Early Childhood Regular and Special Education Dual Certification Program (M)
There are several aspects of our Early Childhood and Special Education dual major that are truly unique to CUW. In addition to the 121-credit requirement for public education majors, your studies in special education at CUW include a solid liberal arts foundation, a Christian emphasis, specialized coursework, and ample field experiences working alongside children with disabilities. Along with your dual major in Early Childhood and Special Education, we also offer a variety of minors, concentrations, and certificates, including an Urban Education concentration or our Compassion Care Certificate, which includes work with our Compassion Care and Comfort Dogs. Concordia offers a Lutheran Teacher Diploma for members of LCMS congregations who wish to teach in Lutheran schools and Christian Education Certification for members of other Christian churches who wish to teach in Christian schools. Thanks to our enhanced program, most students graduate in 4 years, and 99+ percent of them find jobs immediately.
The dual certification in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth through age 8) major allows you to apply for two teaching licenses with the Wisconsin department of public instruction. CUW’s special education department also sponsors organizations like Best Buddies to promote a greater understanding of disabilities throughout our campus community. In whatever discipline you decide, you’ll start with an open heart and mind, and leave more prepared than ever to enrich the lives of children with disabilities in any school setting.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. 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 (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge)
2. Learning Differences : The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards. (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge)
3. 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. (Teaching Practice, Human Relations)
4. Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content. (Content Knowledge)
5. 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.
6. Assessment Strategies: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)
7. 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. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)
8. 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. (Pedagogical Knowledge, Communication Skills, Teaching Practice)
9. 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), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
10. Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
11. Character/Faith Development: All teachers model a value system which emphasizes moral and ethical character. Teachers in Christian schools integrate faith and learning while modeling Christian mission and service with a biblical worldview. Lutheran teachers adhere to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. (Human Relations, Professional Dispositions, Content Knowledge)
Curriculum
Birth to Age 8
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 1 | 48-51 | |
| Major Requirements | 73-79 | |
| Electives | ||
Minor: Optional | ||
| Total Hours | 121-130 | |
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For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.
NOTE: Check with the Chair of the Special Education Department for possible changes in this major
Core Curriculum - 48-51 Credits
Concordia Common Core - 18-21 Credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theology - Public Education | ||
| REL 100 | The Bible | 3 |
| REL 110 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC) | ||
| REL 201 | Old Testament | 3 |
| REL 203 | New Testament | 3 |
| REL 204 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CCE 130 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| CCE 140 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| CCE 110 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 120 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions - 30 Credits | ||
| ENG 104 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| Communication and Language Elective | 3 | |
| Faith and Life Elective: Any course with REL prefix other than REL 100, 110, 201, 203, 204 | 3 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| HHP 100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| HHP Activity Course | 1 | |
| Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
| MATH 119 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| MATH 120 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| SCI 110 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences (or Life Science or Physical Science with at least one lab) | 4 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| Note: Two CUW - approved writing intensive courses are required for graduation. | ||
Early Childhood Regular/Special Education Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Regular/Special Education Curriculum | ||
| Theoretical Component | ||
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED 1231 | Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy | 3 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 2 | 3 |
| Education Seminars and Seminar Components (pass/fail) | ||
| ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
| ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
| ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar | 0 |
| ED 1211 | Discovery Clinical | 0 |
| ED 1212 | Cultural Clinical | 0 |
| ED 1213 | Special Education Clinical | 0 |
| Practical Component: Regular Education | ||
| ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
| ED 3356 | STEM: Math in Early Childhood 2 | 2 |
| ED 3357 | STEM: Science and Environment in Early Childhood 2 | 2 |
| ED 2358 | Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 | 2 |
| ED 3359 | Curriculum and Techniques in Early Childhood 2 | 4 |
| ED 3400 | Creativity in Early Childhood 2 | 2 |
| ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading 2 | 3 |
| ED 2466 | Health, Safety, and Fitness for the Young Child | 3 |
| ED 4478 | Preschool Practicum and Synthesis 2 | 3 |
| Practical Component: Special Education | ||
| ED 2327 | Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ED 3328 | Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities 2 | 3 |
| ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 2 | 3 |
| ED 4454 | Curriculum, Methods, & Practicum for CCSE/ECSE 2 | 4 |
| ED 3455 | Legal Issues in Special Education 2 | 3 |
| ED 3457 | Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities 2 | 3 |
| ED 2484 | Educational and Behavioral Management in Special Education | 3 |
| ED 4487 | Implementation Strategies in Special Education 2 | 2 |
| Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester) | ||
| ED 4449 | Portfolio Completion - Special Education 2 | 1 |
| ED 4425 | Early Childhood Student Teaching 2 | 6 |
| ED 4442 | ECSE Student Teaching 2 | 6 |
| Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| REL 404 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Lutheran Confessions | ||
| Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church | ||
| A Survey of Christian Thought | ||
| Christian Apologetics | ||
| Christ and Culture | ||
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Course requires upper division status