Elementary/Middle Regular and Cross-Categorical Special Education Dual Certificate Program (M)
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.
The dual certification in Elementary Education (Grades 4K-9) and Cross Categorical Special Education (Grades 4K-12) 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
- Pupil Development. The teacher understands how pupils grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. The teacher designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences for pupils.
- Learning Differences. The teacher uses his or her understanding of individual pupil differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each pupil to meet high standards.
- 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.
- Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of each discipline he or she teaches. The teacher creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for pupils to assure mastery of the content.
- Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage pupils in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
- Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage pupils in their own growth, to monitor pupil progress, and to guide the teacher’s and pupil’s decision making.
- Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every pupil in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, pedagogy, pupils, and pupils’ communities.
- Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage pupils to develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to develop skills to apply knowledge in a meaningful way.
- Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning. The teacher uses evidence to continuously evaluate the teacher’s practice, including the effects of the teacher’s choices and actions on pupils, their families, other educators, and the community. The teacher adapts the teacher’s practice to meet the needs of each pupil.
- Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunity in order to take responsibility for pupil learning, to collaborate with pupils, their families, educators, and the community, and to advance the profession.
- CUW Faith Standard: Educators model Christian servant leadership by demonstrating consistent moral and ethical behavior, inspiring others by example in their personal, professional, and community lives. In Christian schools, teachers integrate faith and learning, embodying a biblical worldview while fostering a value system that emphasizes character, mission, and service. Teacher candidates seeking the Lutheran Teacher Diploma adhere to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Curriculum
Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements 1 | 48-51 | |
Major Requirements | 80-87 | |
Electives | ||
Minor or Concentration: Optional | ||
Total Hours | 128-138 |
- 1
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 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC) | ||
REL 2010 | Old Testament | 3 |
REL 2020 | New Testament | 3 |
REL 2030 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
Liberal Arts Dimensions - 30 Credits | ||
ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
Communication and Language Elective | 3 | |
Faith and Life Elective: Any course with REL prefix above REL 2030 | 3 | |
ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
HHP Activity Course | 1 | |
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
MATH 1190 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
MATH 1200 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
SCI 1100 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences | 4 |
ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
Note: Two CUW - approved writing intensive courses are required for graduation. |
Elementary/Special Education Curriculum
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
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 |
Experiential and Seminar Components (pass/fail) | ||
ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar | 0 |
Practical Component: Regular Education | ||
ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
ED 2348 | Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood | 3 |
ED 2358 | Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 | 2 |
or ED 2432 | Teaching Writing: Grades 4-12 | |
ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading 2 | 3 |
"THE BLOCK" - Take these courses during the same semester. | ||
ED 4301 | Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2 | 2 |
ED 4303 | Language Arts Methods 2 | 3 |
ED 4304 | Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 2 | 3 |
ED 4305 | Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 2 | 3 |
ED 4306 | Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 2 | 3 |
Practical Component: Special Education | ||
ED 2327 | Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society | 3 |
ED 2484 | Educational and Behavioral Management in Special Education | 3 |
ED 3328 | Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities 2 | 3 |
ED 3438 | Transition and Collaboration for Adolescents with Disabilities 2 | 3 |
ED 3452 | Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Youth 2 | 3 |
ED 3455 | Legal Issues in Special Education 2 | 3 |
ED 3457 | Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities 2 | 3 |
ED 4454 | Curriculum, Methods, & Pre-Student Teaching for CCSE/ECSE 2 | 4 |
ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 2 | 3 |
ED 4487 | Implementation Strategies in Special Education 2 | 2 |
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester) | ||
ED 4421 | Elementary Student Teaching 2 | 6 |
ED 4412 | Portfolio Completion - Elementary 2 | 1 |
ED 4444 | Special Education Student Teaching | 6 |
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Education Requirements | ||
REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
A Survey of Christian Thought | ||
Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church | ||
Christian Apologetics | ||
Christ and Culture |
- 2
Course Requires Upper Division Status.
