts. Notably, under his leadership, approximately 20% of all Massachusetts K-8 licensed science teachers receive certification through the...