Overview

The education program at Southwestern College has a lengthy and glorious history of training elementary and secondary school teachers.  When founded in 1885, Southwestern College offered courses for the preparation of teachers.  The normal department (a school which offered courses for the training of students to be teachers) was organized in 1889 and initially provided a three year program for certification of teachers.  In 1890, it was increased to a four-year course of study.

Forty-nine students were enrolled in the normal department in 1890 and throughout the history of Southwestern College there have been exemplary graduates of the teacher education program.  They have provided outstanding leadership as teachers and administrators in schools throughout the world.  Some graduates have chosen occupations outside the educational field and also have been very successful.

In the spring of 1993, the administration and board of trustees made a commitment to enhance the teacher education program at Southwestern College.  This commitment was visibly demonstrated in two ways.  First of all, four full-time staff members were employed in the teacher education program.  Secondly, the college acquired the new facilities adjacent to the west side of the main campus which provide excellent offices, a curriculum lab, two small conference/classroom spaces and a large modular classroom.  The new facilities were named The Southwestern College Center for Teaching Excellence.

The teacher certification programs in the major areas are accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education which assures that they meet certain standards.  Teacher education students are required to meet graduation and certification standards established by the Kansas Department of Education and Southwestern College.  These standards are developed to provide graduates the knowledge and experience necessary to be effective teachers.

Education