Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication Education Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca’s Bachelor of Arts in speech communication education is an interdisciplinary program that provides you with the foundation needed to become an effective and engaging speech communication and forensics teacher in grades 6-12. The program culminates with student teaching experience in local and diverse classroom settings.

Program Benefits

• Gain valuable student teaching experience.
• Learn from faculty who possess high degrees in their fields, who have relevant and valuable real-world experience, and who make an effort to know you personally.
• Enjoy our small class sizes and supportive campus community.
• Take advantage of incredible job opportunities available in the diverse Nashville market.

What to Expect

Trevecca’s Bachelor of Arts in speech communication education is perfect for you if you want to pursue a career that combines your love of communication with your desire to inspire and teach. This interdisciplinary program offers the best of our communication studies department and our NCATE-accredited School of Education, giving you a strong and well-balanced foundation to become a successful teacher.

Our challenging and engaging coursework specifically prepares you to teach public speaking and/or forensics (competitive speech) in grades 6-12. In addition to a broad base of coursework, you’ll gain valuable student teaching experience. You’ll have opportunities to observe and teach in local classrooms in diverse school settings to enhance your learning and prepare you for success. You can also choose to enroll in our fifth-year master’s program and complete a year-long internship.

Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers, and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth.

As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your speech communication education degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith, and your goals.

General Education Core — 63 hours

• BUS 2010 Financial Stewardship 2
• COM 1010 Speech Communication 3
• EDU 2100 Technology for Educators 2
• ENG 1020 English Composition I 3
• ENG 1080 English Composition II: Critical Reading, Writing, and Thinking 3
• ENG 2000 World Literature 3
• ESL 3150 English Acquisition (FE-10) 3
• HIS 1400 World Civilizations: Ancient and Medieval World 3 or HIS 1450 World Civilizations: Early Modern and Modern World 3
• HPE 1500 Introduction to Health and Wellness 2
• INT 1100 Life, Calling, and Purpose 3
• MAT 1040 Concepts of Mathematics 3 or MAT 1080 Problem-Solving: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach 3
• MUS 1500 Fine Arts 3
• PHL 2010 Introduction to Philosophy 3 or PHL 3070 Ethics 3
• PSY 2010 General Psychology 3
• PSY 2500 Human Growth and Cognition 3
• PSY 3411 Introduction to the Exceptional Learner 3
• REL 2000 Introduction to Biblical Faith 3
• REL 3000 Christian Tradition 3
• REL 4000 Christian Life and Ministry 3
• SCI 1500 Life Science 3 or SCI 1600 Physical Science 3
• SCI 2600 Issues in Science 3

INT 1100: Freshman leadership course requirement. Candidates entering with more than 24 hours are exempt.

Choose one of the following — 3 hours

• SOC 2500 The Family in Society 3
• SOC 3200 Social Problems 3
• SOC 3300 Urban Sociology 3

Major — 31 hours

• COM 2010 Interpersonal Communication 3
• COM 2025 Principles of Intercultural Communication 3
• COM 2210 Introduction to Mass Media 3
• COM 2215/ITI 2215 Introduction to Film and Video Production 3
• COM 2500 Argumentation and Debate 3
• COM 2810 Small Group Communication 3
• COM 3010 Theories of Communication 3
• COM 3070 The Rhetorical Tradition 3
• COM 3170 Voice and Articulation 3
• COM 4000 Advanced Public Speaking 3
• COM 4210 Forensics Practicum 1
• Certification in First Aid and CPR 0

Professional Secondary Core — 19 hours

• EDU 1020 Becoming a Teacher (FE-20) 1
• EDU 1500 Foundations of Education 2
• EDU 2300 Secondary Curriculum and Instruction (FE-20) 3
• EDU 3410 Educational Tests and Measurements 2
• EDU 3510 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas (FE-20) 3
• EDU 3556 Effective Classroom Environments 2
• EDU 4230 Methods and Materials for Secondary Education (FE-30) 3
• SOC 3270 Education in an Urban Culture (FE-10) 3

Professional Semester — 12 hours

• EDU 4600 Student Teaching Seminar 3
• EDU 4670 Enhanced Student Teaching Secondary School 1-9
• EDU 4730 edTPA Seminar 0

Total Credit Hours: 125

Teacher candidates with a Speech Communication Education major will be able to:

• Possess knowledge suitable for employment in a career requiring communication skills;
• Identify a major theorist in the discipline of communication;
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills; and
• Perform effectively as a teacher in middle/high school grades 6-12.

With your degree from Trevecca, you’ll be well-prepared to continue on to graduate studies or teach speech and forensics in grades 6-12. Because most schools don’t offer full-time teaching roles for speech alone, graduates are encouraged to obtain additional certification in other disciplines such as English, history, social sciences, or theatre. Any additional certifications graduates receive will increase their qualifications for full-time teaching positions.