The School of Education equips and inspires Christian servant leaders to pursue integrity and excellence in the delivery of educational services within professional and lifelong learning throughout the world.

Teacher Education Programs

Lutheran Teaching Ministry - Wisconsin Public Education

Concordia University offers strong programs for preparing teachers for Lutheran, public, and private education. All teacher education programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Successful completion of one of Concordia’s teacher education programs enables graduates to be eligible for a Wisconsin teaching license. Students who are members of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and are preparing for the teaching ministry of the LCMS will receive a Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD). In addition, Concordia offers a Christian Teacher Certification (CTC) program which prepares individuals for a teaching ministry in a Christian or public school setting.

Programs are available leading to licensure in:

• Early Childhood and Elementary Education Dual Major (Birth to Grade 9)
• Early Childhood Regular and Special Education (Birth to Grade 3)
• Elementary/Middle Education Grades 4K-9
• Elementary/Middle Regular Education and Cross-Categorical Special Education
• Secondary Education Grades 4 -12
• Cross-Categorical Special Education Grades 4K-12
• K-12 education in certain subject areas

The Secondary Education program requires a licensable subject area major. The Elementary /Middle School program recommends an additional subject area concentration, minor, or a dual major. K-12 programs are available in:

• Art Education
• Business Education
• Music Education
• Physical Education
• Spanish

Undergraduate admission is processed through the Admissions Department. For individuals who have already completed a baccalaureate degree, a program leading to licensure in one of the above areas is also available. Students who have acquired a Bachelors’ degree and now want to earn a Wisconsin license must contact the Graduate Teacher Certification Office.

For full and complete program details, please consult the School of Education Handbook.

K-9 English Education Concentration

K-9 Mathematics Education Concentration

K-9 STEM Education Concentration

K-9 Social Studies Education

Special Education Concentration

Wisconsin Licensure

To successfully complete the teacher education program and be recommended for a Wisconsin teaching license, the undergraduate candidate must have:

1. Met the university credit requirements
   1. Minimum of 120 college credits
   2. Minimum of 36 credits at Concordia University Wisconsin
   3. Minimum of 20 education credits at Concordia University Wisconsin
2. Earned a minimum of 2.75 GPA for all college credits
3. Met course requirements for the appropriate education program
4. Received full upper division status
5. Met all Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requirements
6. Been recommended by the Education Division faculty to receive the appropriate teaching license
7. Passed required content test(s) (Praxis II, Wisconsin NES/Reading Foundations Test, and/or or Language Testing International) for teaching major(s) (early childhood education, elementary/middle school education, subject areas for secondary and K-12 education) as well as licensable minor(s) when applicable
8. Passed required edTPA
9. Taken the required theology courses and received the recommendation of the Concordia University faculty for teaching in schools of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (if Lutheran Education emphasis)

Application to the School of Education

Students must apply for initial admission to the School of Education. Application to the School of Education typically occurs after the successful completion of ED 1102 Foundations of EducationFoundations of Education . Students who wish to be admitted to the School of Education shall meet the following requirements:

1. Successfully completed ED 1102 Foundations of EducationFoundations of Education
2. Successful completion of Portfolio I (interview and electronic portfolio meet required benchmarks)
3. 2.25 GPA or higher
4. Successfully completed ED 1000
5. Recommended by faculty advisor
6. Criminal background check
7. Submitted School of Education Admission application to the School of Education

Application for Entry into the Teacher Education Program (Upper Division Status)

Since education is a demanding profession in regard to talents, personality, knowledge, teaching skills, and Christian example, it is important that only the most highly qualified students, who demonstrate the highest potential for professional success, be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. For these reasons, the following criteria have been established to receive Upper Division Status and acceptance into the program (Application is generally made in the second semester of the sophomore year.)

1. Successful completion of a minimum of 45 semester hours of credit
2. GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
3. Successful completion of basic skills requirements
4. Successful completion of initial clinical experiences
5. Successful completion of Portfolio I and II
6. Successful completion of ED 1000 and ED 2000
    
7. Confidential background verification form with criminal background check
8. Submission of completed UDS Application Form

NOTE: To maintain Upper Division Status, a student must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA In addition, a GPA of 2.75 is required for both student teaching and a Wisconsin Teaching License.

NOTE: Check with the Education Office for timely information on additional requirements for completing the Wisconsin teacher license program.

Acceptance Procedure:

1. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance into the program will be made by email.
2. A copy of this letter is filed in the applicant’s file in the School of Education Office.