Department of Teacher Education
PUBLIC NOTICE: On July 10, 2024 the Commission for the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability voted to approve Southwestern Christian University's Educator Preparation Program (EPP) for 2-year accreditation. SCU's CAEP site visit is scheduled for Spring 2026. Please contact Dr. Kathren Stehno at kathren.stehno@swcu.edu for more information.
SCU’S EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS
Accreditation Update and Continuous Improvement Commitment
In summer 2024, SCU’s College of Education was awarded OEQA/CEQA (State) Accreditation for its initial teacher preparation programs. The accreditation was granted with identified areas for improvement, which we are actively addressing. Our next onsite review is scheduled for fall 2026.
This accreditation affirms our ongoing commitment to both accountability and continuous improvement. The OEQA/CEQA process plays a critical role in evaluating the effectiveness of educator preparation providers, with a particular emphasis on whether candidates are adequately prepared—by program completion—to meet the multifaceted demands of today’s classrooms.
Accreditation is part of a multi-year cycle that requires the demonstration of valid, reliable, and actionable evidence aligned with rigorous state standards. The College of Education engaged faculty, staff, students, and administrative leadership throughout the process. Their collective efforts reflect a shared commitment to quality, equity, and relevance in teacher education.
We are proud of the collaborative work accomplished to date and remain focused on delivering high-quality academic preparation and practical experience for our teacher candidates, ensuring they are ready to positively impact schools and communities.
Measure 1: Completer Impact and Effectiveness Initial-Level (Component R4.1)
The EPP uses a combination of internal measures (impact on student learning survey questions in end-of-course surveys) and state-evaluation measures such as the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness (TLE) and OEQA’s First Year Teacher and Mentor/Admin Surveys to measure completer impact and completer effectiveness. More information and Data Link here: https://rb.gy/lqf04c
Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement
The EPP employs surveys distributed by state entities as well as EPP created surveys to measure satisfaction of employers at both the initial (R4.2) and advanced (RA4.1) levels. Additionally, the EPP provides multiple forms of evidence of internal and external stakeholder involvement, including partnerships, collaboration, and involvement in the EPP assessment process. More information and Data Link here:
https://rb.gy/60qljz
Measure 3 (Initial): Candidate Competency at Completion (R3.3)
Data provided relates to measures the EPP is using to determine if candidates are meeting program expectations and ready to be recommended for licensure.
The EPP measures candidate competency at program completion at the initial
level through a combination of state-measures (state licensure exams) and EPP adopted instruments (CPAST) that measures competencies across content knowledge, skills, and dispositions. More information and Data Link here: https://rb.gy/1qy1r6-
Measure 4 Initial: Ability of Completers to be Hired in Education Positions for
Which They Have Been Prepared: The EPP tracks its graduates through the OSDE (Oklahoma State Department of Education) educator database to determine successful employment in the area in which the completers were prepared. Also, this EPP has continued to keep in contact with graduates for the past 5 years. More information and Data Link here: https://rb.gy/51axib
Teacher Education Degrees:
SCU offers education degrees that provide candidates with the knowledge, skills, and disposition to teach in PK-12 schools - public or private. Southwestern Christian University's Department of Education provides a B.S. in Teacher Education in the following subject areas:
- Early Childhood Development Education (PK-3rd)
- Elementary Education (1-6th)
- Secondary Education - English Education (5th-12th)
- Secondary Education - History Education (5th-12th)
- Secondary Education - PE, Health, and Safety Education (PK-12th)
- Secondary Education - General Music Ed/Vocal (PK-12th)
Find Out More:
Contact: Dr. Kathren Stehno
Director/Chair of SCU's Teacher Education Program
Email kathren.stehno@swcu.edu
Phone: (405) 789-7661 ext. 2282
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COME TO THE CROSS! Are you ready to be a part of one of an exciting new program at SCU that leads to a career as a professional educator? The Education Department invites you to come to the CROSS. The Education Department is home to the Teacher Education Program which has recently been approved by the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (formerly the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation). The graduate emerging from the SCU teacher education program is: CARING for every student and the belief that all can learn REFLECTIVE on professional and personal practice SERVICE-guided as a model of Christian character through leadership and involvement SCHOLARSHIP-minded in the pursuit of life-long learning The essence of our Christian mission is supported by a strong commitment to preparing competent, caring, reflective, and qualified educators. SCU emphasizes the integration of subject matter, clinical experiences, and pedagogical knowledge as demonstrated by caring actions, service in the field, and teaching skills. We believe the teacher is the orchestrator of the learning environment and has the responsibility to create a positive atmosphere for all students. This is reached through specific themes designed to provide a unique educational experience at SCU. The SCU teacher education program seeks to prepare effective educators who are caring, reflective, service-guided, and scholarship-minded throughout their professional careers as they facilitate learning and model Christ. SCU’s teacher education program strives to ensure that teacher candidates develop a strong foundation in the liberal arts, a sound knowledge of their discipline, and an understanding of how students learn and develop. Teacher candidates are encouraged to explore, reflect, analyze, and think critically as they develop curriculum and appropriate assessment procedures with awareness of different learning styles and as they strive to create a positive classroom environment that facilitates learning and partnerships with the home, school, and community through a reasonable mastery of communication skills. In order to establish these expectations for our program, the SCU Teacher Education Council voted to adopt the InTASC Standards. Based on research and a solid knowledge base, the InTASC Standards will serve as the practical application for our SCU Conceptual Framework. So if you feel this is a path you want to pursue:
You might find the following links helpful in finding out more about teaching as a profession and SCU’s Teacher Education Program:
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Contact Information
Contact: Dr. Kathren Stehno
Email: kathren.stehno@swcu.edu
Phone: 405-789-7661 ext. 2282