Overview
The College of Education (COE) offers an early childhood (PreK-3rd grade) and elementary (2nd-6th grade) education licensure program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in Bible and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree in five years. During the undergraduate program, students may pursue a supporting minor by exploring various fields of study (e.g. Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Psychology, Youth Ministry, Teaching Bible, Applied English, etcetera) or may choose a variety of electives.
Additionally, students will earn a minor in education that will lay a foundation and provide experiences for the profession of teaching. This minor will be partially accomplished in the last undergraduate term when students will register for 14 hours of graduate classes in the Rapid Advancement for Ministry/Marketplace/Missions Placement (RAMP) semester in which competencies will be used in the M.A.T. program (see M.A.T. Program 2).
Students who complete the M.A.T. program and specific South Carolina state requirements may be recommended for initial certification in early childhood and elementary education. Graduates of the M.A.T. program are also eligible for an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) certification in elementary education with endorsements in early childhood and Bible. For those completing designated courses, an ACSI endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is available.
Purpose
The Teacher Education program focuses on equipping Christian educators to teach and lead biblically in educational settings throughout the world. This approach provides a biblical foundation for a career in teaching. Graduates of the five-year, two-degree program will think biblically about the profession of teaching as well as the nature and needs of children. They will be equipped to serve in Christian, international, public, mission, home, charter, and private schools.
Objectives
Upon competition of the five-year, two-degree program, candidates will demonstrate that they are becoming discerning educators when they demonstrate the competencies that show they are:
- Learners who know content, children, and pedagogy.
- Designers who demonstrate effective planning and preparation for instruction.
- Presenters who model effective educational methodology, communication, and technology techniques.
- Evaluators who assess, diagnose, and monitor individual needs to implement differentiated instructional opportunities.
- Managers who create and effectively manage a nurturing environment.
- Partners who collaborate with the child, family, community, and other professionals.
- Professionals who are committed, reflective, model educators who learn from experience and contribute to the profession.
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Course requirements and suggested program of study
- Teaching (public schools (PK-6), international schools, charter schools, Christian schools, MK schools, home schools )
- Consulting work in Christian education
- Working as an academic interventionist
- Ministering within churches in educational programs
- Ministering to children through mercy organizations worldwide
- Tutoring – private or public institutions
- Directing afterschool and daycare programs
- Foundation for further training as curriculum and instructional specialists, guidance counselors, school administrators, and for doctoral work
