Zach Smith
208.467.8753
educationinfo@nnu.edu
Find the program from NNU that works best for you:
- On-Campus Traditional Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary or Secondary Education
- Elementary (K-8) Teacher Certification and Bachelor’s Degree in Education
- Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certification and Master of Art in Teaching (MAT)
Want to be a teacher?
Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) offers tailored teacher education programs to fit your needs and schedule. Opt for our Traditional Bachelor’s Degree for a full-time, on-campus experience, or choose our online Elementary (K-8) program to earn your bachelor’s degree and teaching certification in as few as 16 months. Already have a bachelor’s? Our online Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) program provides a fast track to certification and an advanced degree, boosting your career and salary prospects. Start your journey with NNU and make a lasting impact in education.
degree details
Bachelor’s Degree
Teacher Certification
Master of Art in Teaching (MAT)
On-Campus Traditional Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary or Secondary Education
Select this program if you are:
- A traditional on-campus student
- High school graduate (with or without college credits)
- Available to take day-time classes on campus
- Looking for a traditional 4-year program
Stephanie Gunstream
208.467.8496
admissions@nnu.edu
Learn More: Elementary Education
Learn More: Secondary Education
Elementary (K-8) Teacher Certification and Bachelor’s Degree in Education
Select this program if you are:
- Are interested in online courses
- Do not have a completed bachelor’s degree but have at least 28 earned college credits**
- Are not already a certified teacher
- Want the flexibility of an online program (coursework is 100% online)
- Want to earn your bachelor’s degree and teaching certification in as few as 16 months
Contact:
Zach Smith
208.467.8753
educationinfo@nnu.edu
**If you have fewer than 28 earned college credits and would like to take the first steps toward teacher certification, consider our AA in Education.
Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certification and Master of Art in Teaching (MAT)
Select this program if you:
- Have completed a bachelor’s degree
- Currently do not have a teaching certificate
- Want to earn your teaching certification and enter the field of education
- Want the flexibility of an online program (coursework is 100% online)
- Want to finish in as little as 16 months
- Want to earn your Master of Art in Teaching (MAT)
- Want the ability to move up the teacher pay scale with master’s (MAT) degree completion
Contact:
Zach Smith
208.467.8753
educationinfo@nnu.edu
Learn More: Elementary Education
Learn More: Secondary Education
Accreditation & Regulations
Notice to Out-of-State Students
Since this bachelor’s degree in elementary education leads to professional licensure, prospective students should review important information about NNU’s participation in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and Professional Licensure. Individual states often have different expectations for professional licensure, so it is in a prospective student’s best interest to investigate whether NNU’s degree program will help them achieve licensure in their home state.
CAEP Accredited Provider
Northwest Nazarene University’s College of Education meets the requirements for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Colleges of Distinction
Northwest Nazarene University received the 2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction Award in Education.
Meet Our Faculty
Lori Sanchez, PH.D.
Dean, College of Education; Professor of Education
Holly Ripley, ED.S.
Associate Professor; Undergraduate Chair; ACE/MAT Program Director
Robin Gilbert, ED.S.
Associate Professor of Education; Educational Leadership Program Director
Michelle Van Beek, PH.D.
Assistant Professor of Education; Graduate Chair
Lisa Amundson, Ph.D.
Professor of Education; Exceptional Child Program Director
Lauren Pastoor
Program Coordinator, Accelerated Certification in Education (ACE)
L. Michelle Rowley, ED.S.
Assistant Professor of Education; Elementary Math and Science
Jennifer Hill, ED.D.
Professor of Education; Secondary Education Coordinator
Jennifer Cornell, PH.D.
Associate Professor of Education; Director of Clinical Practice
Jackie Schober, BA
Program Coordinator, Educational Leadership Programs
Already certified to teach to Idaho?
NNU’s Endorsement Only Program assists Educators who hold a valid State of Idaho Standard Instructional Certificate with endorsements in Secondary, All Subjects (K-8), or Special Education Generalist to add additional subject areas endorsements. Teachers will need to satisfy content and pedagogy requirements in order to obtain an additional subject area endorsement.