STEM degrees at La Sierra are rigorous and well-prepare students for graduate degrees or professional schools. However, not all students are interested in that trajectory, and not all students enter La Sierra with that path easily accessible to them.  Students who want to teach STEM at the secondary level have the added academic load of credential courses through the School of Education as required by the State of California.  Most of the time, completion of a STEM degree plus the credential courses is not possible within four years, even for students who enter La Sierra adequately prepared to start college-level math (approximately 20% of incoming students).  Completing the student teaching portion of the credential, which is currently required for La Sierra students seeking a secondary teaching credential, takes additional time, as well. 

How Many Pathways Are There?

There are currently two different STEM Education Pathways with more under development; Chemistry & Physics.