Liberal Studies: Teacher Education, B.A.

Liberal Studies: Teacher Education, B.A.

Program Overview

Always dreamed of being a teacher? Want to make a difference in the lives of children? Maybe you spent your childhood playing school, or perhaps a great teacher inspired you to follow in his or her footsteps. Maybe you've always known you wanted to teach elementary school. Or perhaps you're drawn to this calling for the first time. However, you've been drawn to the classroom, if you want to be an elementary school teacher, Liberal Studies: Teacher Education is the ideal major for you.

PLNU's teacher preparation program will:

  • Give you real classroom experience through approximately 100 hours of fieldwork in local public schools
  • Help prepare for earning a multiple subject teaching credential (for elementary school teaching)
  • Allow you to complete coursework for your B.A. and preliminary teaching credential in as little as four years (rather than the more typical five years)
  • Help you meet subject matter competency for the state of California
  • Ready you in an area of concentration (such as mathematics), which could help you work towards earning a second credential teaching in the middle and high school (grades 6-12) or set you on a pathway towards earning an Education Specialist credential (to teach special needs learners)
  • Ground you with a strong focus on serving students, making a difference, and employing your faith in your vocation
  • NOTE: For students interested in teaching a specific subject at the middle or high school levels ONLY (e.g., mathematics), we encourage you to pursue a major in your disciplinary subject area. We will work alongside you to choose credential classes as you progress through your major program of study.

The PLNU School of Education has an outstanding reputation in San Diego. PLNU is known for graduating teachers who are well-prepared to lead in their classrooms, who care deeply for their students, and who act ethically with a strong servant-minded perspective.

PLNU's partnerships with local school districts help to meet real community needs while making you classroom-ready when you graduate.

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the requirements for educator certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. PLNU cannot confirm whether specific programs meet out-of-state requirements for Professional Licensure or Certification. Information about out-of-state requirements in teacher credentialing is available on this website. 

Classrooms of Possibility

One Cool Teacher: Tyler Kuehl Named Middle School P.E. Teacher of the Year
How Noelle Doctorian Went From First-Year Teacher to Teacher of the Year

Become A Difference Maker

Videos (1)
Articles (13)
One Cool Teacher: Tyler Kuehl Named Middle School P.E. Teacher of the Year Kuehl’s P.E. classes focus on social and emotional learning, allowing his students to not only engage in physical activities, but also develop important life skills. Discover
How Noelle Doctorian Went From First-Year Teacher to Teacher of the Year Middle school math and science teacher Noelle Doctorian has realized that teaching is not about having all the answers. Discover
5 Ways to Prevent Burnout as a Teacher By prioritizing self-care, setting realistic expectations, seeking support, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, teachers can prevent burnout. Read on to discover essential strategies and practical tips. Discover
10 Ways to Create a Welcoming Classroom A welcoming classroom can do wonders for your students and their academic progress. Here are 10 ways to create a welcoming classroom for your students. Discover
Mike Strong ‘Beautifies’ Society Through Teaching High School Students Mike Strong ‘beautifies’ society through teaching high school students, a PLNU alum who serves his community as a teacher. Discover
Sandi Morse Equips Children’s Ministry Teachers in Peru’s River Communities PLNU alum Sandi Morse is a full-time missionary in Nauta, Peru, a small city on the Marañon River in the Amazon rainforest. Discover
Top 7 Grants for Teachers in California PLNU’s School of Education can help you take advantage of the top grants for teachers in 2022 to pursue your career as an educator in California.  Discover
Alumnus of Point Loma (APL) Awardee: Michelle Murphy The commendation from the United States President was a wonderful encouragement, but Michelle Murphy worked to improve her school district’s technology access and offerings not for accolades but for students. Discover
What are the Pros and Cons of Teachers Giving Letter Grades? Read about the pros and cons of letter grades in the American grading system and whether report cards benefit or harm student understanding and growth. Discover
“A Whole New World” for Kaena Kekoa A year after graduating PLNU, Kaena Kekoa (18) made her professional theater debut as Jasmine in Disney’s Broadway production of “Aladdin”. Discover
10 Traits that Distinguish an Excellent Teacher From a Good Teacher The difference between a good teacher and an excellent teacher is their ability to be empathetic, build relationships, hold high expectations, offer a supportive, creative environment, teach respect, listen well, and more. Discover
How to Become a California High School Teacher The field of education is more accessible than ever. Teaching at the high school level can be particularly rewarding as educators can help teenagers discover their passions before going to college. Discover
What Degree Do I Need to Teach High School PE? If you want to become a PE teacher learn the two most common routes through a degree in education or kinesiology. Discover

Course List

For information about the courses required for the Liberal Studies: Teacher Education, B.A. program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information

Major Map

Start Application

Are you ready to take the next step to begin your PLNU journey? Whether you’re a high school senior, college transfer student, or international student, find out what we’re looking for in our applicants and how you can apply.

