Why Choose Teacher Education at Bushnell?
Extensive classroom experience. Personalized faculty mentorship. Oregon licensure preparation. Bushnell’s Online Teacher Education program combines flexible online learning with research-based instruction and hands-on clinical experiences that prepare you to become an effective educator. Faculty mentors provide individualized support throughout the program while helping you connect educational theory to real classroom practice.
Beginning early in the program, you’ll gain meaningful experience working alongside licensed educators before completing full-time student teaching. Grounded in a Christ-centered approach to education, you’ll graduate prepared to teach diverse learners with confidence, compassion, and professional excellence.
1,000+
Clinical Practice & Student Teaching Hours
1
Preliminary teaching license pathway aligned with Oregon TSPC requirements
PK-12
Teacher licensure pathways in elementary or secondary education
Clinical Practice and Student Teaching
Classroom experience is a central part of Bushnell University’s Teacher Education program. You’ll begin gaining hands-on experience early through classroom observations, service learning, tutoring opportunities, and supervised field placements in local PK–12 schools.
As you progress through the program, these experiences become increasingly immersive and culminate in full-time student teaching. In total, you’ll complete more than 1,000 hours of supervised classroom experience while working alongside licensed teachers and Bushnell faculty supervisors.
These school-based experiences allow you to apply instructional strategies, strengthen classroom leadership skills, support diverse learners, and build the confidence needed for your first teaching position while preparing for Oregon teacher licensure.
What You’ll Study
How the Curriculum is Structured
The Online Teacher Education curriculum combines flexible online learning with hands-on classroom experience and professional licensure preparation. You’ll build a strong foundation in instructional methods, classroom management, student development, assessment practices, educational technology, and inclusive teaching strategies designed for today’s diverse PK–12 learning environments.
You’ll study topics including:
- Child Development & Learning Theory
- Classroom Management
- Educational Assessment
- Inclusive Teaching Practices
- Educational Technology
- Faith IntegrationStudent Teaching
Through supervised clinical practice, field placements, and student teaching experiences, you’ll gain real classroom experience while preparing for Oregon teacher licensure and long-term success as an educator.
Licensure Pathways and Endorsements
The Elementary Education Concentration
The Elementary Education concentration prepares you to teach across subject areas in self-contained elementary classrooms while building expertise in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, health, physical education, and the arts.
You’ll learn how to support child development, create engaging learning environments, and teach diverse learners through evidence-based instructional practices and supervised classroom experience.
The Secondary Education Concentration
The Secondary Education concentration prepares you to teach at the middle or high school level through subject-specific instructional methods, adolescent development coursework, and classroom experience aligned with your chosen endorsement area. You’ll combine education coursework with content-area specialization while developing the skills needed to lead engaging, effective secondary classrooms.
Available endorsement areas include language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, Spanish, health, and physical education.
Endorsements
Choose from Elementary or Secondary Education pathways while building teaching specializations through additional endorsement coursework aligned with your academic interests and career goals. Endorsement options include mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, Spanish, health, and physical education.
- Mathematics
- Science
- Language Arts
- Social studies
- Spanish
- Health
- Physical education
Some endorsement coursework may be completed during daytime hours or transferred from another accredited institution with advisor approval.
Faculty advisors work closely with you to help align endorsement pathways with your licensure goals and future teaching interests.
Specialty Endorsements
Specialty endorsements allow you to expand your expertise in specialized instructional areas and student populations. Bushnell University offers endorsements in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Special Education, providing additional preparation through focused coursework, field experiences, and practicum opportunities.
Graduate Career Ready
What Can You Do with a Degree in Teacher Education?
Students who graduate from the online teacher education program at Bushnell go on to pursue these types of careers:
- Elementary School Teacher
- Middle or High School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher*
- English Language Learner (ESOL) Teacher*
- Instructional Coach or Curriculum Specialist
- Graduate Study in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or Educational Leadership
*Additional endorsement or licensure requirements may apply.
Skills You’ll Gain
Through Bushnell’s Online Teacher Education program, you’ll develop practical and career-ready skills, including:
- Design engaging, standards-based learning experiences
- Support diverse learners through inclusive instructional practices
- Assess student learning and adapt instruction effectively
- Build positive classroom environments that encourage growth
- Communicate and collaborate with students, families, and colleagues
- Lead engaging, research-based learning experiences
Where Our Graduates Go
Bushnell Teacher Education graduates serve students in public, private, and faith-based schools throughout the western United States, with many beginning their teaching careers in Oregon and across Lane County. Graduates teach in PK–12 classrooms throughout Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, and Idaho, applying research-based instructional practices and Christ-centered leadership to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Many graduates also continue their education through graduate programs at institutions including:
- Bushnell University
- George Fox University
- Oregon State University
- Stanford University
- University of Oregon
- University of Southern California
- Western Oregon University
Whether entering the classroom or pursuing advanced study, Bushnell graduates leave prepared to support diverse learners, lead with integrity, and make a lasting difference in education.
Accelerated Dual Pathway (4+1)
The Accelerated Dual Pathway at Bushnell University enables students to achieve a bachelor’s and a master’s degree within a span of five years. This program offers Bushnell students an accelerated application procedure, a smooth transition, and significant time efficiency.
