Educating the future
Many teachers encourage students to express themselves, but few have as much fun doing so as those who teach speech, theatre, debate and forensics.
Speech/Theatre Education
Start your future in speech/theatre education.
Program Highlights
Creative Teaching
Kids say the darnedest things. Especially creative high-school kids standing on a stage, and you get to teach, coach, and guide them through what is likely their favorite subject. Some people have all the luck.
Special Honors
Graduates of the speech and theatre program at Friends University will be able to teach speech or theatre content courses, coach debate and forensics competitive events, and direct, supervise and manage theatre productions.
Preparing Future Teachers
The coursework required for the speech/theatre education program at Friends University prepares students to be speech communication and theatre arts teachers at the high-school level.
Student Teaching Opportunities
This four-year program includes student teaching at the secondary level during the fall or spring semester of the student’s senior year.
Meeting Requirements
Other requirements include admittance into the teacher education program and a cumulative, education and content GPA 2.75 no “D” grades in the major or content areas. The combination of selected courses in education, speech, theatre and mass media allow students to meet appropriate KSDE state standards and requirements.
Licensed to Teach
Graduates are licensed to teach by the state of Kansas after successfully completing the degree and passing the Principles of Learning and Teaching Exam (PLT) and a content test.
Career Services
Helpful career guidance. The base salary for a BS/BA level beginning teacher with no experience for the local district (USD 259, Wichita) is $43,654 with a full range of benefits that typically include sick leave, health insurance, flex spending accounts, retirement, etc.
Program Outcomes
- The teacher education candidate will demonstrate an appropriate level of content and pedagogical knowledge.
- Demonstrate knowledge of content to be taught.
- Demonstrate knowledge of students’ skills, knowledge and prerequisite relationships.
- Demonstrate knowledge of content-related pedagogy.
- Demonstrate the ability to design coherent instruction.
- Demonstrate the ability to assess and evaluate student learning.
- Provide quality feedback to students and colleagues.
KSDE Standards 1, 2 and 3. KPTP Focus Area A: analysis of Contextual Information
- The teacher education candidate will develop and implement an appropriate learning environment where all students are engaged and on task.
- Recognize and implement factors related to development of a classroom environment of respect and rapport.
- Establish appropriate expectations for learning and achievement.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage common non-instructional duties.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage student behavior appropriately.
- Demonstrate the ability to engage all students in learning.
KSDE Standards 3, 4, 7, 11 and 12. KPTP Focus Area B: Analysis of Learning Environment Factors
- The teacher education candidate will appropriately implement and adapt instruction for diverse learners to ensure all learners meet expectations.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and accurately.
- Demonstrate the ability to use questioning and discussion techniques appropriately.
- Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness toward a diverse population.
- Demonstrate knowledge of age group characteristics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of students’ varied approaches to learning.
- Demonstrate knowledge of students’ interest and cultural heritage.
KSDE Standards 4, 11 and 12. KPTP Focus Area C: Instructional Implementation. KPTP Focus Area D: Analysis of Classroom Environment
- The teacher education candidate will demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors.
- Reflect on teaching and its effect on learners’ performance.
- Maintain accurate records of attendance, lesson completion, and student progress.
- Serve appropriately as student advocate.
- Communicate appropriately with families.
- Maintain cordial relationships with colleagues.
KSDE Standards 5, 6 and 8. KPTP Focus Area E: Analysis of Assessment Procedures. KPTP Focus Area F: Reflection and Self Evaluation