Education Degree Programs at Asbury University
Asbury University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Online.
Through the School of Education, Asbury University offers several degree programs that teach students the skills they need to work as successful teachers. Traditional undergrads can choose between the university’s elementary education and middle school education programs. Elementary education majors learn how to work kids up to fifth grade, while middle education majors learn how to work with kids between fifth and ninth grade. Education majors must take 70 credits of required classes, including Introduction to Education, Language Arts Methods, Literacy Assessment, and Classroom Management. They will also do two student teaching experiences.
The university offers other education degree programs that require students to take classes from other departments and schools. P-12 programs include majors in art, French, health education, Latin education, Spanish and music education. The health education program includes some physical education courses too. Students can choose different majors if they want to work with kids between eighth and 12th grades, including math, English, and chemistry. Other options for undergrads include certification programs for those who have a bachelor’s degree and want to teach and a completion program for adults who want to finish the degrees they previously began.
One of the main options for online students is the university’s elementary education program. It has four different start times each year to help students begin the program when they can. Each class runs for a full eight weeks, which allows students to take twice as many classes in a semester as they would in a traditional program. Though the university requires that students take 124 hours of classes, they can bring up to 75 hours into the program.
Graduate students can earn Master of Arts degrees in English as a second language, literacy, or learning and behavior disorders. The literacy program trains students for working as specialists with kids from preschool through high school, while the English as a second language helps teachers and others get an endorsement to work with their students. Asbury University also offers Master of Arts in Teaching programs in chemistry, math, social studies, middle school, learning and behavior disorders, and other fields. There is an education specialist degree available from the university too, which will help students become principals and superintendents.
About Asbury University
Asbury University is a private university affiliated with the Christian Church in Wilmore, Kentucky. Established as the Kentucky Holiness College in 1890, it became Asbury College to recognize the work of Bishop Asbury. It went through many changes during its early years as school officials worked to improve the college’s reputation and increase enrollment while also reducing the debts that it acquired. Though it served as Asbury College for several decades, it is now a full university.
One of the unique features of the university is the degree programs that it offers. Those programs are suitable for a wide range of students. High school students can enroll in a post-secondary program and take classes online or on the Wilmore campus to earn college and high school credit. Working adults can enroll in programs that help them complete their degrees. Students of all ages and types can transfer up to half the credits they need to graduate into one of the university’s programs too. Those programs helped enrollment at Asbury climb to more than 1,600 students.
Asbury University Accreditation Details
The education programs offered by Asbury University have accreditation from two different organizations: the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Asbury also has institutional/regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). To maintain that accreditation and continue meeting the needs of students, the university has a review committee that constantly monitors its progress and ensures it keeps its accreditation.
Asbury University Application Requirements
Though Asbury has an application that is available online, it also allows students to apply via the Common Application. This is a good choice for students who want to apply to multiple schools. Asbury does not have an application deadline but encourages students to apply early if they need any financial aid. They will answer any specific questions on the Common Application from the university and pay a fee when they submit it. Asbury requires test scores and transcripts too and will accept both GED scores and home school transcripts.
Students applying to a graduate education program must meet the requirements of that specific program. Most programs ask for an application and transcripts that show the student had a GPA of at least 2.75. Those who already have their teaching licenses must submit copies of their PRAXIS scores and licenses. Many programs ask for the name and contact information of a professional or academic reference too. The university will contact that person and ask for a recommendation. Students usually need to sign and submit an online record that states they have good character and are in good physical shape. Asbury may ask for a copy of the student’s resume too.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The online elementary education program offered by Asbury University charges $399 per credit hour. This is the same rate that students finishing their degrees through the university will pay. Students pay different amounts to finish the program based on how many credits they already have. All other education undergraduate programs charge students rates that come out to $14,950 each semester. They can take a minimum of 13 credits up to 18 credits for this same rate. Graduate students pay between $475 and $959 per credit hour for their courses.
More than 90% of Asbury undergrads receive financial aid, and a large number of graduate students get aid too. All students should use the FAFSA, which will help the university determine what government and institutional aid they deserve. Government aid can come from both the state and federal governments and include loans and grants. Undergrads get subsidized loans, while graduate students receive unsubsidized loans. Asbury will also match any awards that churches give to students up to a set amount. Some of the scholarships given to undergrads will cover up to 30% of their total tuition costs. Asbury University allows students applying to its education degree programs to apply for financial aid in the fall before they begin one of these programs.