Achieving Professional and Personal Growth: Biology for Educators Online Grad Certificate

Nancy White embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner.

At the age of 60, White enrolled in the online Biology for Educators graduate certificate program in the summer of 2019.

As a psychology and sociology instructor at Coastal Carolina Community College, White uses a bio-psycho-social model to explain both individual and group behavior.

“My master’s degrees have prepared me for the psycho-social components of this model; however, the biology component has needed some shoring up,” says White.

In comes the online Biology for Educators graduate certificate.

For White, the program checked all of her boxes including convenience and personal growth.

“I was confident that since the program is offered through NC State, the quality was likely unmatched by other universities,” adds White. “My experience in the Biology for Educators program exceeded my expectations.

White says each and every faculty member in the program was professional, helpful and supportive — especially in the various ways they communicated and shared course materials.

“The unique qualities of each of their courses created a wonderful smorgasbord of resources that I will continue to use during the remainder of my teaching career.”

With this new knowledge and support, White is preparing to teach a biological psychology course for the first time this fall. Also, since White completed the 18-credit-hour program, she is eligible to teach Advanced Placement biology and some biology courses at the community college level.

“The courses I took while working on the certificate have helped me to improve all of the courses I currently teach, both psychology and sociology courses, especially the online sections of these courses,” White adds.

The fully online program gave White the opportunity to excel in her career with the flexibility she needed to continue living and working in eastern North Carolina. She recommends this program to anyone — even if they don’t have a strong background in biology.

“The right amount of self-motivation is key,” says White. “The trick to balancing life commitments, work, and college is to keep procrastination to a minimum. Work ahead of the due dates, so that when life throws you a curveball, you can quickly pivot and remain focused on achieving your educational goals.”

“Upon learning about this certificate program, there was no doubt in my mind that the program would help me to fulfill my goals as an educator,” says White. “Thank you, NC State, for helping me to experience and to promote lifelong learning.”

Check out the program page to learn more about the online Graduate Certificate in Biology for Educators. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.