Degrees in Secondary STEM Education

Explore STEM-ED

• Complete at least two courses in a STEM subject area. Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• Complete STEM-ED 101 (1 credit), STEM-ED 102 (1 credit), and STEM-ED 210 (3 credits, FS)
• Choose a STEM Education Degree and find a Faculty Advocate.

Apply to IDoTeach

• Apply Online for IDoTeach by the 1st Friday in February or the 3rd Friday in September.
• Complete a teaching interview.

Mid-Program

• Pass your subject-area Praxis II exam(s).
• Complete STEM-ED 220, STEM-ED 310, and STEM-ED 350 (non-math only)
• Maintain a 3.0 degree-box GPA. Explore opportunities and resources.

Apply for Professional Year

• Apply Online for the Professional Year by the 1st Friday in February or the 3rd Friday in September.
• If approved, complete STEM-ED 410 and STEM-ED 480.
• Pursue job opportunities.

Download Advising Roadmap (PDF)

For more information about STEM degrees with a Secondary Education emphasis, including 4 year degree plans, please use the Degree Options feature in Boise State’s Major Finder:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Engineering (Engineering PLUS, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering)
• Geosciences
• Mathematics
• Physics

If you have any questions or would like to build a custom degree plan, please don’t hesitate to reach out to an IDoTeach Faculty Advocate.

Get Help 

Click here to view the Idaho State Department of Education Assignment Credential Manual to see what you can teach with your endorsement!

Application Deadlines

FALL – Applications due first Friday in February
SPRING – Applications due third Friday in September

Initial Application Requirements

To be initially admitted into the IDoTeach program, you must complete the following:

1. Application Form in Taskstream – Create a Taskstream account, then email idoteach@boisestate.edu for the Self-Enrollment Code.
2. Letter of Application – Addressed to the IDoTeach Program Admissions Committee, your letter should explain why you’re ready and committed to becoming a teacher by responding to a list of questions, which are posted in Taskstream.
3. Resume – For assistance, consult the career center.
4. Criminal Background Check – Fingerprint cards, (3) required forms, and further printed instructions are available in the the College of Education (Education building, E722). Office hours can be found here. Please return these forms to this same location.
5. Unofficial Transcripts – Minimum degree-box grade point average of 3.00 is required. Transcript must indicate (1) at least 6 credits of required STEM coursework (courses required by degree plan with prefix BIOL, CE, CHEM, CS, ECE, ENGR, GEOG, GEOS, MATH, ME, MSE, PHYS) and (2) STEM-ED 101, STEM-ED 102, and STEM-ED 210, each with a letter grade of B- or better.
6. Responses to Case Study Questions – This task is completed within Taskstream.
7. Mindset and Self-Efficacy Surveys – This task is completed within Taskstream.
8. Entrance Interview – Applicants must qualify for an interview and will be contacted about this following the application deadline.

Once admitted to IDoTeach, you will work toward your STEM degree while completing the Secondary Education Emphasis courses listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. You must maintain a 3.0 degree-box GPA.  It’s a good idea to check-in at least once per semester with your IDoTeach Faculty Advocate and your regular Faculty Adviser. Be sure to check available opportunities and resources.

Mid-Program STEM-Ed Courses

• STEM-ED 220: Perspectives on Science and Mathematics (3 credits)
• STEM-ED 310: Classroom Interactions (3 credits)
• STEM-ED 350: Research Methods (3 credits, non-math only)

Praxis II Exam

Prior to being admitted into the Professional Year, you’ll need to register and take the Praxis II exam in your subject area(s) and earn a score that meets or exceeds minimum scores required by the Idaho State Department of Education.

Praxis Exams by Content Area

Praxis II exams are challenging, and registration times are limited, so plan ahead.

Praxis II Requirements    Schedule the Praxis II

Application Deadlines

FALL – Applications due first Friday in February
SPRING – Applications due third Friday in September

Professional Year Application Requirements

To be admitted into your Professional Year of the IDoTeach program, you must complete the following:

1. Access your Taskstream Account – Login to the same account as your Initial Application.
2. Meet Praxis II Requirements –  See the Praxis Information by Content Area, Praxis II Requirements and Praxis II Scheduling for more information. Elect for your official scores to be submitted to Boise State University. In addition, upload your unofficial results to Taskstream as a PDF.
3. Criminal Background Check – If you have already done this and it is still valid, you do not need to complete another. Please check with IDoTeach staff regarding the expiration date of your Criminal History Check if you are unsure.
4. Unofficial Transcripts – Meet the minimum degree-box grade point average of 3.00.
5. Mindset and Self-Efficacy Surveys – Complete within Taskstream.
6. Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment passing score – IDoTeach students should have taken the ICLA at the end of STEM-ED 310. Anyone who has taken the course in Fall 2021 or later needs to have a passing score of 70 to be admitted. Please upload your scores in Taskstream.
7. Professional Year Placement Preferences – Please complete this form regarding your professional year placement preferences.

Professional Year Teaching Courses

If approved for the Professional Year, plan to complete PBI and AT in consecutive semesters:

• STEM-ED 410: Project-Based Instruction (3 credits)
• STEM-ED 480: Apprentice Teaching (6-12 credits)