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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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

Core Requirements 148-51
Major Requirements80-87
Electives
Minor or Concentration: Optional
Total Hours128-138
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

Theology - Public Education
REL 1000The Bible3
REL 1100Christian Faith3
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC)
REL 2010Old Testament3
REL 2020New Testament3
REL 2030Biblical Theology3
CCE 1010Christian Citizen3
CCE 1020Western Culture & Worldview3
CCE 1030Western Thought & Worldview3
CCE 1040Science & Humanity3
Liberal Arts Dimensions - 30 Credits
ENG 1040Introduction to Writing3
Communication and Language Elective3
Faith and Life Elective: Any course with REL prefix above REL 20303
ED 1102Foundations of Education3
HHP 1100Stewardship of the Body1
HHP Activity Course 1
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course3
MATH 1190Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-93
MATH 1200Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-93
SCI 1100Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences4
ED 1103Human Relations for Teachers3
Note: Two CUW - approved writing intensive courses are required for graduation.

Elementary/Special Education Curriculum 

Required Courses
Theoretical Component
ED 1230Nature of the Exceptional Child3
ED 1231Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy3
ED 1275Human Learning3
ED 4411The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 23
Experiential and Seminar Components (pass/fail)
ED 1000Orientation Seminar0
ED 2000UDS Seminar0
ED 3000Student Teaching Seminar0
Practical Component: Regular Education
ED 2204The Art & Science of Teaching Reading3
ED 2348Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood3
ED 2358Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 32
or ED 2432 Teaching Writing: Grades 4-12
ED 3401Instruction & Assessment of Reading 23
"THE BLOCK" - Take these courses during the same semester.
ED 4301Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 22
ED 4303Language Arts Methods 23
ED 4304Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 23
ED 4305Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 23
ED 4306Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 23
Practical Component: Special Education
ED 2327Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society3
ED 2484Educational and Behavioral Management in Special Education3
ED 3328Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities 23
ED 3438Transition and Collaboration for Adolescents with Disabilities 23
ED 3452Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Youth 23
ED 3455Legal Issues in Special Education 23
ED 3457Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities 23
ED 4454Curriculum, Methods, & Pre-Student Teaching for CCSE/ECSE 24
ED 4479Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 23
ED 4487Implementation Strategies in Special Education 22
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester)
ED 4421Elementary Student Teaching 26
ED 4412Portfolio Completion - Elementary 21
ED 4444Special Education Student Teaching6
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Education Requirements
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours18
Semester 3
ED 1231 Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy 3
 Hours3
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
 Hours17
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
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
 Hours17
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
 Hours18
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
 Hours18
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
 Hours17
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
 Hours13
 Total Hours137

Course options and schedule are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours18
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
 Hours17
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
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
 Hours17
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours17
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
 Hours13
 Total Hours128

Course options and schedule are subject to change.