School of Education

The School of Education (SOE) is designed to meet the regulations and requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

The SOE is the designated unit responsible for all MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) educator licensure programs. These programs are designed to ensure students develop the competencies essential for teaching and include degree requirements in colleges other than the SOE.

Initial licensure through the SOE  can be earned in four teaching levels: (a) elementary education grades P-6, (b) elementary education unified grades K-6 in special education and elementary education, (c) middle or secondary programs grades 5-8 or 6-12, and (d) music and physical education grades PreK-12.

Middle and secondary education programs include:

• Biology Education

• English Language Arts Education

• History, Government, and Social Studies Education

• Mathematics Education

• Middle Level Mathematics Education

• Speech/Theater Education

PreK-12 education programs include:

• Music Education

• Physical Education

MNU will recommend for licensure those individuals seeking a school specialist license.

• School Counseling

Professional licensure requirements vary from state to state. Therefore, students planning to teach in other states are advised to consult the appropriate State Department of Education to determine licensure requirements.

Faculty

Jill E. Gonzalez-Bravo, Ed.D., Associate Dean of School of Education

Brenda K. Harris, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education

Kimberly D. Humerickhouse, Ph.D., Professor of Education

Ruth A. Waggoner, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education

Programs

Undergraduate Majors

Biology Education

Elementary Education

Elementary Education Unified+, B.S.

Studies in Education, B.S.

Graduate Certificates

Elementary Education Unified Certificate

Transition to Teaching Certificate

Graduate Majors

Elementary Education Unified+, M.S.

Secondary Education, Transition to Teaching (Restricted Licensure), M.Ed.

Studies in Education, M.S.

Undergraduate Program Outcomes for Catalog

Biology Education, BA

Location(s): On Campus

The Biology Education program embraces a broad base of biology and prepares the student to teach in the school setting. This major requires completion of the professional education courses included in the secondary education section of the Teacher Education program. Secondary education program requirements can be found in the Teacher Education Handbook. 

Biology Education Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete student teaching with a B- or higher.

Elementary Education, BA

Location(s): On Campus

The Elementary Education program is an on-campus program designed to prepare students to teach all subjects to children from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Students have a broad background in English, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and the sciences, coupled with teaching methods classes. Multiple classes include clinical fieldwork in elementary schools to practice and refine teaching skills.

Elementary Education Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete student teaching with a B- or higher.

Elementary Education Unified+, B.S. 

Location(s): Online

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Unified (BSEEU) program is an online program designed for adult students with previous college experience. The student who comes to MNU with an associate of arts or associate of science degree or appropriate general education courses will complete their elementary education degree in 20-24 months. The program consists of eight-week courses with individualized field-based experiences. During the final semester of this program, students will be enrolled in a capstone or student teaching experience.

Elementary Education Unified Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete student teaching with a B- or higher.

Studies in Education, B.A.

Location(s): On Campus, Online

Candidates who successfully complete all initial licensure coursework but do not seek licensure or do not complete student teaching expectations may earn a Bachelor of Science in Studies in Education degree. A nine to twelve-credit hour course, EDUC 4688 - Options In Modern Education, is required for this degree completion. Candidates may need additional courses to meet the 120-credit hour graduation requirement.

Studies in Education Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete the Options in Modern Education with a B- or higher.

Certificate Program Outcomes for Catalog

Elementary Education Unified Certificate

Location(s): Online

This certificate program is designed for teachers with a master’s level degree seeking to add the elementary education unified certificate to their teaching license. Candidates will complete 38 credit hours of coursework, complete student teaching, complete the teacher work sample, and pass the appropriate Praxis Exams for elementary education and special education.

Elementary Education Unified Certificate Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete student teaching with a B- or higher.

Transition to Teaching Certificate

Location(s): Online

The Transition to Teaching program is for candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in a specific content knowledge area and seek to become a teacher at the secondary level (6-12). Students complete courses in pedagogy, classroom management, and assessment while teaching full-time. Students in this program hold a restricted license with the Kansas State Department of Education.

Transition to Teaching Certificate Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Graduate Program Outcomes for Catalog

Elementary Education Unified+, M.S.

Location(s): Online

The Master of Science in Elementary Education Unified (MSEEU) program is an online program designed for adult students with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The student who comes to MNU with an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution will complete their elementary education/special education degree in 18 months. The first year and a half of the program consists of eight-week courses with individualized field-based experiences. During the final semester of this program, students will be enrolled in a capstone or student teaching experience.

Elementary Education Unified+ Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete student teaching with a B- or higher.

Secondary Education, Transition to Teaching, M.S.

Location(s): Online

The Master of Education in Secondary Education program is for candidates who have a degree in a specific content knowledge area and seek to become a teacher at the secondary level (6-12). Processes, requirements, policies, and course of study mirror the Transition to Teaching program but include Master of Education core courses. Students in this program hold a restricted license with the Kansas State Department of Education.

Secondary Education, Transition to Teaching Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Studies in Education, M.S.

Location(s): Online

Candidates who successfully complete all MSEEU degree coursework but do not seek licensure or do not complete the student teaching expectations may earn a Master of Science in Studies in Education degree. A three-credit hour course, EDUC 6003 - Options in Education, is required for this degree completion. 

Studies in Education Outcomes

Education Mission is to prepare pioneering educational leaders committed to: 

1. Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: To ensure each student learns new knowledge and skills, leaders must understand that learning and developmental patterns vary among individuals, that learners bring unique individual differences to the learning process, and that learners need supportive and safe learning environments to thrive.  

2. Conceptual Knowledge and Content Application: Leaders must have a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and be able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings, and address meaningful issues to ensure learner mastery of content.  

3. Innovative Professional Practices: Developing an innovative professional practice requires leaders to integrate assessment and incorporate innovative strategies in intentional, coordinated, and engaging ways.  

4. Professional Integrity, Personal Responsibility, and Leadership: A leader’s primary responsibility is to create supportive, safe, and productive learning environments that result in learners achieving at the highest levels.  To accomplish this well, leaders must engage in meaningful and intensive professional learning, self-reflection, and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, and community members.  

5. Faith, Service and Calling: Being grounded in Christian faith and recognizing God’s call on their lives, leaders pursue the ministry of teaching while serving the least, the last, and the lost.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete the Options in Modern Education with a B- or higher.

Programs

• Biology Education (6-12), BA
• Elementary Education Unified+, BS
• Elementary Education, (PreK - 6 Licensure), BS
• Studies in Education (Non-Licensure), BS

• Elementary Education Unified+, Licensure Certificate
• Transition to Teaching, Restricted Licensure Certificate Program

• Elementary Education Unified, MS
• Instructional Specialist, M.Ed.
• Secondary Education, Transition to Teaching (Restricted Licensure Program), MEd
• Studies in Education (Non-Licensure), MS

• Added Areas of Licensure Endorsement
• Secondary Education, (6-12, P-12 Licensure)