CUW Cross Categorical Special Education (ONLINE)
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
- 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Core Requirements - Public Education | 44 | |
| Public Education Major | 76 | |
| Undergraduate Core Requirements - Lutheran Teacher Diploma | 47 | |
| Lutheran Teacher Diploma Major | 82 | |
| Total Credits - Public Education 3 | 120 | |
| Total Credits - Lutheran Teacher Diploma or Christian Teacher Certificate 3 | 129 | |
Core Curriculum - 44 - 47 Credits
Concordia Common Core
| 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 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions | ||
| ENG 2100 | College Writing | 3 |
| Communication or Language course | 3 | |
| Faith and Life Elective | 3 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| HHP 1115 | Fit and Well | 2 |
| Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
| MATH 1190 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| ENV 1050 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| Society & Culture elective | 3 | |
Cross Categorical Special Education Curriculum - 76 - 82 credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Component | ||
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 1 | 3 |
| Practical Component: Regular Education | ||
| ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
| ED 2432 | Teaching Writing: Grades 4-12 | 3 |
| ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| ED 4321 | The Art and Science of Teaching Language Arts | 2 |
| ED 4322 | The Art and Science of Teaching Social Studies | 1 |
| ED 4323 | The Art and Science of Teaching Mathematics | 2 |
| ED 4324 | The Art and Science of Teaching Science | 1 |
| MATH 1200 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 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 | 3 |
| ED 3450 | Instruction and Transition for Adolescents with Disabilities | 3 |
| ED 3457 | Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities | 3 |
| ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 1 | 3 |
| ED 4485 | Special Education Law and IEPs 1 | 3 |
| Clinical Field Work Component | ||
| ED 4501 | Field Experience 1 | 3 |
| ED 4502 | Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 1 | 3 |
| ED 4503 | Field Experience 2 | 3 |
| ED 4504 | Field Experience 3 | 1 |
| ED 4505 | Field Experience 4 | 1 |
| ED 4506 | Field Experience 5 | 1 |
| ED 4508 | Special Education Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 2 1 | 3 |
| Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester) | ||
| ED 4453 | Cross Categorical Special Education Student Teaching 1 | 12 |
| ED 4449 | Portfolio Completion - Special Education 1 | 1 |
| Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| REL 3500 | A Survey of Christian Thought | 3 |
| REL 3860 | Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| PHIL 3250 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| PHIL 3340 | Christ and Culture | 3 |
- 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Core Requirements - Non-Licensable Education | 44 | |
| Non-Licensable Education Major | 76 | |
| Non-Licensable Undergraduate Core Requirements - Lutheran Teacher Diploma | 47 | |
| Non-Licensable Lutheran Teacher Diploma Major | 82 | |
| Total Credits - Non-Licensable Education 3 | 120 | |
| Total Credits - Non-Licensable Lutheran Teacher Diploma or Christian Teacher Certificate 3 | 129 | |
Core Curriculum - 44 - 47 Credits
Concordia Common Core
| 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 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions | ||
| ENG 2100 | College Writing | 3 |
| Communication or Language course | 3 | |
| Faith and Life Elective | 3 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| HHP 1115 | Fit and Well | 2 |
| Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
| MATH 1190 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| ENV 1050 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| Society & Culture elective | 3 | |
Cross Categorical Special Education Curriculum - 76 - 82 credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Component | ||
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 1 | 3 |
| Practical Component: Regular Education | ||
| ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
| ED 2432 | Teaching Writing: Grades 4-12 | 3 |
| ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| ED 4321 | The Art and Science of Teaching Language Arts | 2 |
| ED 4322 | The Art and Science of Teaching Social Studies | 1 |
| ED 4323 | The Art and Science of Teaching Mathematics | 2 |
| ED 4324 | The Art and Science of Teaching Science | 1 |
| MATH 1200 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 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 | 3 |
| ED 3450 | Instruction and Transition for Adolescents with Disabilities | 3 |
| ED 3457 | Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities | 3 |
| ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 1 | 3 |
| ED 4485 | Special Education Law and IEPs 1 | 3 |
| Clinical Field Work Component | ||
| ED 4501 | Field Experience 1 | 3 |
| ED 4502 | Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 1 | 3 |
| ED 4503 | Field Experience 2 | 3 |
| ED 4504 | Field Experience 3 | 1 |
| ED 4505 | Field Experience 4 | 1 |
| ED 4506 | Field Experience 5 | 1 |
| ED 4508 | Special Education Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 2 1 | 3 |
| Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester) | ||
| ED 4453 | Cross Categorical Special Education Student Teaching | 12 |
| ED 4449 | Portfolio Completion - Special Education 1 | 1 |
| Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| REL 3500 | A Survey of Christian Thought | 3 |
| REL 3860 | Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| PHIL 3250 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| PHIL 3340 | Christ and Culture | 3 |
- 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
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| 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 | Field Experience 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 | Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION | 3 | |
| ENV 1050 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| FAITH & LIFE | 3 | |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| ED 4503 | Field Experience 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| ED 4504 | Field Experience 3 | 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 | Field Experience 4 | 1 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| ED 4506 | Field Experience 5 | 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 |
| HHP 1115 | Fit and Well | 2 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| ED 4321 | The Art and Science of Teaching Language Arts | 2 |
| ED 4322 | The Art and Science of Teaching Social Studies | 1 |
| ED 4323 | The Art and Science of Teaching Mathematics | 2 |
| ED 4324 | The Art and Science of Teaching Science | 1 |
| ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| ED 3457 | Curricular Adaptations for Learners with Disabilities | 3 |
| ED 4508 | Special Education Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 9 | ||
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching | 3 |
| ED 4449 | Portfolio Completion - Special Education | 1 |
| ED 4453 | Cross Categorical Special Education Student Teaching | 12 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.