student describing a lesson to the teacher

Certificate in Christian Educator Training

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Tuition & Aid

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Lipscomb University aims to fulfill the need for highly qualified faith-based educators through partnership with Christian schools, which offers participants a 50% discount.

Candidates at partner schools who possess an undergraduate degree may pursue a Certificate in Christian Educator Training to prepare them for the pedagogy, content and cultural facets of teaching in a Christian school setting.

This program provides the coursework and skill development that new educators in Christian schools need to be successful with their students and thrive in the Christian school learning environment. CCET coursework includes field experiences in Christian school environments. CCET students may also complete additional courses and licensure exams to complete a Tennessee teaching license and/or a Master’s/Ed.S. degree.

If you participate in the CCET program, you are classified as “non-degree seeking.” The program adheres to similar admission standards, procedures and academic policies of the Graduate Studies in Education department.

Christian Educator Training Program Outcomes

The mission of the CCET program is to prepare you to be an effective educator within Christian school environments. This mission includes:

Coursework that prepares you for the Christian school environment, featuring curriculum focused on the specific needs of the Christian educator
Intentional field placements at partner Christian schools
Spiritual growth for you and those you will educate

Certificate Training

Designed for those who already have an undergraduate degree or are currently-licensed teachers, this certificate program includes graduate-level training and preparation specifically designed for the Christian school setting.

12 credit hours of coursework

Planning, Instruction, and Assessment
Building Classroom Communities
Integrating Faith in Academic Disciplines
Methods (Subject area focus)

Teaching Licensure

How can my school qualify for a discount?

Our partnership with Christian schools offers a 50% discount for participants. Potential partner Christian schools sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to officially partner with Lipscomb. This will provide the associated discount to the schools' Christian educator candidates. Partner schools must provide an on-site mentor teacher to support participating candidate(s) during the program. Reach out to Megan Parker Peters for more information.

Christian Educator Programs

Admissions Requirements

Completed Online application
$50 application fee
Official transcripts for all degrees conferred and any other coursework post bachelors.
Personal statement:
Explain your goals and your purpose for pursuing a graduate education degree at Lipscomb University and elaborate on how this degree would help you to make an impact on teaching and learning in your classroom or school in a concise, clear essay. (500 words)
Three Recommendations
- Recommender #1 – Current Administrator/Supervisor (non-family member)
  If no direct supervisor, provide another academic reference (see Rec. #2)
- Recommender #2 – Academic or Professional Colleague (non-family member)
- Recommender #3 – Personal reference of integrity and/or faith (non-family member)
Resume
Lipscomb College of Education graduate programs do not generally require graduate exam scores such as the GRE or MAT unless required for state licensure, accreditation, or program specific reasons. If your most recent degree GPA is below 3.0, a program director may ask you to provide graduate exam scores to be considered as part of the supplementary materials to your application for admission. Check with the specific program you are interested in regarding exam scores that may be required for admission

View the College of Education's graduate programs application timeline.

International Students

Courses

Certificate General Courses (9 Hours)

EG 5053 - Planning, Instruction & Assessment (3)
EG 5063 - Building Classroom Communities (3)
EG 5463 - Integrating Faith in Academic Disciplines (3)

Certificate Methods Course (3 Hours)

CCET Students will choose ONE of the following methods courses depending on subject area taught:

EG 5143 - Methods in STEM K-5 (3)
EG 5153 - Methods for Adolescent Learners (3)
EG 5163 - Early Childhood Methods (3)
EG 5173 - Methods in Art Education (3)
EG 5183 - Teaching of English Language Arts (3)
EG 5193 - Teaching of History/Social Sciences (3)
EG 5423 - Methods in STEM Content Areas (3)

Optional Licensure

Teaching Licensure (6 hours)

Certificate in Christian Educator Training courses (12)
EG 5793 - Integrated Literacy (3)
EG 5023 - Principles of Learning (3) or EG 5803 - Literacy Foundations and Standards (3).

The selection is dependent on the subject you wish to teach. You must also complete a non-credit edTPA course in order to complete licensure requirements.

Mentorship

CCET candidates must also enroll in the CCET section of EG 513V Mentoring for a total of two hours minimum during program or at least one hour per semester while they are completing coursework.

This mentoring course provides a formal mentoring relationship with an established Christian educator. The contracted Christian school (to employ the CCET candidate) will identify a qualified educator at their school to serve as a mentor.

Contracted Christian schools will share identified mentors with Lipscomb for communication and training. Qualified mentors will receive an honorarium for their work.

Contract

CCET candidates will have a contract arrangement with course instructors in order to develop an assessment of meaningful connections to Christian education. This contract seeks to foster creativity and independence of scholarship, as well as to develop a mentoring relationship with the faculty member and mentor.

Your contract assignment/module should add to the academic dimension of the course by introducing new material or by allowing you to pursue in greater depth one of the topics on the syllabus that specifically relates to the fundamentals of Christian education. Topics will be evaluated by your mentor, instructor, and Associate Dean, if necessary. The project should be of sufficient scope for you to present as professional development.

Potential assignments include a research paper, presentation, or action research. The proposed contract must be approved by your mentor, instructor, and Associate Dean by the end of the third week of the semester.

Tuition & Aid

$953* per credit hour
Partner Christian schools secure a 50% tuition discount for their teachers. Learn more.

*Note: The graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective each summer semester.

View all College of Education scholarships

Contact Information

College of Education, Admin

Megan Parker Peters
Associate Dean, College of Education
(615) 966-5034
megan.parkerpeters@lipscomb.edu

Graduate and Adult Admissions, Admin

Kristin Blankenship
Director of Graduate Enrollment
(615) 966-5364
kristin.blankenship@lipscomb.edu

Why Earn Your CCET at Lipscomb University?

Faith in Academics

Faith-based education is a special work our community wishes to flourish. Christian schools need qualified Christian educators who specialize in fulfilling those needs both in the classroom and school as a whole.

Faculty Support

The CCET program will provide you with an extensive support network of faculty at Lipscomb and partner schools. Your journey as a Christian educator is designed to form deep relationships with mentors and advisors.

Continued Education Opportunities

While there are many on-going education opportunities, few of them focus on the needs of a Christian education environment. The CCET program targets those needs specifically, offering specialized continued education.

Average class size

Our Faculty

Casey Heard

Assistant Professor

Meet Casey Heard
Suze Gilbert

Assistant Professor

Suze Gilbert holds a B.S. degree in elementary education from Freed-Hardeman University, the M.Ed. and Ed.S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Middle Tennessee State University, and the Ed.D. in...
Meet Suze Gilbert
Emily Medlock

Program Director for Undergrad Student Teaching

Dr. Emily Medlock is the Director of Undergraduate Programs and Student Teaching as well as an associate professor in the College of Education. She is a graduate of Lipscomb University...
Meet Emily Medlock

Career Paths

Christian Education

Teachers and administrators in a Christian environment teach future generations with the skills and knowledge that furthers the pedagogy and culture of faith-based education.

Ministry

Christian Ministers aim to fulfill the needs of all peoples, whether spiritual or other, utilizing their training and understanding of the Bible.

Nonprofit Organizations (Faith-based)

Employees of faith-based nonprofit organizations work toward a specific cause with the qualities and knowledge expected from those who are Christ-centered.