School of Education
Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Upper Elementary Education & Special Education Learning Disabilities Endorsement (MI Certification)
A 3-year path to become a certified Michigan teacher with a bachelor's degree and Special Education - Learning Disabilities Endorsement
Online program for Michigan teacher certification in PreK-3rd or 3rd-6th and your bachelor's degree
Become a certified teacher at the elementary level within three years. This certification will give you the ability to teach at either the lower level of elementary or the upper level, in addition to special education. Online college courses will develop your foundational knowledge in teaching. Then begin to build your teaching skills and practices through observation and student teaching in Michigan schools.
Online Format
Self-paced online courses are conducted in 8-week sessions.
Flexibility
This program has multiple start dates during the fall, spring, and summer.
Credits
120
Program Overview
Courses
The online courses will introduce you to the fundamental theories of education and build your practical knowledge in the cores subject areas of elementary education.
Clinical Experiences
These experiences "in the field" or "in the classroom" are an integral part to earning your certification to teach in a private or public Michigan school district.
You will need to complete the required observational hours in classrooms watching current teachers to learn specific skills, strategies, and learning practices. These observational experiences will start in your first semester and go through until your fifth semester. Student teaching will take place during your final semester of this accelerated program. You will student teach in an eligible school and meet regularly with Concordia faculty and your cooperating teacher to track progress and receive feedback.
Please note that a background check is required at the beginning of your first clinical and again prior to student teaching. You will work with faculty to locate a cooperating teacher that meets the following requirements. This educator needs to have been teaching for a minimum of four years with the last two years at the school they are presently teaching.
Endorsement
You can choose to pursue a Special Education Learning Disabilities Endorsement. This endorsement will require 27 additional credits and can be completed with either Lower Elementary or Upper Elementary tracks.
Our Special Education curriculum includes courses on language, literacy, educational research methods, procedural safeguards, and the technology available for students and teachers. You’ll learn about federal and state legislation influencing the education, curriculum, and documentation requirements for students with disabilities. Our goal is to prepare servant leaders ready to gracefully communicate with their fellow teachers, administrators, and families in order to operate as a team for the benefit of each student.
In this program, candidates will not only meet the requirements to be a special education teacher in Michigan, but they will also learn how to:
- Create necessary early intervention approaches
- Ensure students with disabilities have the assistance they require
- Adapt curriculum and materials to suit individual student requirements
- Collaborate with parents, other educators, and health care professionals
- Measure student progress
What to Expect
- Online courses are in 8-week sessions
- Acceptances into the program occur throughout the year
- Multiple start dates exist during the spring, summer, and fall semesters
- Complete 245 hours of clinical experiences (This is observation in classrooms)
- Complete 450 hours of student teaching
- Accept up to 84 transfer credits
- Option to earn a Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD) with additional credits
Contact Us
How to apply
You may apply at any point in the year. No need to wait. Concordian operates on a rolling admission basis with new courses beginning every 8 weeks. This program begins cohorts in early July and early January. Applications are reviewed until about 2 weeks before the start date.
Steps for program admission:
- Submit your accelerated online application by selecting “Elementary Education – Bachelor’s degree” as the academic program.
- 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.
- Review entrance requirements and submit admissions pieces:
- 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.
- Official transcripts
- Any other necessary application materials
- Acceptance! When your application file is complete, it will be reviewed by the department and you will be notified of entrance status.
- Fill out application for Uncommon Scholarship if you qualify.
- 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.
Adam Paape
Ed.D.
Assistant Dean, Professor
Phone: (262) 243-4203
Bio
Dr. Paape serves as an assistant Dean in the School of Education with a focus on initial teacher licensure. His instructional focus is in mathematics education, mentoring future teachers of mathematics. His research focuses on student-centered mathematics instruction, with an emphasis on implementing rich, conceptual mathematical tasks.
Education
- EDD - Educational Leadership, George Fox University (2013)
- MS - Educational Administration, Concordia University Wisconsin (2004)
- BA - Secondary Education - Mathematics, Concordia University Wisconsin (2000)
Contributions
- Alles, B., Pingel, J., Paape, A. & Juergensen, J., (2021). Grapes, Giants, and God: Mentoring First-Year Teachers with the Joshua-Caleb Project. (Spring 2021 ed.). St. Louis, MO: Lutheran Education Association.
- Paape, A. (2020). "Silent Mathematics." In Susanna M. Steeg Thornhill and Ken Badley (Ed.), Generating Tact and Flow for Effective Teaching and Learning. (pp. pp. 59 -60). New York: Routledge.
- Paape, A. (2019). Review of Contemporary Challenges for Religious and Spiritual Education. (1 ed.,vol. 24,pp. 120-121). International Journal of Christianity and Education . http://journals....
- Paape, A. (2018). Reflections on Professional Coaching: Eight Mathematics Teaching Practices. (pp. 27-36). River Forest, IL: Lutheran Education Journal.
- Paape, A. (2017). (Not) Teaching the Way We Were Taught. (Spring 2017 ed.). River Forest, IL: Lutheran Education Association.
Presentations
- Paape, A. & Balsman, J. (2024). Cultivating Student Growth: Integrating High-Leverage Strategies for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in Elementary through High School. Oral Presentation. North and South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod Teachers' Conference. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
- Paape, A. (2024). Elevating Mathematics Instruction: Empowering Engagement and Deep Thinking - Elementary. Oral Presentation. Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools 2024 Education Conference and Expo. Detroit Michigan.
- Paape, A. (2024). Elevating Mathematics Instruction: Empowering Engagement and Deep Thinking - Secondary. Oral Presentation. Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools 2024 Education Conference and Expo. Detroit Michigan.
- Paape, A. (2024). - Unlocking Student Success: Mastering the Seven Essential Strategies for Teaching and Learning. Oral Presentation. Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod Educators Conference. Daytona Beach, Florida.
- Hollander, E., Paape, A. & Potratz, J., (2023). Mathematical Integrated Strategies in a Core Business Class Using Cognitive Science Methods as an Intervention Tactic to Increase Future Student Success at Concordia University of Wisconsin. Paper. 2023 Cross-Cultural Business Conference. Steyr Campus.
Research Interests
- In-service teacher instructional practices
- Post-traditional teacher candidate support
Teaching Interests
- Mathematics education
- Pre-service teacher preparation
