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.
Why Choose Teacher Education at Bushnell?
Small classes, personalized faculty mentorship, and extensive classroom experience rooted in faith-informed learning. Bushnell’s Teacher Education program prepares you to become a confident, compassionate educator through coursework that combines instructional theory, classroom leadership, and practical teaching experience with a strong Christian foundation.
Faculty bring real PK–12 classroom experience into every course and invest personally in your growth throughout the program. Rather than learning teaching practices only through textbooks, you’ll apply instructional strategies in real school settings through more than 1,000 hours of supervised field experience and student teaching.
Through hands-on learning, classroom placements, mentorship, and licensure-focused preparation, you’ll graduate prepared for Oregon teacher licensure and meaningful careers in public, private, and faith-based schools.
1000+
Hours of supervised field experience and student teaching in PK–12 classrooms
15+
PK–12 partner schools and districts where students regularly complete field placements and student teaching
3
Progressive field experiences (minor, major, and student teaching) supervised by Bushnell faculty and cooperating teachers
What You’ll Study
How the Curriculum is Structured
The Teacher Education curriculum combines rigorous academic preparation with hands-on classroom experience and professional licensure training. You’ll build a strong foundation in learner development, instructional strategies, classroom management, curriculum design, educational technology, and assessment practices designed for today’s PK–12 learning environments.
Coursework includes classes such as Child Development, Classroom Relations and Management, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Foundations of Education and Diversity, Literacy Methods, Educational Technology, and Faith Integration in Teaching Seminar. Through supervised field experiences and student teaching, you’ll apply what you learn in real classroom settings while preparing for Oregon teacher licensure and long-term success as an educator.
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.
Concentrations
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, physical education, ESOL, and special 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.
Where Students Complete Placements
Bushnell Teacher Education students complete field experiences and student teaching placements in PK–12 schools and districts across Oregon. Strong partnerships with regional schools help students gain meaningful classroom experience while building professional connections and licensure preparation.
Students regularly complete placements in districts and schools, including Eugene 4J, Springfield, Bethel, Salem-Keizer, Creswell, Junction City, Corvallis, Pleasant Hill, and Lake Oswego, along with private and faith-based schools throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Skills You’ll Gain
Through Bushnell’s Teacher Education program, you’ll develop practical, classroom-ready skills, including:
- Design engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards
- Build positive classroom environments and manage student behavior
- Support diverse learners through inclusive teaching practices
- Apply instructional strategies across multiple subject areas
- Use educational technology to support student learning
- Assess student progress and adapt instruction effectively
- Communicate clearly with students, families, and school communities
- Strengthen leadership, collaboration, and classroom management skills
- Apply ethical decision-making and faith-informed values in educational settings
- Build confidence through supervised classroom experience and student teaching
Frequently Asked Questions?
You’ll become eligible for Oregon teacher licensure by completing Bushnell University’s Teacher Education program, including required coursework, supervised field experiences, and full-time student teaching. The program is approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and designed to prepare you for initial teacher licensure in Oregon.
Bushnell offers Elementary Education and Secondary Education concentrations designed to prepare you for Oregon teacher licensure.
Secondary Education students complete subject-area endorsements in areas such as mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, Spanish, health, and physical education.
Additional endorsement opportunities may include ESOL and special education.
You will begin gaining classroom experience as early as your first year at Bushnell through courses that include school-based observations and service learning.
As you progress, these experiences build into structured field placements and culminate in full-time student teaching. In total, you will complete more than 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in PK–12 classrooms, working alongside licensed teachers and university supervisors.
A Teacher Education degree from Bushnell University prepares you to teach in public, private, and faith-based PK–12 schools throughout Oregon and the western United States. Graduates pursue careers as elementary teachers, middle and high school educators, ESOL specialists, and educational leaders, while some continue into graduate programs in education, curriculum, and educational leadership.
The Secondary Education pathway prepares you to teach a specific subject at the middle or high school level. You will complete coursework in adolescent development and instructional methods while also earning a subject-area endorsement, such as English, math, science, or social studies.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bushnell’s Teacher Education program? An 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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