Accelerated Cross Categorical Special Education (Acc)

This program is offered in both a licensure and non-licensure option. 

Wisconsin licensure option

Our comprehensive program and experienced faculty will further develop your passion and skills to help K-12 students with intellectual, emotional, and learning disabilities reach their full academic potential. Learn how to identify students' strengths and weaknesses, assess their individual needs, and develop a trusting and productive learning environment for your students. Earn a degree in high-demand that will promise to be rewarding as you work to serve students and school communities.

Non-licensure option

Students in this option will not obtain a teaching license from the state of Wisconsin. This program is specifically designed for candidates residing outside of Wisconsin who wish to pursue a Concordia education in teaching but do not intend to obtain a Wisconsin teaching license. This option may be particularly appealing to those who are not Wisconsin residents but are interested in earning the Lutheran Teacher Diploma, which would make them eligible to receive a Call from a Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod school to serve as a church worker. This adaptation aligns with federal Department of Education regulations, which restrict out-of-state learners from enrolling in licensure programs outside their home state.

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 

Undergraduate Core Requirements - Public Education44
Public Education Major76
Undergraduate Core Requirements - Lutheran Teacher Diploma47
Lutheran Teacher Diploma Major82
Total Credits - Public Education 3120
Total Credits - Lutheran Teacher Diploma or Christian Teacher Certificate 3129

Core Curriculum - 44 - 47 Credits

Concordia Common Core

Theology - Public Education
REL 1000The Bible3
REL 1100Christian Faith3
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC)
REL 2010Old Testament3
REL 2020New Testament3
REL 2030Biblical Theology3
CCE 1020Western Culture & Worldview3
CCE 1030Western Thought & Worldview3
CCE 1040Science & Humanity3
Liberal Arts Dimensions
ENG 2100College Writing3
Communication or Language course3
Faith and Life Elective3
ED 1102Foundations of Education3
HHP 1115Fit and Well2
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course3
MATH 1190Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-93
ENV 1050Introduction to Environmental Science3
ED 1103Human Relations for Teachers3
Society & Culture elective3

Cross Categorical Special Education Curriculum - 76 - 82 credits

Theoretical Component
ED 1230Nature of the Exceptional Child3
ED 1275Human Learning3
ED 4411The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 13
Practical Component: Regular Education
ED 2204The Art & Science of Teaching Reading3
ED 2432Teaching Writing: Grades 4-123
ED 3401Instruction & Assessment of Reading3
ED 4307Curriculum and Methods in Language Arts and Social Studies 1, 23
ED 4308Curriculum and Methods in STEM 1, 23
MATH 1200Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-93
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 Disabilities3
ED 3450Instruction and Transition for Adolescents with Disabilities3
ED 3457Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities3
ED 4479Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 13
ED 4485Special Education Law and IEPs 13
Clinical Field Work Component
ED 4501Clinical Field Experience 13
ED 4502Clinical Field Experience 23
ED 4503Clinical Field Experience 33
ED 4504Clinical Field Experience 41
ED 4505Clinical Field Experience 51
ED 4506Clinical Field Experience 61
ED 4508Clinical Field Experience Special Education 13
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester)
ED 4444
ED 4447
CCSE Student Teaching 1
and CCSE Student Teaching 2 1
12
ED 4449Portfolio Completion - Special Education 11
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
Select one of the following:3
REL 3500A Survey of Christian Thought3
REL 3860Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church3
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
PHIL 3250Christian Apologetics3
PHIL 3340Christ and Culture3
1

Course Requires Upper Division Status.

2

"The Block" classes are taken during the same semester.

3

Candidates select either the Public Education or Lutheran Teacher Diploma tracks for this program.

