B.A. Physics/Math Education
The fallacy that people often recite is that “those who can’t, teach”. This statement
couldn’t be further from the truth. People who decide to teach choose to make a difference in the lives of individuals, an impact that lasts a lifetime.
Teachers get incredible joy in seeing the difference they make as students gain new
insights, become more interested in a subject and learn about themselves. Every day,
teachers mold the future through impacting their students’ views and understandings.
Teachers foster creativity, develop character, give students lenses with which to
view the world and provide students with the skills they need to reach their potential
and lead productive lives.
Many individuals are attracted to teaching by a sense of service, because they want
to make a clear, tangible difference in the lives of others. As a teacher, you see
the fruits of your efforts everyday as you use your intelligence and creativity to
help students become excited about and learn about the science in their lives. Some
people know they want to be teachers from a young age and refer to teaching as a calling.
Most teachers, however, start their undergraduate education with a different career
in mind or with some confusion about what they want to do. It is often difficult to
know whether or not a career is for you. Regardless of whether you know you want to
teach, are unsure of teaching or think you want to teach for a few years before pursuing
professional school, there are many benefits to getting your teaching license and
gaining some teaching experience.
The need is critical for individuals who not only have the ability, but the passion
to touch the lives of students through education. For over a decade now, Arkansas
has had a shortage of math and physics teachers.
"A lot of the profession is older, the retirement rates are escalating at the same
time that we're having difficulty finding new young people," Pulaski County Special School District Superintendent Dr. Jerry Guess explains. “We have sought retired people who might be willing to do a short time substitute
job to fill those positions until we can find someone.”
OBU is currently one of the few Institutions in the State of Arkansas to offer a secondary
Physics/Math Licensure degree specifically for future educators who desire to teach
physics and mathematics only. Individuals who complete the Physics/Math licensure
degree may also be eligible for financial incentives from schools as well as partial
loan cancellation. Graduating with a Physics/Math degree nearly guarantees a job offer
some somewhere within the state. But, our program is not just about producing just
anyone to fill the teaching needs of the state. We endeavor to produce only teachers
of quality and character who have a drive and passion for excellence. Great teachers
will produce great students.
A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.
- Brad Henry (Former Governor of Oklahoma)
Our licensure program is a four-year degree that culminates with a student teaching
experience. Along with the OBU CORE, students will focus their preparation in the
areas of Physics, Mathematics and Education. This degree is designed to meet and exceed
the standards set forth by the Arkansas Department of Education. Carefully selected
courses in all three primary areas are used to give the prospective teacher a well-rounded
background in order to be effective in teaching principles in those areas to students.
Being a teacher is more than just a profession, it is a calling – a call to invest
your time and energy in the lives of those who may go on to become scientists, doctors
and leaders in our world. Teaching is a challenging job that requires creativity,
problem solving and clever management skills and is NOT for everyone. If you believe that you have a calling to touch the lives of today’s
youth or desire to choose a career where you WILL make a difference through Physics
and Math, we would love to talk with you further about this degree, its requirements
and what to expect. You can contact us at [email protected].
Requirements for Admission to the Education Program
Eight Semester Course Checklist
