Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Cross Categorical Special Education

This accelerated program begins new groups in early January and early July of each year. Applications are reviewed until about 2 weeks before the start date.

Steps for program admission:

1. Submit your accelerated online application by selecting “Cross Categorical Special Education - Bachelor's Degree" as the academic program.
2. We help guide you through: You will receive communication from your helpful Admission Counselor about next steps, entrance requirements, and how to submit supplemental materials.
3. Review entrance requirements and submit admissions pieces:
   2. Cumulative undergrad GPA of 2.75 for full acceptance. *If GPA lower than 2.75, students must meet with Dr. Adam Paape, Program Director to discuss GPA and the GPA requirements for student teaching and standardized exams information.
   3. Official transcripts
   4. Any other necessary application materials
4. Acceptance! When your application file is complete, it will be reviewed by the department and you will be notified of entrance status.
5. Fill out application for Uncommon Scholarship if you qualify.
6. Once in the program: Students are required to do a background check upon acceptance to begin the practicum in semester 1. Students will be given the information for the background check upon acceptance.

Online - All of the program courses are online. Clinical field experiences (in-classroom experience) and student teaching (leading a classroom as a student teacher) must be done in-person at a school.

Accelerated format - The Accelerated Special Education (ASPED) Program is designed to be  completed in 3 years, if a student starts with zero credits. The ASPED program requires clinical field experiences during semesters 1-5. And the program also requires student teaching during semester 6.

Courses - Curriculum was developed in view of the traditional undergraduate program. Within coursework, there are highly-collaborative education courses. There are also non-education courses such as math, science, communication, English, religion, etc. These courses are more self-paced.

Start dates - You have two opportunities to begin this program. Cohorts begin in July and January of each year.

Practicum and classroom experience - In the beginning, the clincial field experiences are developmental in nature, more observational. Semesters one through five of six total semesters have these clinical field experiences. The third and final year presents more leadership classroom experience. The 6th and final semester is student teaching.

A background check is required to begin clinical field experiences and student teaching. Students need to have a cooperating teacher in a regular school and the teacher needs a valid teaching license, at least 3 years experience, and been in their current building for a year. 

License - This program leads to Wisconsin teaching licensure for K-12. Applicants from out-of-state should check with their departments of education to see how courses translate to other states. Concordia will help you with a program course review.

Credit opportunities - Students may transfer up to 84 credits. Applicants may apply for life and work experience credit toward practicum coursework up to 6 credits.

LTD opportunity - Do you want to get your Lutheran Teacher Diploma? You can take 9 additional credits of theology and education courses to qualify.

Financial opportunity - Uncommon scholarships are available. The TEACH grant qualifies. This program is offered at the accelerated tuition rate.

Add on licenses -Once you complete our program, you are eligible to engage in our opportunities for any of the six add-on licenses listed below:

• Alternative Education License - 6 credits - DPI license #1952
• Gifted and Talented Teacher License - 12 credits - DPI license #1013
• Gifted and Talented Coordinator License - 15 credits (12 from G&T teacher license plus 3 more credits) - DPI license #5013
• English as a Second Language (ESL) License - 18 credits - DPI license #1395
• Bilingual License - 24 credits (18 credits from ESL license plus 6 more credits) - DPI license #1023