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With a major in earth/space science teaching from Ball State, you will play the crucial role of introducing middle- and high-school students to the natural world. In addition to practical in-classroom teaching experiences, our program includes a challenging mix of coursework in teaching and the hard sciences. You’ll graduate as a highly trained education professional prepared to excel in both public- and private-school settings.

Program Benefits

You’ll learn from well-educated, noted scholars in our field.

They have experience in all areas of the U.S., with detailed knowledge in Indiana and the Midwest, the Appalachian Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, and California, as well as international experience in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Peru, Brazil, New Zealand, China, Korea, Japan, and Antarctica.

They have experience in the major subfields of geology including:

  • minerals
  • igneous and metamorphic rocks
  • sedimentary rocks
  • fossils
  • petroleum geology
  • environmental geology
  • earthquakes and volcanoes
  • landform geomorphology
  • river processes
  • groundwater hydrology
  • environmental site assessment
  • geophysics
  • geochemistry
  • water quality
  • earth/space science teaching

In partnership with our Teachers College, we will prepare you for a successful career as a licensed educator.

You will complete your content courses through our department, giving you the expertise to excel in the field of geology. Your Teachers College courses, meanwhile, will provide you with the theory and training you'll need for classroom instruction.

Almost all geology courses (except for the introductory course) average only about 15 students.

This means you will get to work directly with and learn from our highly regarded faculty.

Our facilities provide an excellent learning environment:

  • spacious work areas
  • faculty and student research laboratories
  • up-to-date equipment
  • dedicated computer lab
  • exhibit areas
  • full electronic classroom facilities

Major Requirements

Your course of study will include 39 credits in educational methods plus 51 credits in teaching-specific coursework.

Total Credits

90

Courses

A few of the classes you will take include:

  • Environmental Geology and Geochemistry Cycles
  • Elementary Meteorology
  • The Sun and Stars
  • Intro to the Teaching of Science
  • Educational Psychology

For a complete list of all the classes you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.

View Catalog

Paying for Your Education

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Tuition and Fees

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Financial Aid

scholarship iconDepartment Scholarships

On top of the dozens of scholarships the university offers its students, our department gives awards every year to its own students to recognize them for their achievements. Learn more.

Ready to Apply?

Are you interested in this major? The first step is to apply as an undergraduate student to Ball State University. Begin the journey today.

Get Started

Questions?

One of the best ways to understand why Ball State stands out is to come see it for yourself. You can schedule a visit through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Make sure to tell them you’re interested in our program. Or if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.

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