Why This Program?

Share your passion.

Prepare to teach elementary, middle, and high school students by majoring in K-12 education with a physical education endorsement at Briar Cliff. Physical education at Briar Cliff means you can graduate with more classroom experiences supervised by Briar Cliff University faculty. Accredited by the Iowa Department of Education, our program is known to transform its students into highly qualified, engaging educators. You'll be taught by exceptional professors with a wide range of teaching experiences.

Get Early, Hands-on Experience: Before you begin student teaching, you will have already gained at least 120 hours of classroom experience through observations and working with large and small groups in your practicum experiences. This ensures you'll be prepared for the best possible student teacher experience.
Coaching Endorsement: Looking to develop your skills and coaching competencies as a coach? Briar Cliff University offers the Iowa Coaching Authorization and the Iowa Coaching Endorsement. Beyond the courses, certificates showing successful completion of concussion training and CPR are also required.
Easily Boost Your Resume: You also have the option to pick up a special education and/or coaching endorsement, thereby qualified to teach more subject areas and more grade levels.

More About the Program

Our physical education program includes the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP). The Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) complies with and is accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. The TPP starts with "Introduction to Education," a course that requires a minimum of 10 hours of field experience. It is a prerequisite for all other education courses at Briar Cliff, serving as the gateway to the education program. Students who complete the requirements for this course are eligible for admission into the education program of their choice.

Education program graduates leave Briar Cliff with a thorough understanding of the following educational takeaways and are eligible to apply for the licensure needed to teach in both private and public schools.

Learner Development: The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Learning Differences: The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments, which enable each learner to meet high standards.
Learning Environments: The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines he or she teaches, and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Application of Content: The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Assessment: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, monitor learner progress, and guide the teacher's and learner's decision making.
Planning for Instruction: The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals, by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), while adapting practices to meet the needs of each learner.
Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and advance the profession.

In the Franciscan tradition, the Briar Cliff University education program prepares professional educators through community and service. These outcomes were adopted and adapted from the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC).