Graduate programs in chemical education will require sufficient coursework in chemistry or related subjects, such as chemical engineering. Obtaining a master's will typically require at least an undergraduate degree in chemistry and a minimum number of courses in your subject area. It may be possible to gain entrance with a degree in a related topic, such as education; however, you may need to complete a minimum number of chemistry courses to gain acceptance.
Some master's programs may require previous teaching experience to gain entrance to their programs. For some programs, teachers may require a minimum number of hours in a classroom before applying for a graduate degree; however, other programs there may have no such requirement. Since teacher certification in each state is different, you may want to check the state in which you plan on earning your master's degree.
Certain programs may require an admissions essay or interview to determine if you are a suitable candidate for their program. This essay or interview may require you to outline your teaching philosophy, discuss a sample lesson or describe how you would handle a contentious situation in a classroom environment, all while emphasizing your suitability as a teacher and your competence in the subject of chemistry.
The master's program you are applying to may require you to submit recommendation letters so they can assess your suitability as a master's degree candidate. Letters of recommendation should come from professionals who can accurately and honestly assess your competence as a potential teacher and as a chemist. Potential referees can include principals, professors or teachers you have worked with.