Accelerated Secondary Education Bachelors

Earn your bachelor’s and teaching license online in social studies

Learn to teach the various topics that are included in today’s social studies curriculum to elementary through high school students. Give them the knowledge to develop an appreciation and understanding of history, and the current events and issues in our diverse society. You can help create good citizens that will lead the future right in your own social studies classroom

Credits120

Cost Per Credit^$490

Schedule

Start at the beginning of any 8-week session during the fall, spring, or summer trimester.

Online Format

A flexible program to fit your busy life schedule.

Questions? We’re here to help

Our team is available to help you as you consider the next step in your education.

Get answers to your questions

Our team is standing by to assist you with additional program details, financial aid options, and admissions questions.

Program Overview

This accelerated secondary education teacher licensure program is 100% online. You will earn your bachelor's in education AND a valid Wisconsin license to teach 4th-12th grades. This accelerated program can be completed within three years or at a pace you prefer. It is an accessible, flexible, and affordable teacher program that gives individuals the opportunity to serve students in grades 4-12 as a trusted and skilled teacher.

Watch Dr. Adam Paape, Assistant Dean for School of Education, present a brief overview of the accelerated teacher program for elementary and secondary education.

Learn to guide your students through a myriad of perspectives and social structures, and be able to adapt teaching lessons for the next generation of thinkers. Develop effective teaching practices for your students to learn about historical and current events.

What to Expect

100% online
Courses are in 8-week sessions
Option to start the program at the beginning of any 8-week session
Professors with real world experience
Field experiences start in year one of the program
Program leads to WI teaching licensure in 4-12th grade
This program accepts up to 6 credits of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
- Submit a narrative on your previous lived experiences that are related to elementary education and how they align with the program's objectives. This is submitted after you have enrolled and started courses.
- Pay a reduced rate for these PLA credits
Transfer up to 84 credits
Option to earn Public Education (PLA can be used towards the 9 elective credits for public education candidates), Lutheran Teaching Diploma (LTD) and Christian Teaching Certificate (CTC)

Application steps

Entrance requirements

Provide an official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you attended
If your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0, an essay is required
If you have less than 60 transferable undergraduate credits, an official high school transcript or proof of GED must also be submitted
- If your high school GPA is less than 3.0, an essay is required

Admissions process

Complete an online application here: www.cuw.edu/apply (select the "Online Undergraduate" option).

When your application is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review.

Apply Now

After acceptance

An official acceptance letter will be emailed to you that will include your Student ID (F00) number
An email from your Admission Counselor will be sent to you with next-step details
Password information will be sent separately from the Information Technology office which will provide you access to: Canvas, your Concordia email account, and the student portal
Schedule to meet with your Academic & Career Advisor who will review your degree plan, discuss orientation steps, the student portal, and assist with registering for classes
Check if you qualify and complete an Uncommon Scholarship application here

Please note: ACT and SAT scores are not required.

For additional information contact Admissions at admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.

Helpful information

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 - Students take three successive 8-week sessions within each semester. Students that want to complete the program in three years will need to take two courses at the same time during an 8-week session. This would be a total of six credits as each course is three credits. The first seven weeks of a course are content-heavy, and the eighth week is designed 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.

Field experiences in schools -Over the semester students have clinical experiences. Semesters one through five have required field experiences. You will participate in a minimum of two, multi-week pre-student teaching experiences. Some teaching programs will require additional pre-student teaching experiences beyond the minimum. The final year of the program has more leadership classroom experience with the final semester being student teaching.

A background check is required at the beginning of field experiences and also 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 six credits.

LTD opportunity - Do you want to get your Lutheran Teacher Diploma? You can take an additional nine 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 opportunities for any of the add-on licenses listed below:

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Recorded in April 2024:

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Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

With only 18 credits, you can earn a Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD) with your bachelor's in education. This add-on option will give you the opportunity to serve within the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). You need to be a confirmed member of the LCMS to earn this Lutheran Teacher Diploma.

With your LTD, you will become eligible to receive Calls as Commissioned Ministers of the Gospel, as our program's six courses are tailored to provide the necessary theological training. These courses are taught in collaboration with Concordia's Theology department:

New Testament
Old Testament
Biblical Theology
Lutheran Confessions
Faith and Life Elective
Teaching the Faith

Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education - Social Studies

Earn your bachelor’s and teaching license online in social studies

Questions? We’re here to help

Get answers to your questions

Entrance requirements

Admissions process

After acceptance

Susan Mobley

Susan Mobley

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Adam Paape
Ed.D.

Adam Paape
Ed.D.

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James Pingel
PhD

James Pingel
PhD

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For Concordia's post-traditional education students, their classroom is the classroom

From the Corps to the Classroom: Terrence Perfect

A first-generation educator finding her calling at Concordia

Questions? We’re here to help