Accreditation
Bushnell University’s School of Education meets rigorous academic and professional standards. The Teacher Education program is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). In addition, Bushnell’s licensure programs are approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). These accreditations ensure the program meets state and national expectations for educator preparation and supports eligibility for teacher licensure and professional advancement.
Planning Your Path to Teaching
Learn more about admissions, licensure pathways, classroom experiences, endorsement options, and program requirements as you prepare to become a licensed educator and make a meaningful impact in the lives of students.
Getting Started
Licensure Requirements
Classroom Experience
Admission to Bushnell’s Online Teacher Education program requires acceptance to Bushnell University and completion of approximately 60 semester credits prior to beginning the professional education sequence. Applicants submit official transcripts, a statement of purpose, resume, recommendation materials, disposition assessments, and participate in an admissions interview.
The admissions process is designed to evaluate academic preparation, professional potential, communication skills, and readiness to enter the teaching profession. Students work closely with admissions counselors and faculty advisors throughout the application process.
Bushnell University’s Teacher Education program is approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and prepares candidates for an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License in elementary or secondary education. Coursework, field experiences, and student teaching requirements are aligned with state licensure standards and professional expectations.
All Teacher Education students are required to create an eLicensing account through TSPC as part of the licensure process. Faculty advisors provide guidance throughout the program to help students understand licensure requirements and prepare for successful recommendation upon graduation.
Students planning to teach outside Oregon should review licensure requirements in their intended state. While Bushnell’s Teacher Education program is designed to meet Oregon licensure standards, individual states may require additional coursework, testing, or application steps.
Faculty and advisors can help students understand potential licensure considerations and identify resources for researching requirements in other states.
Clinical practice is integrated throughout the Teacher Education program, allowing students to connect coursework with real classroom experience. Candidates complete more than 1,000 hours of supervised field and student teaching experiences while working alongside certified educators in elementary and secondary school settings.
Students complete 240 hours of clinical practice followed by a 600-hour full-time student teaching experience. These experiences help future educators develop instructional confidence, strengthen classroom management skills, support diverse learners, and apply research-based teaching strategies before graduation.
Students choose either an Elementary Education or Secondary Education pathway and may pursue endorsement areas aligned with their interests and career goals. Secondary education candidates complete endorsement-specific coursework in their chosen subject area.
Available endorsement options include mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, Spanish, health, physical education, ESOL, and special education. Faculty advisors work closely with students to help align endorsement choices with licensure requirements and professional goals.
Teacher licensure candidates must complete all testing and fingerprinting requirements established by the State of Oregon and TSPC. Fingerprint clearance through TSPC is required prior to official admission into the Teacher Education program.
Students are responsible for completing all required testing and licensure-related procedures and should anticipate additional fees associated with state requirements. Program faculty and staff provide support and guidance throughout the process.
Oregon educators are required to demonstrate knowledge of civil rights laws and laws prohibiting discrimination in educational settings. Teacher candidates must successfully complete all required Civil Rights in Educational Settings learning modules as part of the licensure process.
All required modules must be completed prior to beginning field experiences or by program deadlines established by the School of Education. Successful completion of these requirements is necessary for licensure recommendation.
Bushnell is committed to making teacher preparation accessible and affordable. Students may be eligible for federal financial aid, scholarships, military and veteran education benefits, employer assistance programs, and flexible payment options.
The Pathways in Education Scholarship, offered in partnership with regional organizations, helps support future educators while addressing workforce needs in schools and communities. Financial aid counselors are available to help students explore funding options and develop a personalized plan for completing their degree.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Yes. Bushnell University’s Online Teacher Education program is approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The program is designed to prepare students for preliminary teacher licensure in Oregon while meeting rigorous state and national educator preparation standards.
Bushnell coordinates supervised field and clinical placements through partnerships with local school districts and approved educational settings. Students complete hands-on classroom experiences under the guidance of certified cooperating teachers and Bushnell faculty supervisors. Clinical practice and student teaching placements help students apply instructional strategies, classroom management skills, and professional teaching practices in real PK–12 learning environments.
Students pursuing the Secondary Education pathway complete a subject-area endorsement aligned with their career goals and teaching interests. Available endorsement areas may include mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, Spanish, health, physical education, ESOL, and special education. Coursework requirements vary depending on the selected endorsement and prior academic preparation.
Bushnell’s Online Teacher Education program can be completed in as few as 24 months. Designed for working adults and career changers, the program combines flexible online coursework with supervised field experiences and student teaching requirements that prepare graduates for Oregon teacher licensure.
Yes. Bushnell University works with students to arrange supervised clinical placements and student teaching experiences in approved school districts whenever possible. Faculty and field placement coordinators partner with local schools to help you complete required classroom experiences while meeting Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) requirements. If you plan to pursue licensure outside Oregon, our faculty can help you understand your state’s specific requirements and how they may differ.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bushnell’s Online Teacher Education program? Your admissions counselor can walk you through requirements, discuss transfer credits, and help you figure out your next step.
Our faculty and staff are 100% committed to your learning and invested in your success.
Come learn with us!
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