In an effort to address the shortage of Indiana high school teachers in certain subjects, the College of Arts and Sciences, in conjunction with the IU School of Education, offers an accelerated five-year program in which students can obtain a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Secondary Education and also complete all requirements for state licensure in Secondary Education.

Under this program, students complete all of the course work required for the B.S. in Biology major by their eighth semester at IU. Beginning in their eighth semester and then continuing in the summer after their fourth year and in a fifth year of study, students complete all of the requirements for the M.S. in Secondary Education with licensure. Students must apply and earn admittance to the School of Education's Secondary Transition to Teaching and the Master of Science in Education programs during the fall semester of their senior year.

The requirements for the B.S. in Biology must be completed before student teaching begins in the final spring semester of the five-year program.

Students considering this degree should seek advising from both the Department of Biology and the School of Education. Also, students are advised to check with the Office of Financial Aid (through Student Central on Union) on the effect that the transition to graduate status may have on existing undergraduate funding.

Learn more about the Biology B.S./Secondary Education M.S. in our Student Portal