Teaching is more than a profession. It’s a calling. Ask any great educator what led them to a teaching career, and you’re likely to hear stories of inspiration, compassion, and the desire to make a difference. While the heart for teaching is vital, skill is equally important. Effective teachers know how to manage a classroom, craft engaging lessons and data-informed instruction, and navigate the diverse needs of their students.
At Southern Nazarene University (SNU), the Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE) program is designed to develop both the heart and the skill of teaching. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or a seasoned educator seeking to earn your degree, this program offers the training, mentorship, and field experience to help you thrive in the classroom.
Why Both Heart and Skill Matter
Great teachers do much more than convey information. They also connect, motivate, and transform the lives of their students. The heart of teaching is evident in the patient smile given to a struggling reader, the encouraging note on a student’s assignment, and the after-school hours spent helping a learner catch up. These moments of humanity are the soul of education.
However, a heart for teaching needs support, experience, and knowledge. Modern classrooms are complex learning environments. Educators must be prepared to differentiate instruction, manage behavior, integrate technology, and align lessons with state standards. Research-backed methods and pedagogical skills are essential to helping all students learn and grow.
The making of a well-prepared teacher lies in the combination of passion and know-how. A deep sense of purpose paired with the practical skills to make an impact.
How SNU Helps Future Teachers Develop Both
SNU’s Bachelor of Arts in Education program is designed to meet the needs of adult learners seeking alternative certification as classroom teachers in Oklahoma. The program combines professional training, classroom experience, and Christian values in a flexible format that accommodates the needs of working adults and busy schedules.
Here’s how SNU helps students develop the heart and skill of teaching:
1. Supportive Faculty Who Know the Classroom
The professors in SNU’s education program are more than scholars; they are seasoned educators who have real-life teaching experience and understand the joys and challenges of the profession. Their guidance goes beyond academic instruction. They serve as mentors, encouragers, and advocates who are invested in your success.
And with smaller class sizes and SNU’s cohort model, you will never be lost in the crowd. You’ll build meaningful relationships with faculty and peers who walk alongside you throughout your journey.
2. Curriculum That Balances Theory and Practice
SNU’s curriculum is designed to give you a strong foundation in educational theory, child development, instructional strategies, classroom management, and assessment. You’ll learn how to design lesson plans that align with state standards, evaluate student progress, and adapt instruction for students with different needs.
Courses are taught from a Christian perspective, helping you explore how your faith can shape your work as a teacher. You will learn to make a difference by offering compassion, modeling integrity, and being a positive influence in your school and community.
3. Flexibility for Adult Learners
Many SNU students are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. That’s why the Bachelor of Arts in Education is designed with flexibility in mind. Courses are offered in evening and online formats, and at an accelerated pace, one five-week course at a time.
You don’t have to put your life on hold to pursue your dream of becoming a teacher. SNU helps you make it possible.
4. Opportunities to Earn FREE College Credits and Funding Options for Your Degree
Your goal may be even closer than you think. Transfer credits and Prior Learning can help you earn FREE college credit for work you’ve already completed and knowledge you've already acquired. With Enhanced Advanced Standing, you can earn up to nine college credits for professional licenses and certifications you’ve already earned or training you’ve already done. Our Prior Learning Assessment can help you earn up to 30 college credits towards your degree. With up to 39 free college credits, your degree can be even more affordable.
In addition to Prior Learning, there are other ways to make funding your teaching degree more affordable. Grants, student loans, and loan forgiveness for teachers can account for a significant portion, if not all, of your costs.
What You'll Be Qualified to Do
Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue alternative teacher certification in Oklahoma in elementary or secondary education, special education, or other approved areas of specialization. Many alumni go on to teach in public, private, or charter schools, while others use their degree in youth programs, education nonprofits, or church settings.
Beyond the degree and certification, you’ll walk away with something even more valuable: the ability to make a lasting difference in students’ lives.
Why Now Is the Time
There’s never been a more urgent need for passionate, qualified teachers. Across Oklahoma and the nation, schools are seeking educators who are not only well-trained but also bring compassion, resilience, and dedication to their work. If you’ve felt the nudge to step into the classroom, this could be your moment.
At SNU, we believe that teaching is more than a job. It’s a mission. It’s a chance to love, lead, and serve through education. And we’re here to help you do just that.
Learn More and Take the First Step
Ready to turn your passion into a profession? Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Education program, and discover how you can begin your journey to becoming a licensed teacher in Oklahoma.
Your heart for students matters. Let’s give you the skills to match.
