Speech/ Theatre Education

Bachelor of Arts

Our education programs prepare you to teach and motivate students with innovative techniques and the latest technology.

Fast Facts

Meets on-site in Olathe

126 credit hours

We Prepare You

You’ll have the opportunity to work and learn in the state-of-the-art Bell Cultural Events Center with set construction and studio classes. You can also join a production in the Black Box theatre as well as main stage productions. And you’ll have opportunities like international student teaching, networking through Educators Rising, and dynamic field experiences prior to student teaching.

Program Overview

As a graduate, you will complete all Kansas requirements for teacher certification. Our faculty will also help you find out how to become certified in other states, and many are similar to Kansas requirements.

We offer valuable networking opportunities through our Math Club, Pi Lambda Theta—our Education Honors Society, and our Educators Rising program.

Application to the teacher education program is a separate and additional admission process from applying to MNU.

View all courses & admission requirements

CATALOG

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SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Cost & Value

A degree from MNU is a competitively priced, affordable option designed for students with a busy schedule. We’re here to help you find the best options to assist you as you work toward earning your degree.

Credit Hours:

General Education: 42-50

Electives 0-10

Major Requirements: 37

Total: 126

Financial Aid Available

The Federal Direct Student Loan Program is an additional payment option. MNU School Code: 007032. Information and applications may be obtained from the Student Financial Aid Services Office at 913.971.3298 or finaid@mnu.edu.

Pioneer Pledge

Concern about paying back student loans is common. That’s why we provide the Pioneer Pledge, our loan repayment assistance program. If your income is modest after graduation, Pioneer Pledge assists with your educational loan repayments. Learn more on our financial aid pages.

MNU Scholarships

Your education is one of the most important investments you will ever make. At MNU nearly 100% of new students qualify for financial assistance that greatly reduces the actual cost of an MNU education.

Scholarship opportunities are also available to you—John Stephens Memorial Scholarships and Mathematics Scholarship as well as Education and TEACH grant scholarships. These are awarded to sophomores, juniors and seniors based on performance and financial need.

Payment Options

Your degree is an investment in your future. We have a variety of different payment options available, so you can choose the option or combination of options, that best fits your situation. The total cost will be calculated based on your program and can be divided into multiple payments.

Application Process

Fall 2025 Start

Now accepting applications from seniors in high school or college transfers who are interested in starting at MNU in Fall of 2025.

APPLY FOR FALL 2025 NOW

Fall 2026 Start

Now accepting early action application from juniors in high school! Applicants with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.75 (weighted or unweighted) will be considered for provisional admission with priority consideration for our honors program and performing arts scholarships.

APPLY FOR FALL 2026 NOW

*Some exceptions made on case by case basis.

Prospective students will need to provide:

Complete an MNU application

Submit all transcripts

Complete a FAFSA. MNU code: 007032

Navigate Your Call to Teach

Find the program that’s right for you. Talk to your MNU team to customize your journey.

Dr. David Spittal

President

EdD; Educational Administration (Higher Education/Public Relations), Ball State University
MSE; Music, Ball State University
BS; Music & Art Education, Ball State University

Dr. David Spittal has been the president of MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2012. Under his leadership, the university is striving to reach the next level of God-honoring excellence.

Prior to coming to MNU, Dr. Spittal served as president of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., from 1994 to 2011. During his 17-year tenure, the university experienced historic growth and expanded to five campuses and learning centers. His work led SWU to strengthen and build relationships with the local and regional community.

An influential member of the local community, Dr. Spittal serves on various councils and boards including the Council of Advisors of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trustees for the Kansas Independent College Association and Kansas Independent College Fund. He is a member of the USA/Canada Council of Education of the Church of the Nazarene.

He and his wife Donna have two grown sons and six grandchildren.

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Cleveland University-Kansas City Cooperative Program:

Accelerated pathway to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
Acceptance into Cleveland for all students who complete appropriate coursework at MNU with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Specialized advisor for students of MNU who intends to pursue professional study at Cleveland.

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

Desire to pursue a career in Chiropractic Medicine
Major in Kinesiology

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

Complete an application to Cleveland 6 months in advance of desired entrance date.
Complete a minimum of 99 hours of an undergraduate degree at MNU.
Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
Complete all coursework as outlined in the agreement between MNU and Cleveland.

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

Preference points on application into a highly competitive program.
Mission alignment between Southwest Baptist University and MNU.

To qualify for the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program students must:

Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.
Complete the GRE
Complete the PT application through PTCAS
Provide documentation of 40 hours observation in physical therapy.
Complete selected prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C” and a 3.25 prerequisite GPA.

Your adviser will work with you to ensure that you take the required prerequisite courses to qualify for this program.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

3+2 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 2 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU and a bachelor’s degree from MNU, or
3+3 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 3 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU, a bachelor’s degree from MNU, plus a master’s in engineering from WashU.
Combines the best of MNU with the strength of a top engineering school
Students participating in the 3+3 options receive a 50-60% tuition discount at WashU
GRE is not required for admission

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or better in science and mathematics courses
Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of transferable college credit
Complete the following courses:
- Chemistry: one semester of general chemistry with lab
- Computer Programming: One course or certified proficiency in a high-level language
- English Composition: One course or certified proficiency
- Humanities and Social Sciences: At least 15 hours (see WashU website for specific prerequisites)
- Mathematics: See WashU website for specific prerequisites
- Physics: One year calculus-based physics with lab
See WashU website for department-specific prerequisites

To learn more about program offerings at MNU and degree specific prerequisites, visit engineering.wustl.edu/dualdegree

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Craig Masters at cmasters@mnu.edu

Speech/ Theatre Education

Fast Facts

We Prepare You

Program Overview

Cost & Value

Credit Hours:

Financial Aid Available

Pioneer Pledge

MNU Scholarships

Payment Options

Application Process

Fall 2025 Start

Fall 2026 Start

Navigate Your Call to Teach

Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal

President

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Cleveland University-Kansas City Cooperative Program:

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

To qualify for the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program students must:

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

Add Your Heading Text Here

Speech/ Theatre Education

Fast Facts

We Prepare You

Program Overview

Cost & Value

Credit Hours:

Financial Aid Available

Pioneer Pledge

MNU Scholarships

Payment Options

Application Process

Fall 2025 Start

Fall 2026 Start

Navigate Your Call to Teach

Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal​

President

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Cleveland University-Kansas City Cooperative Program:

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

To qualify for the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program students must:

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

Add Your Heading Text Here

Dr. David Spittal