Christian Education
Department
Description
Christian Education Department
The Christian Education Department at Hartland College is designed to prepare students professionally and competently to teach wherever God calls them in the mission field. Each class in the program is intentionally structured to develop in students a deep and abiding knowledge of God and facilitate a closer relationship with the Master Teacher. Early in the student’s program, they are afforded the opportunity to both observe classes and receive practical hands-on training from veteran mentor teachers in a wide variety of educational settings to include Hartland Day Academy lab school.
Our Mission
The Education Department of Hartland College prepares 21st-century professional teachers for the mission field and to fulfill their calling as Christian educators. The program integrates faith and learning in a Christ-centered, biblically based environment as it focuses on building and strengthening the “harmonious development of the physical, mental, and spiritual powers” (Education, p. 9) to serve the Lord.
Our Philosophy
The Education Department at Hartland College believes that all children are created in the image of God and, as such, have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to be afforded a Christ-centered education, facilitated by teachers who love the Lord and believe it is their duty to emulate Christ and His methods of reaching and teaching people.
Why This Program Exists
The Education Program at Hartland College exists to train Christ-centered teachers in biblically sound methods of instruction, pedagogically relevant teaching techniques, research-based and guided practices, in a spiritually focused and grounded learning environment for the 21st-century missionary teacher.
How We Intend to Accomplish This
The Education Department will accomplish this awesome feat by first learning from and emulating the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ. Secondly, we will also approach the process of teaching and learning by viewing education from a wholistic perspective as we develop the complete child: mind, body, and spirit. Thirdly, we will ensure that we are in alignment with the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist world church and the principles regarding the education of students as articulated in the education standards of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Office of Education.
Why What We Do
The Education Department at Hartland College is driven by love, compassion, forgiveness, care, and joy. We intend to prepare competent, effective, moral, Christ-loving teachers to work with the most vulnerable of Christ’s creation—children. Graduates of our program will leave with a solid foundation in biblical principles related to teaching and learning, relevant pedagogical skills for today’s Seventh-day Adventist schools, and the ability to seamlessly integrate faith and learning throughout the curriculum. They will also learn how to make education fun and interesting by linking theory and practice in innovative ways.
Program Features
The Bachelor’s in Christian Education at Hartland College prepares students for the following:
- Acquiring the skills and knowledge to qualify for the Seventh-day Adventist North American Division’s initial teacher requirements.
- Gaining skills and knowledge to teach in any self-supporting ministry of Christian learning.
- Learning how to integrate faith seamlessly into the learning process.
- Gaining practical, hands-on experience in diverse learning environments.
- Participating in student teaching opportunities at our on-campus Hartland Day Academy lab school.
- Merging theory, practice, and the Spirit of Prophecy into every aspect of the learning experience.
- Engaging in internship opportunities with experienced, mission-minded teacher mentors over a three-quarter period.
This program is designed to equip motivated, focused, and Christ-centered students with the knowledge and skills to guide, inspire, and mentor young minds to walk with Christ. Students will be prepared to help children realize their God-given potential and develop the competencies needed to succeed in a 21st-century world.
Program Learning Outcomes and Objectives
Students will:
Receive a solid Bible-based foundation and practical experiential learning that merges academics with outreach, work education, and outdoor and adventure education.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Elementary Education (grades 1 to 6)
This major is designed to train students wholistically to become competent teachers in Christian elementary schools. The foundational focus of study and the emphasis of each course is Christ-centered and Bible-based. Students are trained to integrate the Spirit of Prophecy, the Bible, and contemporary educational theories and practices into the classroom. Students completing a program in Christian Elementary Education will have the professional skills and dispositions to teach in single-grade and multigrade educational settings from a Christian worldview using research-based and Bible-supported principles and instructional strategies that meet the needs of a diverse student population. Students will learn how to differentiate instruction, manage the learning environment, create meaningful assessment instruments, select appropriate instructional strategies according to the learning needs of their students, and integrate a Christian worldview into the teaching and learning process.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree
Course duration: 4 years
Credits: 196
Internship: 30 weeks
Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Education
The major in Religious Education prepares students for mission and to teach the Seventh-day Adventist religion and its doctrines, beliefs, and history in Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools, secondary-level academies, and affiliated religious institutions. The focus of the program is to create a learning environment that is spiritually validating, is intellectually enlarging, and builds strong Christian character. Students will develop the competence to teach the Scriptures, doctrines, and the life of Jesus Christ through classroom instruction, discussions with peers, mentoring by experienced faculty, experiential learning, and outreach efforts in the community. Students will learn how to present structured didactic lessons and cooperative learning experiences for their students as they teach the Seventh-day Adventist message, Spirit of Prophecy, and last-day events.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree
Course duration: 4 years
Credits: 190
Internship: 30 weeks
Students desirous of adding a Christian Secondary Education minor to their program of study must declare a minor with their academic advisor and complete a minimum of 58 credits.
For more information see the Academic Bulletin