Accelerated Cross Categorical Special Education (Acc)
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.
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
| 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 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 140 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| CCE 110 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 120 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions | ||
| ENG 210 | College Writing | 3 |
| Communication or Language course | 3 | |
| Faith and Life Elective | 3 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| HHP 215 | Fit & Well | 2 |
| Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
| MATH 119 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| SCI 175 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 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 4307 | Curriculum and Methods in Language Arts and Social Studies 1, 2 | 3 |
| ED 4308 | Curriculum and Methods in STEM 1, 2 | 3 |
| MATH 120 | 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 | Clinical Field Experience 1 | 3 |
| ED 4502 | Clinical Field Experience 2 | 3 |
| ED 4503 | Clinical Field Experience 3 | 3 |
| ED 4504 | Clinical Field Experience 4 | 1 |
| ED 4505 | Clinical Field Experience 5 | 1 |
| ED 4506 | Clinical Field Experience 6 | 1 |
| ED 4508 | Clinical Field Experience Special Education 1 | 3 |
| 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 4449 | Portfolio Completion - Special Education 1 | 1 |
| 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 | ||
- 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.