Online - All of the program courses are online. Practicums (in-classroom experience) and student teaching (leading a classroom as a student teacher) must be done in-person at a school.
Accelerated format - Students take three successive 8-week sessions within each semester. Students that want to complete the program in three years will need to take two courses at the same time during an 8-week session. This would be a total of six credits as each course is three credits. The first seven weeks of a course are content-heavy, and the eighth week is designed for you to complete your practicum, or as a low-volume week before the next courses kick off.
Courses - Curriculum was developed in view of the traditional undergraduate program. Within coursework, there are highly-collaborative education courses. There are also non-education courses such as math, science, communications, English, etc. These courses are more self-paced.
Start dates - You have the opportunity to begin this program at the start of any 8-week session once you are accepted. Students begin with the Foundations of Education course.
Field experiences in schools -Over the semester students have clinical experiences. Semesters one through five have required field experiences. You will participate in a minimum of two, multi-week pre-student teaching experiences. Some teaching programs will require additional pre-student teaching experiences beyond the minimum. The final year of the program has more leadership classroom experience with the final semester being student teaching.
A background check is required at the beginning of field experiences and also prior to student teaching. Students need to have a cooperating teacher in a regular school and the teacher needs a valid teaching license, at least 3 years experience, and been in their current building for a year. Concordia is happy to discuss practicum and field work with you
License - This program leads to Wisconsin teaching licensure in K-9th grade. Applicants from out-of-state should check with their departments of education to see how courses translate to other states. Concordia will help you with a program course review.
Credit opportunities - Students may transfer up to 84 credits. Applicants may apply for life and work experience credit toward practicum coursework up to six credits.
LTD opportunity - Do you want to get your Lutheran Teacher Diploma? You can take an additional nine credits of theology and education courses to qualify.
Financial opportunity - Uncommon scholarships are available. The TEACH grant qualifies. This program is offered at the accelerated tuition rate.
Add on licenses - Once you complete our program, you are eligible to engage in opportunities for any of the add-on licenses listed below: