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Physics teacher education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a physics teacher. Physics teachers usually study physics, education, or biology. 71% of physics teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,484 real physics teacher resumes to see exactly what physics teacher education sections show.
The most common colleges for physics teachers are the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
There are also many online physics teacher courses to help get the education required to be a physics teacher.
There are certain physics teacher certifications that you should consider. These physics teacher certifications include Certified Secondary Culinary Educator (CSCE) and Physical Security Certification (PSC).
What education do you need to become a physics teacher?
What degree do you need to be a physics teacher?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 19%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a physics teacher?
Most common colleges for physics teachers
| Physics teacher common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 7.58% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 7.58% |
| Wayne State University | 6.06% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.06% |
| University of California - Davis | 6.06% |
Best majors for physics teachers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physics | 34.5% |
| 2 | Education | 7.3% |
| 3 | Biology | 6.9% |
| 4 | Chemistry | 5.9% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | 5.7% |
Best colleges for physics teachers
The best colleges for physics teachers are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A physics teacher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for physics teachers. 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 physics teachers.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
8. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
10. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
20 best online courses for physics teachers
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1. Exploring Quantum Physics
An introduction to quantum physics with emphasis on topics at the frontiers of research, and developing understanding through exercise...
2. Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations
This fourth course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This fourth course covers AC circuits, Impedance, and Magnetism. Each of the two modules contains reading...
3. Physics - Kinematics for High School and AP Physics 1
This is a comprehensive Algebra based Mechanics course in physics specifically covering topics of Kinematics...
4. Quantum Physics: an overview of a weird world (Basics)
A primer on the conceptual foundations of Quantum Physics...
5. Physics 101 - Rotational Motion and Gravitation
This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of rotational motion and gravitation. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects around us. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Rotational motion, Angular Momentum, and Gravitation. Each of the three modules contains...
6. Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics
This course will begin by discussing superconductivity - a central example of a macroscopic phenomenon. It will then proceed to discuss various modern topics in quantum condensed matter physics, including fractionalization, anyon statistics, topology, and non-equilibrium phases. The course aims to provide learners with an appreciation for some modern topics in condensed matter physics...
7. Game Physics - Introducing Gravitation & Rotation in Unity
Step-by-step tutorial on how to create a basic rigid body motion physics from scratch. Taught in C# using Unity 3D free...
8. Classical Physics: Journey Through the Laws of the Universe
Peer beneath the surface of reality, understand how the universe works, and develop physics apps that make a difference!...
9. Physics 102 - Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law
This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law of Induction. Each of the three modules contains...
10. Understanding Modern Physics III: Simplicity and Complexity
The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the third course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to action principle, fundamental particle physics, entropy & information and complexity. This course offers a broad view between simplicity...
11. The Complete AP and College Physics Course
Master the College/AP physics from classical to modern physics, then test your knowledge with 300+ practice exercises!...
12. QC151 Quantum Physics for QC - Content moved to QC101
This course has become part of QC101. Buy this course if you want only the physics lessons without the rest of QC101...
13. Preparing for the AP Physics 1 Exam
This course is designed for high school students preparing to take the AP* Physics 1 Exam. * AP Physics 1 is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product...
14. Understanding Modern Physics II: Quantum Mechanics and Atoms
Course Overview: https://youtu.be/xyF-MmGNxd0 The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the second course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic physics and quantum information. We will find (i) How the quantum...
15. Intro to Unity 3D Physics: Helicopters
Learn how to create Helicopter physics for Games with Unity 3D and C#!...
16. Intro to Airplane Physics in Unity 3D - 2017 & 2018
Learn how to build your very own Custom Airplane Physics with Unity & C#...
17. Physics of silicon solar cells
The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on...
18. The Complete Physics Course - Learn Science the easy way!
A course that's made for you to easily learn Physics! ....even for those that don't like Math & Science :)...
19. Computational Physics: Scientific Programming with Python
From numerical methods to exciting applications: Differential equations, eigenvalue problems, Monte Carlo methods & more...
20. Quantum Physics from Beginner to Expert (Quantum mechanics)
From the very fundamentals to advanced topics like quantum computing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for physics teachers
The most affordable schools for physics teachers are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for physics teachers 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 physics teachers.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
6. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
9. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
10. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for physics teachers
The hardest universities for physics teachers to get into are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for physics teachers 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 physics teachers 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
Admissions rate
18%
SAT average
1,502
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for physics teachers
The easiest schools for physics teachers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and san francisco state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a physics teacher 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 physics teachers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
4. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
7. California University of Pennsylvania
California, PA • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,007
8. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
9. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,019
10. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
Average physics teacher salary by education level
| Physics teacher education level | Physics teacher salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $63,631 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,396 |
| Doctorate Degree | $64,489 |
Physics teacher education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025