Attain a SPED teaching license in 3 years

You can be teaching special education students in only 3 years

Become a memorable, skilled, and compassionate special education teacher with a bachelor's degree from Concordia University's established and highly-regarded School of Education. Your studies in special education will include a solid liberal arts foundation, specialized coursework, and in-classroom experiences. This cross categorical SPED license for K-12 will provide the opportunity to serve special education students with various needs in a Wisconsin school district.

Credits120

Cost Per Credit^$475

Online Format

Participate in flexible 8-week courses that are practical for today's student.

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Program Overview

This accelerated special education teacher licensure program is 100% online. You will earn your bachelor's in education AND a valid Wisconsin license to teach K-12 students. 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 K-12 as a trusted and skilled special education teacher.

Relevant curriculum, student teaching, and experienced faculty will develop your teaching skills and passion to help K-12 special education students reach their full academic potential. Learn to identify the characteristics of children with disabilities, assess students, serve on Individualized Educationl Plan (IEP) teams, and create learning environments that align with their specific needs. This program will give you the authority to work with students that have intellectual disabilities (ID), specific learning disabilities (SPD), and emotional behavioral disabilites (EBD).

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

What to Expect

100% online
Courses are in 8-week sessions
Option to start the program at the beginning of any 8-week session
Field Experience and student teaching experiences can take place anywhere in the U.S., not required to be in Wisconsin
Program leads to WI teaching licensure in K-12
Applicants may apply for life and work experience credit toward practicum coursework up to 6 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)

Download the program flyer

How to Apply

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:

Complete and submit your online application. Select "Adult Accelerated" for the academic program on the application.
Submit required admissions materials. An Admissions Counselor will reach out to you to help with this step.
Complete application for Uncommon Scholarship if you qualify.
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.

Linda Hensel
Ph.D.

Department Chair - Special Education, Professor

Adam Paape
Ed.D.

Assistant Dean, Professor

Additional Information

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 the opportunity to begin this program at the start of any 8-week session once you are accepted.

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 add-on licenses listed below:

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

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

Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Cross Categorical Special Education

You can be teaching special education students in only 3 years

Questions? We’re here to help

Get answers to your questions

Download the program flyer

Requirements

Steps for program admission:

Linda Hensel
Ph.D.

Linda Hensel
Ph.D.

Bio

Education

Contributions

Presentations

Research Interests

Teaching Interests

Adam Paape
Ed.D.

Adam Paape
Ed.D.

Bio

Education

Contributions

Presentations

Research Interests

Teaching Interests

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Questions? We’re here to help

You can be teaching special education students in only 3 years

Questions? We’re here to help

Get answers to your questions

Download the program flyer

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