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Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future. 

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

Career Opportunities

If you want to be an elementary school teacher, PLNU’s Liberal Studies: Teacher Education program is the one for you. With this degree, you’ll be able to earn your bachelor's degree and multiple subject and/or special education credentials in just 4 years – 5 years. What's more, PLNU has an excellent reputation in the local education community, meaning you’ll have both a degree and experience that will help position you to find a fulfilling teaching job after graduating.

What can you do with a Liberal Studies: Teacher Education degree?

The field of education has a large variety of opportunities and specialties you can pursue. Just a few of the many positions recent PLNU teacher education alumni have gone into are: elementary school teachers, substitute teachers, teaching assistants, preschool teachers, tutors, social and human service specialists, and childcare workers. Oftentimes teacher education alumni work at local and nearby educational communities such as San Diego Unified School District, Poway Unified School District, Chula Vista Elementary School District, and many others.

The following elaborates on certain positions that PLNU teacher education alumni currently hold:

Preschool Teachers

Preschool Teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten. They teach language, motor, and social skills through play and structured activities. They may work in preschools, daycare centers, or other early childhood education settings.

  • Median Pay: $37,120/year
  • Number of Jobs: ~555,100 *
  • Job Outlook (2024–34): +4% (About as fast as average)
  • Annual Openings: ~65,500/year
View Full BLS Profile

Kindergarten and Elementary Special Education Teachers

Special Education Teachers in kindergarten and elementary grades instruct students with disabilities in academic, social, and life skills. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to meet each student’s needs.

  • Median Pay: $64,270 /year
  • Number of Jobs: 559,500
  • Annual Openings: ~37,800/year
View Full BLS Profile

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

These professionals advise and assist students in their educational journeys, help with academic and vocational guidance, and support career planning. They may work in schools, colleges, career centers, or private practice.

  • Median Pay: $65,140/year
  • Number of Jobs: 327,660
  • Job Outlook (2024–34): +4% (About as fast as average)
  • Annual Openings: ~31,000/year
View Full BLS Profile

Prepared to Inspire, Ready to Teach

"Shaped by Loma"
"Trusted Educators"

Teaching with Heart and Passion

Quotes (4)
Pictures (5)
Shaped by Loma
"I think that Point Loma was the best years of my life. The classes prepared me for education for sure, and the internship program while we taught part-time was an awesome experience to get support. I’ve always been a lifelong learner, and it was part of that experience. PLNU set some of those foundational goals I had for myself."
Michelle Murphy Education B.A.
Trusted Educators
"My principal at Chula Vista often asks me, ‘Do you know anyone from PLNU who is looking for a job and can come over?’ Chula Vista asks specifically for Point Loma candidates because PLNU just makes really good teachers."
McKayla Carpenter Teacher Education B.A.
Teaching as Legacy
"My dad had been in education and my grandfather was a teacher after he came back from World War II. I hadn’t planned on being one but then I encountered these amazing teachers at PLNU, reminding me of what my Dad used to tell me about teaching, that it’s just going on a long walk with a kid and coming back as equals."
Mike Strong Literature B.A.
Lessons in Love
"When I would get to the point where I didn’t know what to do, I would always go back to, ‘OK, what’s the greatest commandment? Love God, love people.’ And I feel like I learned that at Point Loma. Professors modeled that mindset in their lives, even when they walked through struggles. You could see that they always landed on ‘love God, love people.’ And that has carried through my entire life."
Kristal Jabara Liberal Studies B.A.

Department Faculty

Get Involved

Students cliffs

Student California Teachers Association

Aspiring educators can join PLNU's branch of the Student California Teachers Association (SCTA) to network, serve, and grow within the field of education.

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District Partnerships

At PLNU's School of Education, we invest in intensive district partnerships that mutually benefit PLNU students and the education community at large.