When his doctoral studies at SUNY Buffalo were interrupted, Derek Dunn opted to finish graduate school with a master’s degree and pursue a career as a chemist. Fourteen years later, Derek has decided to revisit his dream of teaching chemistry through Drexel’s online Post-Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate program.
“[My career] has been great but my love of teaching is still there,” he says. “Plus, the unstable nature of the pharmaceutical industry has driven home the importance of a fall back plan.”
A husband, father of three, and full-time research scientist at Cephalon, Inc., in Frazer, PA, Derek says two things fell into place that made his decision easy – a friend’s advice to look into online programs and a scholarship opportunity that would help cover the cost of his courses.
“I absolutely needed the convenience of an online program,” he says. “After the kids go to bed, instead of watching boring TV shows I’ll work toward my teaching certificate.”
Derek also says he would not have applied to the program if he hadn’t recently learned about the ACS-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship. Endowed by the Hach Scientific Foundation, the award is distributed through the American Chemistry Society to chemists interested in pursuing a master’s degree or becoming certified as a chemistry or science teacher.
The requirements for the Hach Scholarship are:
* a bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering
* work experience in a chemistry-related field
* must be accepted into an education master's program or teacher certification program
* must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
“Let’s face it - the convenience of Drexel’s online program coupled with the Hach scholarship cut down on the time and money it takes to become a chemistry teacher,” he says. “I think if more people knew about these types of opportunities, more would be inclined to go back to school.”
Find out more about the ACS-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship.
Find out more about Drexel’s online Post-Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate program.
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