The NSTA Institute provides a list of professional development providers that offer their varied online professional development opportunities on a continuing basis. These institutions offer short courses as well as degree granting programs to assist the K–12 science teacher.
Professional Development Provider Online Courses
American Museum of Natural History Seminars on Science
These six-week courses developed by Museum scientists and educators incorporate the Museum's rich resources including three-dimensional virtual specimens, videos from the field, and interactive simulations. Teachers participate in discussions and activities with the Museum's scientists and educators. Continuing education units and graduate credits are available. For more information go to learn.amnh.org.
The Teachers in Geosciences program at Mississippi State University provides you with a unique opportunity to earn a Master of Science degree through distance learning. All of the core courses are taught online. The program concludes with an 8 to 10 day capstone field course that is taught during the summer at a variety of locations including Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, Western Washington State, the Sierra, Central Arizona, Upstate NY, Western Lake Superior, the Outer Banks, the Bahamas, and the Great Plains Storm Chase.
Our 12-course, 36-credit hour graduate program is designed to take as little as two years to complete and includes courses in meteorology, geology, planetary science, oceanography, hydrology, and environmental geoscience. Over 300 students from all 50 states and around the world are enrolled. All students qualify for in-state tuition rates.
Please visit our website contact Joy Bailey, jbailey@aoce.msstate.edu, for additional information.
Montana State University–Bozeman
Montana State University's National Teachers Enhancement Network (NTEN) has over 10 years experience delivering high quality Internet learning opportunities directly to K–12 science teachers. Educators can access electronic teacher resources, discuss issues with other educators online, and participate in high-quality graduate courses all from convenient home or work locations via the internet. An average of 15 online graduate level science and science education courses are available each semester. NTEN courses are designed to help teachers improve and enhance their understanding of science content. Courses can be taken for professional development or as part of a graduate degree program. MSU's Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) degree is an intercollege, interdisciplinary graduate program that integrates learning and the discovery of knowledge in a collaborative academic environment. Over 80% of MSSE degree course work is available online. For more information on courses go to: www.scienceteacher.org or for the graduate program go to: www.montana.edu/msse/
University of Maryland Master of Chemical and Life Sciences offers online courses in biology and chemistry especially designed for science teachers. The web-based program allows you to earn your graduate degree when and where it is most convenient for you.