Curriculum 

Undergraduate Core Requirements - Non-Licensable Education44
Non-Licensable Education Major76
Non-Licensable Undergraduate Core Requirements - Lutheran Teacher Diploma47
Non-Licensable Lutheran Teacher Diploma Major82
Total Credits - Non-Licensable Education 3120
Total Credits - Non-Licensable Lutheran Teacher Diploma or Christian Teacher Certificate 3129

Core Curriculum - 44 - 47 Credits

Concordia Common Core

Theology - Public Education
REL 1000The Bible3
REL 1100Christian Faith3
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC)
REL 2010Old Testament3
REL 2020New Testament3
REL 2030Biblical Theology3
CCE 1020Western Culture & Worldview3
CCE 1030Western Thought & Worldview3
CCE 1040Science & Humanity3
Liberal Arts Dimensions
ENG 2100College Writing3
Communication or Language course3
Faith and Life Elective3
ED 1102Foundations of Education3
HHP 1115Fit and Well2
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course3
MATH 1190Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-93
ENV 1050Introduction to Environmental Science3
ED 1103Human Relations for Teachers3
Society & Culture elective3

Cross Categorical Special Education Curriculum - 76 - 82 credits

Theoretical Component
ED 1230Nature of the Exceptional Child3
ED 1275Human Learning3
ED 4411The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 13
Practical Component: Regular Education
ED 2204The Art & Science of Teaching Reading3
ED 2432Teaching Writing: Grades 4-123
ED 3401Instruction & Assessment of Reading3
ED 4307Curriculum and Methods in Language Arts and Social Studies 1, 23
ED 4308Curriculum and Methods in STEM 1, 23
MATH 1200Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-93
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 Disabilities3
ED 3450Instruction and Transition for Adolescents with Disabilities3
ED 3457Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities3
ED 4479Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 13
ED 4485Special Education Law and IEPs 13
Clinical Field Work Component
ED 4501Clinical Field Experience 13
ED 4502Clinical Field Experience 23
ED 4503Clinical Field Experience 33
ED 4504Clinical Field Experience 41
ED 4505Clinical Field Experience 51
ED 4506Clinical Field Experience 61
ED 4508Clinical Field Experience Special Education 13
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester)
ED 4444
ED 4447
CCSE Student Teaching 1
and CCSE Student Teaching 2 1
12
ED 4449Portfolio Completion - Special Education 11
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
Select one of the following:3
REL 3500A Survey of Christian Thought3
REL 3860Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church3
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
PHIL 3250Christian Apologetics3
PHIL 3340Christ and Culture3
1

Course Requires Upper Division Status.

2

"The Block" classes are taken during the same semester.

3

Candidates select either the Public Education or Lutheran Teacher Diploma tracks for this program.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
ED 1102 Foundations of Education 3
CCE 1010 Christian Citizen 3
 Hours6
Semester 2
ENG 2100 College Writing 3
REL 1000 The Bible 3
ED 1230 Nature of the Exceptional Child 3
CCE 1030 Western Thought & Worldview 3
ED 4501 Clinical Field Experience 1 3
 Hours15
Semester 3
ED 2327 Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society 3
MATH 1190 Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 3
ED 1103 Human Relations for Teachers 3
MATH 1200 Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 3
ED 4502 Clinical Field Experience 2 3
 Hours15
Semester 4
ED 2432 Teaching Writing: Grades 4-12 3
REL 1100 Christian Faith 3
ED 2484 Educational and Behavioral Management in Special Education 3
HHP 1115 Fit and Well 2
 Hours11
Semester 5
HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION 3
ENV 1050 Introduction to Environmental Science 3
FAITH & LIFE 3
ED 1275 Human Learning 3
ED 4503 Clinical Field Experience 3 3
 Hours15
Semester 6
ED 4504 Clinical Field Experience 4 1
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE 3
CCE 1020 Western Culture & Worldview 3
ED 3328 Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities 3
ED 2204 The Art & Science of Teaching Reading 3
ED 4505 Clinical Field Experience 5 1
 Hours14
Semester 7
ED 4506 Clinical Field Experience 6 1
ED 3401 Instruction & Assessment of Reading 3
ED 3450 Instruction and Transition for Adolescents with Disabilities 3
ED 4485 Special Education Law and IEPs 3
CCE 1040 Science & Humanity 3
 Hours13
Semester 8
ED 4307 Curriculum and Methods in Language Arts and Social Studies 3
ED 4308 Curriculum and Methods in STEM 3
ED 4479 Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 3
ED 3457 Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities 3
ED 4508 Clinical Field Experience Special Education 3
 Hours15
Semester 9
ED 4411 The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 3
ED 4449 Portfolio Completion - Special Education 1
ED 4444 CCSE Student Teaching 1 6
ED 4447 CCSE Student Teaching 2 6
 Hours16
 Total Hours120

Course options and schedule are subject to change.