CUW Secondary Education - Social Studies (ONLINE)

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

Wisconsin licensure option

Through a blend of the social sciences, history, and humanities, you’ll learn to guide your students through a myriad of perspectives and social structures, and be able to adapt such lessons for the next generation of thinkers.  Perhaps most importantly, you’ll understand how to help your students discover how people relate to each other, how we interact as groups, and how we organize our thoughts, religions, and governments. With a foundation in social studies, your students will be able to understand the world around them, and their place in it.

You can make a difference in the lives of children; you can become a teacher by earning your bachelor's in secondary education and teaching license online. The Accelerated Secondary Education - Social Studies licensure program is a fully online bachelor's in education leading to a Wisconsin license to teach grades 4 through 12. The accelerated courses can be scheduled to complete this program in 3 years or at the pace you prefer.

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. 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 

Undergraduate Core Requirements - Public Education44
Public Education Major70
Public Education Electives6
Undergraduate Core Requirements - Lutheran Teacher Diploma47
Lutheran Teacher Diploma Major76
Total Hours - Public Education120
Total Hours - Lutheran Teacher Diploma or Christian Teacher Certificate123

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

Social Studies Education Curriculum - 70 - 76 credits

Theoretical and Practical Component - 15 credits
ED 1230Nature of the Exceptional Child3
ED 1275Human Learning3
ED 4340The Art and Science of Assessment and Instruction 13
ED 4373Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Social Studies - Secondary 1,23
ED 4411The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 13
Social Studies Component - 33 credits
ECON 2000Principles of Economics3
PSY 1010General Psychology3
HIST 1610World Civilizations I3
HIST 1615World Civilizations II3
HIST 2240The American Federal System3
or POLS 2010 American Government
HIST 3200Early America:1492-18003
HIST 3210American Republic: 1800-18603
HIST 3220Indus America:1865-19203
HIST 3230United States as a World Power: 1920-Present3
HIST 3850Historical Methods3
HIST 4800History Capstone3
Clinicals and Student Teaching Component - 22 credits
ED 4501Field Experience 13
ED 4502Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 13
ED 4507Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 2 1, 23
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester)
ED 4414Portfolio Completion-Secondary 11
ED 4452Secondary Education Student Teaching 112
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
A Survey of Christian Thought
Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church
Lutheran Confessions
Christian Apologetics
Christ and Culture
1

Course Requires Upper Division Status.

2

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

Curriculum 

Undergraduate Core Requirements - Non-Licensable Education44
Non-Licensable Education Major70
Non-Licensable Education Electives6
Non-Licensable Undergraduate Core Requirements - Lutheran Teacher Diploma47
Non-Licensable Lutheran Teacher Diploma Major76
Total Hours - Non-Licensable Education120
Total Hours - Non-Licensable Lutheran Teacher Diploma or Christian Teacher Certificate123

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

Social Studies Education Curriculum - 70 - 76 credits

Theoretical and Practical Component - 15 credits
ED 1230Nature of the Exceptional Child3
ED 1275Human Learning3
ED 4340The Art and Science of Assessment and Instruction 13
ED 4373Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Social Studies - Secondary 1,23
ED 4411The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 13
Social Studies Component - 33 credits
ECON 2000Principles of Economics3
PSY 1010General Psychology3
HIST 1610World Civilizations I3
HIST 1615World Civilizations II3
HIST 2240The American Federal System3
or POLS 2010 American Government
HIST 3200Early America:1492-18003
HIST 3210American Republic: 1800-18603
HIST 3220Indus America:1865-19203
HIST 3230United States as a World Power: 1920-Present3
HIST 3850Historical Methods3
HIST 4800History Capstone3
Clinicals and Student Teaching Component - 22 credits
ED 4501Field Experience 13
ED 4502Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 13
ED 4507Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 2 1, 23
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester)
ED 4414Portfolio Completion-Secondary 11
ED 4452Secondary Education Student Teaching12
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
A Survey of Christian Thought
Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church
Lutheran Confessions
Christian Apologetics
Christ and Culture
1

Course Requires Upper Division Status.

2

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

Plan

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
ED 1102 Foundations of Education 3
ENG 2100 College Writing 3
 Hours6
Semester 2
ED 1275 Human Learning 3
ART 1000
Basic Art Experience
or Creative Arts: Music
3
HIST 3200 Early America:1492-1800 3
ED 4501 Field Experience 1 3
CCE 1040 Science & Humanity 3
 Hours15
Semester 3
ED 1230 Nature of the Exceptional Child 3
MATH 1190 Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 3
ED 1103 Human Relations for Teachers 3
HIST 1615 World Civilizations II 3
ED 4502 Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 1 3
 Hours15
Semester 4
CCE 1020 Western Culture & Worldview 3
REL 1000 The Bible 3
ECON 2000 Principles of Economics 3
HHP 1115 Fit and Well 2
 Hours11
Semester 5
COMM 2100 Interpersonal Communication 3
ENV 1050 Introduction to Environmental Science 3
HIST 1610 World Civilizations I 3
HIST 3210 American Republic: 1800-1860 3
HIST 2240 The American Federal System 3
 Hours15
Semester 6
HIST 3220 Indus America:1865-1920 3
CCE 1030 Western Thought & Worldview 3
HIST 3230 United States as a World Power: 1920-Present 3
CCE 1010 Christian Citizen 3
HIST 3850 Historical Methods 3
 Hours15
Semester 7
PSY 1010 General Psychology 3
REL 1100 Christian Faith 3
HIST 4800 History Capstone 3
ED 4340 The Art and Science of Assessment and Instruction 3
ELECTIVE 3
 Hours15
Semester 8
ED 4373 Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Social Studies - Secondary 3
ED 4507 Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 2 3
REL ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
 Hours12
Semester 9
ED 4411 The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 3
ED 4414 Portfolio Completion-Secondary 1
ED 4452 Secondary Education Student Teaching 12
 Hours16
 Total Hours120

Course options and schedule are subject to change.