Physics Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips students with the advanced knowledge and pedagogical skills needed to teach physics effectively across secondary and post-secondary educational settings. It integrates rigorous scientific training with evidence-based teaching methodologies to foster deep conceptual understanding and inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.
- Classical Mechanics: Explores motion, forces, energy, and momentum through Newtonian principles, providing a foundation for analyzing physical systems in real-world contexts.
- Electromagnetism: Investigates electric and magnetic fields, charge interactions, and electromagnetic waves, with applications ranging from circuit design to modern communication technologies.
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics: Examines heat transfer, energy conservation, entropy, and the behavior of systems at macroscopic and microscopic scales.
- Quantum Mechanics: Introduces the principles governing atomic and subatomic phenomena, including wave-particle duality, uncertainty, and quantum states.
- Modern Physics: Covers relativistic effects, nuclear processes, particle physics, and cosmological concepts that extend beyond classical frameworks.
- Educational Psychology and Instructional Design: Focuses on learning theories, cognitive development, assessment strategies, and curriculum development tailored to diverse learners in science classrooms.
Physics Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Physics Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Physics Teacher Education degrees, including Physics Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,145,220 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1054 | $97,360 | $54,880 - $169,740 | 13,590 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
Physics Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,870 in Hawaii to $104,153 in California—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,145,220 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Physics Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 41 institutions offering Physics Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Physics Teacher Education is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (44 graduates), Indiana Wesleyan University, National & Global (13 graduates), Northern Arizona University (NAU) (5 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU) (4 graduates), and Martin Luther College (MLC) (3 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 114 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Martin Luther College (MLC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New Ulm, Minnesota | Private | mlc-wels.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
|
2 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
|
2 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| DePaul University |
Master's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
|
1 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Gordon College |
Master's
|
1 | Wenham, Massachusetts | Private | gordon.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Master's
|
1 | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Master's
|
1 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
|
1 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
1 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Mercy University |
Master's
|
1 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
1 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Geneseo, New York | Public | geneseo.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Elizabethtown College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania | Private | etown.edu |
| Geneva College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania | Private | geneva.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Liberty University |
Other Award
|
1 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Physics Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Physics Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Physics Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Physics Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $97,360 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $104,153 compared to $55,870 in Hawaii. Approximately 1,145,220 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Physics Teacher Education programs?
Currently 41 accredited institutions offer Physics Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (44 graduates), Indiana Wesleyan University, National & Global (13 graduates), and Northern Arizona University (NAU) (5 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Physics Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 77 in 2010 to a peak of 125 in 2020, before declining slightly to 114 in 2023-24. This represents a 48% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Physics Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Physics Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,145,220 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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