Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Requirements

Acceptance into the program requires a minimum undergrad cumulative GPA of 3.00*.

*If you are applying with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 from previous college credits, you will need to submit an essay in addition to your online application. Your essay along with your school records will be reviewed by the Program Director, Dr. Adam Paape. 

Steps for program admission: 

1. Complete and submit your online application. Select "Adult Accelerated" for the academic program on the application.
2. Submit required admissions materials. An Admissions Counselor will reach out to you to help with this step.
3. Complete application for Uncommon Scholarship if you qualify.
4. Your application will be reviewed by the accelerated department once it is complete. You will be notified of your status and next steps for enrollment.

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

Accelerated format - Courses are accelerated. Students take 3 successive 8-week terms within each semester. Students completing the program in three years take two classes at the same time. Students take 6 credits at once (2, 3-credit courses). Courses are 8-weeks in length. The first 7 weeks are content-heavy and the 8 ^th week is designed as dedicated time for you to complete your practicum, or as a low-volume week before the next courses kick off. 

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, communications, English, etc. These courses are more self-paced.

Start dates - You have the opportunity to begin this program at the start of any 8-week session once you are accepted. Students begin with the Foundations of Education course.

Practicum and classroom experience -Over the semester students have practicum experiences. This is also known as students "in the field" or field work. This work in the beginning is developmental in nature--observational. Semesters one through five of six total semesters have practicums. The third and final year presents more leadership classroom experience. The 6th and final semester is student teaching. 

A background check is required at the beginning of practicum 1 and prior to 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. Concordia is happy to discuss practicum and field work with you.

License - This program leads to Wisconsin teaching licensure in K-9th grade. 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 add-on licenses listed below:

• Alternative Education License - 6 credits - DPI license #1952
• Cross-categorical Special Education License - 16 credits - DPI license #2801
• 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

Watch Dr. Adam Paape, Assistant Dean for School of Education, and Jon Cain, Admissions Counselor, present information on the accelerated teacher program.