Semester 1 | Hours | |
---|---|---|
ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
REL 2010 | Old Testament | 3 |
HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
Hours | 16 | |
Semester 2 | ||
ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE | 3 | |
CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
REL 2020 | New Testament | 3 |
MATH 1190 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
Hours | 18 | |
Semester 3 | ||
ED 1231 | Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy | 3 |
Hours | 3 | |
Semester 4 | ||
SCI 1100 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences | 4 |
ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
HHP ACTIVITY | 1 | |
FAITH & LIFE | 3 | |
MATH 1200 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Semester 5 | ||
HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION | 3 | |
ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
ED 2358 or ED 2432 |
Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 or Teaching Writing: Grades 4-12 |
2 |
ED 2327 | Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society | 3 |
ED 2484 | Educational and Behavioral Management in Special Education | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Semester 6 | ||
ED 3457 | Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities 2 | 3 |
ED 3455 | Legal Issues in Special Education 2 | 3 |
ED 3328 | Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities | 3 |
ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading 2 | 3 |
ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 2 | 3 |
REL 2030 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
Hours | 18 | |
Semester 7 | ||
ED 2348 | Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood | 3 |
ED 3438 | Transition and Collaboration for Adolescents with Disabilities 2 | 3 |
ED 4454 | Curriculum, Methods, & Pre-Student Teaching for CCSE/ECSE 2 | 4 |
ED 4487 | Implementation Strategies in Special Education 2 | 2 |
ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 2 | 3 |
REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
Hours | 18 | |
Semester 8 | ||
ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar 2 | 0 |
ED 4301 | Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2 | 2 |
ED 4303 | Language Arts Methods 2 | 3 |
ED 4304 | Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 2 | 3 |
ED 4305 | Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 2 | 3 |
ED 4306 | Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 2 | 3 |
ED 3452 | Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Youth 2 | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Semester 9 | ||
ED 4421 | Elementary Student Teaching 2 | 6 |
ED 4453 | Cross Categorical Special Education Student Teaching 2 | 6 |
ED 4412 | Portfolio Completion - Elementary 2 | 1 |
Hours | 13 | |
Total Hours | 137 |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.
Semester 1 | Hours | |
---|---|---|
ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
MATH 1190 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
Hours | 16 | |
Semester 2 | ||
HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION | 3 | |
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE | 3 | |
CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
MATH 1200 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
Hours | 18 | |
Semester 3 | ||
SCI 1100 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences | 4 |
ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
HHP ACTIVITY | 1 | |
ED 1231 | Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy | 3 |
REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Semester 4 | ||
ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
FAITH & LIFE | 3 | |
ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
ED 2358 or ED 2432 |
Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 or Teaching Writing: Grades 4-12 |
2 |
ED 2327 | Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society | 3 |
ED 2484 | Educational and Behavioral Management in Special Education | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Semester 5 | ||
ED 3457 | Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities 2 | 3 |
ED 3455 | Legal Issues in Special Education 2 | 3 |
ED 3328 | Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities | 3 |
ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading 2 | 3 |
ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 2 | 3 |
Hours | 15 | |
Semester 6 | ||
ED 2348 | Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood | 3 |
ED 3438 | Transition and Collaboration for Adolescents with Disabilities 2 | 3 |
ED 4454 | Curriculum, Methods, & Pre-Student Teaching for CCSE/ECSE 2 | 4 |
ED 4487 | Implementation Strategies in Special Education 2 | 2 |
ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 2 | 3 |
Hours | 15 | |
Semester 7 | ||
ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar 2 | 0 |
ED 3452 | Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Youth 2 | 3 |
ED 4301 | Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2 | 2 |
ED 4303 | Language Arts Methods 2 | 3 |
ED 4304 | Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 2 | 3 |
ED 4305 | Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 2 | 3 |
ED 4306 | Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 2 | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Semester 8 | ||
ED 4421 | Elementary Student Teaching 2 | 6 |
ED 4453 | Cross Categorical Special Education Student Teaching 2 | 6 |
ED 4412 | Portfolio Completion - Elementary 2 | 1 |
Hours | 13 | |
Total Hours | 128 |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.