Secondary Education, (6-12, P-12 Licensure)

The structure and general operation of the Teacher Education Program are 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 operation of the Teacher Education Program is the responsibility of the Department of Teacher Education. The policies, programs, and licensure requirements for P-12, elementary, and secondary education are reviewed by the Teacher Education Committee. The MidAmerica Nazarene University Teacher Education Program meets the requirements for licensure in the state of Kansas. Professional licensure varies from state to state. Therefore, students planning to teach in other states are advised to consult the appropriate State Department of Education to determine requirements for licensure.

The School of Education is committed to equipping our candidates for teaching in the 21st century. Our focus on developing a candidate’s innovative practice requires them to have access to a personal computer and a smart phone or tablet. Admission into the Teacher Education Program allows a student to register for upper-division coursework in education. Failure to make application or complete admission requirements in a timely manner will result in a delay in the student’s progress. Admission into the Teacher Education Program does not guarantee the student will be allowed to student teach or be recommended for licensure/endorsement.

A student may not be admitted to the School of Education and student teaching during the same semester. Summer school is not considered a semester. Criteria for admission to student teaching is outlined in the Student Teaching Handbook. Completion of Student Teaching does not guarantee recommendation for licensure.

Licensure Requirements

To be licensed, students must achieve a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Content exam. The School of Education can provide information for the Praxis exams upon request.

Provisional Licensure in a Secondary Teaching Field

Kansas regulations currently permit a person who is licensed for teaching grades K-6, 6-12, or P-12 to be recommended for licensure in additional secondary area(s) if the applicant has met the specified licensure requirements and/or achieved a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Content Exam. Contact the MNU Licensure and Assessment Coordinator for additional information.

Program Interruption Policy

If there is an interruption in a candidate’s Teacher Education Program of two semesters or more between the education coursework and student teaching, the student is required to meet with the Chair of Teacher Education and the appropriate advisor to seek approval for readmission into the program.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Art Degree for Secondary (5-8, 6-12, P-12 Licensure) Education

Students who plan to teach in the public-school system (secondary grades) are advised to major in the academic field of their choice and to take the required professional education courses. Students majoring in education must have a grade of at least “B-” in all professional education courses and a grade of at least “C” in all content courses.

The following academic programs have been approved by the Kansas State Department of Education for licensure in secondary education:

Biology Education (6-12), BA  

English Language Arts Education, BA  

Mathematics Education (6-12), BA  

Middle Level Mathematics Education (5-8), BA  

Music Education, BME  **

Physical Education, BA  

Social Studies and History / Government Education, BA  

Speech / Theatre Education, BA  

Secondary Education majors transferring to MidAmerica Nazarene University from a regionally accredited college or university must complete at least 21 semester hours at MidAmerica before being placed in Student Teaching and/or recommended for licensure. Fifteen of these hours must be from the professional education block (exclusive of student teaching) and at least six semester hours must be from the major. MidAmerica Nazarene University does not accept transfer credit for the major and Professional Education courses from non-accredited institutions. The School of Education’s licensure officer reviews all transcripts.

Persons who have not previously held a Kansas teaching license will be required to pass the appropriate Praxis content examination required by KSDE for licensure.