King College > Academics > Schools > School of Education

School of Education

The Department of Teacher Education offers both a baccalaureate and a post-baccalaureate program leading to initial teacher licensure in elementary education, middle grades education, and secondary education.

Early and often best describes the experience students who are pursuing teacher licensure have at King. Our teacher education licensure programs incorporate field experiences across the curriculum-helping you confirm your choice of major and defining potential career options. You’ll participate in a variety of school and classroom placements with experiences mentor teachers. In addition, your preparation will culminate with a professional semester of student teaching during which you’ll put all you’ve learned into practice.

The mission is further described in the Teacher Education Program’s Conceptual Framework.

Program Highlights

Teacher Education 

Whether you want to teach children or teenagers, King’s education programs will prepare you for licensure. Our interdisciplinary studies major provides preparation for careers in elementary and middle school teaching (grades K-6, 4-8). In addition, we offer programs leading to teacher licensure in several secondary education (grades 7-12) disciplines. A major in biology, chemistry, English, French, geography/history, government/history, mathematics, physics, or Spanish—combined with a secondary education minor—will prepare you for teaching in grades 7-12. You can also explore our new licensure program in special education, as well as additional endorsements in English as a Second Language, government, and geography.

Interdisciplinary Studies in Education

This program is just as the name suggests—a study of various academic disciplines that are considered distinct, yet interrelated. You’ll take courses across disciplines organized into programs of study to fit your needs, interests, and career goals. The interdisciplinary studies major offers flexible and creative combinations of courses. You can pursue four options:

• Tennessee licensure in grades K-6 in a program that combines a minor in elementary education and a modified general education core.
• Tennessee licensure in grades 4-8 in a program that combines a minor in middle grades education, a modified general education core, and concentrations in two academic areas.
• A program of study with a defined major in interdisciplinary studies. This major offers excellent preparation for careers in human services, child care and early childhood education, recreation, youth ministry, missions, and other service-oriented professions. 
• A comprehensive program of study with a major in interdisciplinary studies that’s available to students who wish to design a unique program of study that is not offered by the college. This option allows students to pursue a degree that combines two or more areas of study that meet their career goals.

Physical Education

You can expand your career options with a minor in coaching. You’ll select from courses in physical education which are designed to equip you with knowledge and skills in selected fitness and sports activities, which provide field experience.

King’s most recent Title II pass rate (2003-2004) on the Praxis II examinations for licensure was 100 percent, as compared to a statewide pass rate of 96 percent. Praxis exams are used by Tennessee and 36 other states to document the fact that teacher candidates have met the minimum standards required for licensure.

Where will you go with a degree from our School of Education?... click here to find out more.

Want to learn more about positions in which King grads are hired?... click here to find out more.