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Chemistry instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a chemistry instructor. Chemistry instructors usually study chemistry, biology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 63% of chemistry instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,000 real chemistry instructor resumes to see exactly what chemistry instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for chemistry instructors are the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
There are also many online chemistry instructor courses to help get the education required to be a chemistry instructor.
There are certain chemistry instructor certifications that you should consider. These chemistry instructor certifications include Specialist in Chemistry (SC(ASCP)) and Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE).
What education do you need to become a chemistry instructor?
What degree do you need to be a chemistry instructor?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Master's, 21%
- Doctorate, 12%
- Associate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a chemistry instructor?
Most common colleges for chemistry instructors
| Chemistry instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 7.44% |
| Florida State University | 6.61% |
| Texas A&M University | 6.61% |
| University of California - Davis | 6.61% |
| University of Iowa | 4.96% |
Best majors for chemistry instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 54.6% |
| 2 | Biology | 14.5% |
| 3 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 5.0% |
| 4 | Chemical Engineering | 4.6% |
| 5 | General Education, Specific Areas | 2.6% |
Best colleges for chemistry instructors
The best colleges for chemistry instructors are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A chemistry instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for chemistry instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become chemistry instructors.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
10. University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,167
Enrollment
30,279
20 best online courses for chemistry instructors
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1. Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions
This is an introductory course for students with limited background in chemistry; basic concepts such as atomic and molecular structure, solutions, phases of matter, and quantitative problem solving will be emphasized with the goal of preparing students for further study in chemistry...
2. Chemical Biology
Chemical biology is a burgeoning field that has rapidly risen to prominence. This surge of interest has been fuelled by chemical biology’s applicability to understanding critical processes in live cells or model organisms in real time. This success has arisen because chemical biology straddles a nexus between chemistry, biology, and physics. Thus, chemical biology can harness rapid chemistry to observe or perturb biological processes, that are in turn reported using physical assays, all in an...
3. Chemistry 101 - Part 1 Principles of Chemistry
An introductory course for anybody who wants to study chemistry - either towards future pathways or just for fun!...
4. Complete General Chemistry 20+ hours of lectures & examples
Master General Chemistry in 4 weeks by solving examples & problems! Rahsoft Chemical Engineering Department RAHCH101...
5. Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics
This introductory physical chemistry course examines the connections between molecular properties and the behavior of macroscopic chemical systems...
6. Quantum Mechanics
Course 2 of Statistical Thermodynamics presents an introduction to quantum mechanics at a level appropriate for those with mechanical or aerospace engineering backgrounds. Using a postulatory approach that describes the steps to follow, the Schrodinger wave equation is derived and simple solutions obtained that illustrate atomic and molecular structural behavior. More realistic behavior is also explored along with modern quantum chemistry numerical solution methods for solving the wave equation...
7. Introduction to Cheminformatics and medicinal chemistry
Understand the underlying chemistry of drug development and use free softwares to analyze molecules...
8. Dr. K's Complete First Semester General Chemistry I Course
A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry...
9. Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2
Learn about novel sensing tools that make use of nanotechnology to screen, detect and monitor various events in personal or professional life. Together, we will lay the groundwork for infinite innovative applications, starting from diagnosis and treatments of diseases, continuing with quality control of goods and environmental aspects, and ending with monitoring security issues. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Nanotechnology and nanosensors are broad, interdisciplinary areas that...
10. Biology Everywhere Foundations
In this course, we will explore the nature of science and biology. We will discuss what the “biology everywhere” philosophy means and the history of the “biology everywhere” project. We will also discuss what science (and biology) are as a discipline of inquiry and how chemistry is foundational to understanding biology...
11. Organic Chemistry: Spectroscopy Master Class
Gain confidence in NMR (1H and 13C), IR, and MS with guided practice problems...
12. Fundamentals of Plastics and Polymers
Polymer chemistry, properties, processing, testing and applications...
13. Materials in Oral Health
The drive for development of new and novel oral biomaterials has never been more important with many people using oral biomaterials today and seeing their benefits in restoring and improving their oral health for a more enjoyable lifestyle. The unique properties of biomaterials such as titanium (Ti), zirconia (ZrO2) and various polymeric materials have made them materials of choice in oral health: dental implants, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and even regenerative medicine. Oral biomaterials...
14. The Science of the Solar System
Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be...
15. Introductory Biology
Life around us is simply amazing. I'll show you why...
16. Control Your Brain Chemistry - Become Confident and Creative
Increase your levels of dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and GABA...
17. Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change
This class describes the science of global warming and the forecast for humans’ impact on Earth’s climate. Intended for an audience without much scientific background but a healthy sense of curiosity, the class brings together insights and perspectives from physics, chemistry, biology, earth and atmospheric sciences, and even some economics—all based on a foundation of simple mathematics (algebra)...
18. Battery Technologies
This Specialization is about building an in-depth understanding of Batteries in Electric Vehicles Scenarios. The courses comprise topics such as Batteries and their types, applications, architecture, Cell Chemistries, Battery Charging its Modes & Standards, Battery Management Systems, Cell Balancing, Wire Harness, and Battery Connectors...
19. Electric Vehicle Battery Management System - Course
Battery management system battery design & modelling Electric vehicle Lithium ion battery management Simulation...
20. Display Simple Data with Pie Chart and Tabbed Pane in JavaFX
In this project, the learner will create a GUI that contains a tabbed pane with two tabs. The first tab will provide text fields to collect data on the number of students enrolled in English major, Mathematics major, and Chemistry major. When a button is clicked, the data will be shown in a pie chart on the second tab...
Top 10 most affordable universities for chemistry instructors
The most affordable schools for chemistry instructors are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for chemistry instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for chemistry instructors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
9. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chemistry instructors
The hardest universities for chemistry instructors to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for chemistry instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for chemistry instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chemistry instructors
The easiest schools for chemistry instructors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, barry university, and d'youville college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a chemistry instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for chemistry instructors.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
6. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
Average chemistry instructor salary by education level
| Chemistry instructor education level | Chemistry instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $59,955 |
| Doctorate Degree | $74,887 |
Chemistry instructor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025