Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Emphasis in Coaching (Certified)

Overview

The Secondary Education program at ACU trains you in the art and science of coaching athletics and teaching while providing critical coursework to deepen knowledge and understanding of the field of education. Three key attributes of the program will prepare you for a successful career in education. First, the program emphasizes the integration of education principles across the teaching profession. You will learn that teaching is not compartmentalized but is a rich combination of research-based theories and hands-on practical experience. Second, the program emphasizes practicality. Through the lens of extensive experience, faculty provide you with timely and valuable glimpses into today’s classrooms. The final and most valuable attribute of the program is the emphasis on mentoring. Because of the small size of the university, you will be able to develop a strong mentoring relationship with their instructors. This mentoring begins in the classroom, continues through student teaching, and beyond.

Why Secondary Education – Coaching at ACU?

In addition to a faculty to student ratio of 17:1 and a rigorous and biblically integrated curriculum, ACU’s Secondary Education program offers several unique advantages:

  • Secondary Education Coaching coursework is often integrated with athletic teams right on campus.
  • ACU’s College of Education graduates are in great demand locally and abroad.
  • ACU is one of 24 universities in the United States and the only one in Arizona that is certified by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).
  • ACU’s Secondary Education program is approved by the Arizona Department of Education.
  • Faculty in the department have an average of 20 years of experience in the field, meaning you are taught by leaders in education who have extensive classroom experience.
  • Small class sizes create an intimate, safe setting to practice your teaching and hone your skills.
  • God’s Word and His Truths are foundational in all coursework at ACU.
  • All graduates in the certified program also graduate with a full ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) endorsement, which provides opportunities to teach internationally.

Beginning your first year, our phenomenal faculty and staff commit to do our part while you do yours, providing you with personalized, on-on-one support, and benefits unique to ACU. Click HERE for a detailed layout of your expectations and benefits as an education major. Just think of it as All As- ACU benefits, ADE approved, and ACSI certified.

What will I study?

The Secondary Education program provides a biblical liberal arts foundation with an innovative approach to general studies that reclaims a Christian conception of the Liberal Arts, preparing students to be influential thinkers. Career-related focus areas will include:

 

  • Educational psychology
  • Kinesiology
  • Athletic coaching
  • Curriculum and instruction methods for 6th grade through High School
  • Human development
  • Research informed secondary education teaching methods
  • Special education methods
  • Classroom management
  • Methods for teaching English language learners
  • In-depth study of your content area or proficiency of content is determined by the passing of the Arizona Subject Knowledge Secondary Education Exam

Career Paths

Graduates who meet the requirements of the Secondary Education program are prepared to:

  • Teach grades 6-12 at a charter, private, or public school in their content area.
  • Coach some athletic teams
  • Teach in Christian schools in the United States and all over the world because of the ACSI certification earned through ACU’s program.
  • Obtain master’s degrees in leadership, curriculum and instruction, administration, special education, or in their content area.
  • Work with youth in various church, parachurch, and nonprofit organizations.

 

Shelly Roden School of Education

Arizona Christian University
1 W. Firestorm Way
Glendale, AZ 85306

  Phone:
(602) 489-5300

  Email:
[email protected]

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosure Statement

In compliance with U.S. Federal Regulations (34 CFR § 668.50 and 34 CFR § 668.43), Arizona Christian University provides the following disclosures concerning its Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education program.

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education may lead to Educator Certification in Arizona. All students who satisfactorily complete the Secondary Education certificate program at Arizona Christian University, will receive an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from the university. A program “audit” will be conducted upon completion of the last program requirement to ensure 3.0 GPA in required program coursework (including transfer coursework), a 2.5 GPA overall, tuition/fees paid in full, and materials checked out from library have been returned. The IR will be uploaded to the Arizona Department of Education. It is good for one year and cannot be reissued. The IR saves you time and money when you are applying for your teaching certificate. An informative chart on the benefits of completing the Education Program at ACU can be found at https://www.arizonachristian.edu/education-program-benefits/. Information on Educator Certification in Arizona can be found at the Arizona Department of Education website (https://www.azed.gov/educator-certification).

Additionally, certificated graduates receive an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) teaching certificate that qualifies them to teach in Christian schools in the 180 U.S. and around the world. For information on how to apply for ACSI certification, please visit their website (https://www.acsi.org/accreditation-certification/certification-for-teachers/certification).

States vary in their certification requirements. ACU has made reasonable, good faith efforts to determine if its certified education programs meet the applicable education requirement for professional licensure or certification in all fifty states and several U.S. territories. This information can be accessed here.

These disclosures do not guarantee that any jurisdiction will approve an application for certification, and ACU shall not be held liable for an unsuccessful professional certification application.

Updated 2/16/2022

Academic Major Courses

Core requirements accumulate to 30 credits, 15 credits of Biblical and Theological Studies and 8 credits of science courses.

CourseCourse NameCredits
HIS 212US and Arizona Government3
EDU 300Tests and Measurements3
EDU 314Introduction to the Exceptional Child3
EDU 315Educational Psychology3
EDU 317Curriculum and Instruction3
EDU 415Classroom Management (Taken semester prior to student teaching)3
SEI 490Structured English Immersion Methods3
SED 410Directed Student Teaching9
SED 490Secondary Education Capstone3
Choose OneEDU 312 Human Development ~OR~ PSY 314 Adolescent Psychology3
Coaching Emphasis (9 credits)
BIO 476Kinesiology3
PHE 301Coaching Fundamentals3
Coaching Electives - Sports Participation (3 credits)
PHE ___Sports Participation1
PHE ___Sports Participation1
PHE ___Sports Participation1

Program Field Emphasis

In the Secondary Education major, we want our students to develop a passion for education. Certain subjects within the education industry resonate with different types of educators, and this is why we offer a strong variety of fields to choose from. If you have any questions about a specific emphasis, please do not be afraid to each out to your EMS.

A GPA of 3.0 in education and content classes is required with no grade lower than a C (A = 4.0). An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.

Checksheet (Business emphasis)

A GPA of 3.0 in education and content classes is required with no grade lower than a C (A = 4.0). An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.

Checksheet (English Language Arts emphasis)

A GPA of 3.0 in education and content classes is required with no grade lower than a C (A = 4.0). An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.

Checksheet (History emphasis)

A GPA of 3.0 in education and content classes is required with no grade lower than a C (A = 4.0). An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.

Checksheet (Math emphasis)

A GPA of 3.0 in education and content classes is required with no grade lower than a C (A = 4.0). An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.

Checksheet (Physical Education emphasis)

A GPA of 3.0 in education and content classes is required with no grade lower than a C (A = 4.0). An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.

Checksheet (Political Science emphasis)

A GPA of 3.0 in education and content classes is required with no grade lower than a C (A = 4.0). An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.

Checksheet (Science emphasis)