Why Study Education at Judson College?
Mary Asta Mountain | July 08, 2025
At Judson College, we believe that the cause of Christ is worth pursuing in all areas of life. This is why we equip students to give their lives for that cause in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society.
For some Judson students, this means committing themselves to the work of teaching and discipling the next generation.
“Teachers are going to be some of the most fundamental disciple makers in any educational environment,” said Bryce Hantla, associate professor of education at Southeastern. Hantla also serves as director of the education program and associate vice-president of institutional effectiveness. “Some of the most influential people in students’ lives are their teachers. And I think that the more we can build from a biblical foundation into students’ lives, the greater the students’ impact on the world will be once they leave our classrooms.”
Teachers are going to be some of the most fundamental disciple makers in any educational environment.
Hantla views teaching and the goal of Judson’s education program as directly related to the Great Commission.
“We are commanded to teach right in the Great Commission,” he explained. “And so, teaching well, to all developmental levels, is a part of the ministry of the church; and it’s always been — for thousands of years — part of what God has called us to do.”
Addie Mayor is a student in Judson’s elementary education degree, about to enter her senior year of college. She currently works in the Writing Center at Southeastern as a writing consultant, guiding and instructing students through the research and writing process of their class assignments.
Her degree in elementary education is one of four education degrees offered by Judson and is designed to both equip her as a teacher and prepare her for entrance into a Master of Arts in teaching at one of Judson’s partner schools: Liberty University or NC State.
“I wanted my degree to bring glory to God,” Addie said, when asked why she chose to pursue teaching, “so I was pondering and praying, and I decided that teaching would be the best way for me to serve God and serve others while also using my God-given abilities.”
I decided that teaching would be the best way for me to serve God and serve others while also using my God-given abilities.
For Addie, teaching is something she is passionate about pursuing, wherever God calls her.
“I definitely want to teach in places where the gospel is needed — wherever that is, if it’s worldwide or in my own town,” she explained.
As marketplace training, a degree in education brings with it an array of unique opportunities for advancing the gospel — opportunities that believers might not otherwise have.
Hantla explained it as such: “I encourage people who are going into the mission field to consider getting a teaching license, because one thing we talk about is how foreign countries that may be closed to the gospel are still open to licensed educators, especially licensed educators from a Western educational context.”
In addition to the Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, Judson also offers three Bachelor of Science teaching degrees. With majors in English, history, and social studies (grades 6-9 and grades 9-12), these degrees specifically prepare students to meet the requirements for pursuing a North Carolina teaching license.
Like every curriculum at Judson, the education degrees also include built-in Christian studies minors, equipping students to teach from a solid, biblical worldview. Courses include studies in hermeneutics, theology, Old Testament, and New Testament. These are in addition to the core classes covering topics like ethics, philosophy, and missions.
When asked what advice she would give an incoming education student, Addie encouraged, “Lean into your first couple semesters of classes and, of course, the whole college experience — simply because the philosophical and theological foundation is really necessary before you can do anything on the practical side. You can’t start lesson planning until you know why you’re going to be making anything.”
Teaching provides an invaluable context in which believers can pour into and invest in others, guiding them towards truth — both in academics and in their personal lives. The gospel opportunities are limitless, and Judson is thankful for the number of its alumni already serving in this special field as educators and disciple makers.
To learn more about Judson’s education program and how you could be equipped to give your life for the cause of Christ in the classroom, visit judsoncollege.com/teaching.