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
The AMNH Seminars on Science, 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.
Mississippi State University
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) offers online science courses designed to help K–12 teachers and other educators improve and enhance their understanding of science content. Since 1993, NTEN has offered about 15 online graduate courses each semester in topics ranging from physics to plant science to nutrition, and more. NTEN also offers lesson plans and other teacher resources. Courses can be taken for professional development or as part of MSU's Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) graduate degree program: 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 eu.montana.edu/nten/, or for the graduate program go to www.montana.edu/msse/.
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland's Master of Chemical and Life Sciences degree enhances your knowledge, increases your expertise, and advances your career. Designed specifically for middle and high school science teachers, the 30-credit, content-based program offers in-depth knowledge of current research areas in the biological, biochemical, and biomedical sciences. Aside from the program's laboratory experiences, courses are offered exclusively online, benefitting working professionals with the flexibility, convenience, and accessibility that online learning affords. Dynamic faculty with academic credentials and professional experience deliver a better understanding of major science concepts and theories in an interactive environment. Find out more! Visit our website.
Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Society's Professional Development Department, headquartered at the Bronx Zoo, invite K–12 educators to take a walk on the wild side. Whether you teach in a school or nontraditional setting, science, math, language arts, or anything in between, our Online Teacher Training Courses offer something for everyone!
Our courses are a convenient way to enhance your understanding of the living world and revitalize your love of nature and science. Six-week courses provide a unique opportunity to examine the life sciences of zoology, ecology and conservation, through topics such as predators, marine biology, habitat ecology and climate connections. Learn from virtual and interactive simulations, videos, presentations from WCS scientists and educators, and interaction with teachers from around the world. Get the most up-to-date news from our field experts and explore best practices in science education. Participants will receive electronic curriculum and resources, made ready for use in your classroom. Graduate credits are available. For more information, please visit the WCS website or call +1-718-220-5136.