EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM
1. General Education (45 hours)
2. Professional Education Core (16 hours)
- Educ 101 Teaching as a Profession (1)
- Educ 201 Introduction to Education (3)
- Educ 346 Instructional Technology (3)
- EDPS 210 Educational Psychology and General Methods (2)
- Psy 324 Psychology of Exceptionality (3)
- +Educ 424 Teaching Diverse Learners (2)
- +Theo 381 Christian Teacher’s Ministry (2)
**see sections 5 and 6 for information on the Lutheran Teacher Diploma and Christian Teacher Diploma requirements
3. Elementary Education Endorsement – required of all elementary students (34 hours)
- Psy 211 Child Development and Psychology (2)
- Art 301 Methods in Art Education (2)
- Math 301 Concepts of Mathematics II (3)
- +Educ 461 Literacy Instruction, Assessment & Intervention (6)
- +Educ 425 A Foreign Language Instruction, Curriculum, Assessment (3)
- +HHP 363 Health Methods in the Elementary School (1)
- +HHP 364 PE Methods in the Elementary School (1)
Professional Semester:
- +Educ 363 Teacher Laboratory-Elementary Methods (6)
- +Educ 381-384 Elementary Student Teaching (10)
4. Early Childhood Education Endorsement – required of all ECE students (31 hours)(available only with the elementary endorsement program)
- Eng 391 Children’s Literature (3)
- Psy 212 Child Development & Psychology/EC (1)
- Educ 330 Early Childhood Educ. Foundations & Programs (3)
- Educ 331 Infants & Toddlers: Development, Curriculum & Teaching (3)
- Educ 333 Primary Education and Literacy Development (3)
- +Educ 430 School, Community, and Parent Involvement (2)
Professional Semester (ECE requires two professional semesters):
- +Educ 332 Early Childhood Curriculum & Methodology (3)
- +Educ 452 Early Childhood Prog. Organization & Mgmt. (3)
- +Educ 380 Student Teaching in Pre-Primary (10)
+Students must be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in these courses.
5. Lutheran Teacher Diploma – required of all students in Lutheran education (11 hours)
**must be an active member of a Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregation
- Theo 241/242/251/252 Interpretation Course (3)
- Theo 361 Christian Doctrine I (3)
- Theo 362 Christian Doctrine II (3)
- Educ 362 Teaching the Christian (2)
6. Christian Teacher Diploma – available to any teacher education student (9 hours)
**for non-LTD candidates interested in teaching in a Christian school setting
Choose 9 hours from the following courses:
- Theo 241 or 242 or 251 or 252 Biblical Interpretation course (choose only one) (3)
- Phil 301 Concepts in Philosophy (3)
- Theo 375 Christian Denominations, Movements, and Contemporary Cults (3)
- Theo 390 World Religions: The Gospel in a Pluralistic World (3)
- Theo 450 Understanding and Teaching the Bible (3)
(Biblical Interpretation is a prerequisite for Theo 450) - Theo 465 Christian Ethics (3)
- Theo 482 Nurturing Faith through Family, School and Congregation (3)
- Theo 489 Ministry in a Changing World (3)
The Lutheran Teacher Diploma
The Lutheran Teacher Diploma is available to students who are currently members in good standing of a congregation of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. This diploma is granted to students who have met all requirements for the teacher education program, have completed the Lutheran Teacher Diploma coursework, are eligible for a teaching license in the State of Nebraska, and have been certified by the faculty as qualified to begin service as called members of the Lutheran teaching ministry. Students wishing to receive the LTD must apply to the program and complete its requirements as a part of the baccalaureate degree. This diploma qualifies the student for minister of religion status in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.
All students receiving the Lutheran Teachers Diploma are required to take a minimum of six hours of upper-level (300 or 400 level) theology courses on campus. (See specific course requirements under Bachelor of Science in Education Programs.)
The Christian Teacher Diploma
The Christian Teacher Diploma is granted to students who have met all requirements for the teacher education program, have a teaching degree, and are eligible for a teaching license in the State of Nebraska. Students seeking this diploma have indicated an interest in serving as teachers in Christian schools that are not associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Students wishing to receive the CTD must apply to the program and complete its requirements as a part of the baccalaureate degree. All students receiving the Christian Teachers Diploma are required to take a minimum of six hours of upper-level (300 or 400 level) theology or philosophy courses on campus. (See specific course requirements in the Christian Teacher Diploma section of each program.)
Teaching Ministry Colloquy Program
The university offers a program for teachers who are not commissioned by The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and who wish to be commissioned and listed on the LCMS roster. Candidates for this program must complete eight religion and Christian teacher courses after which a comprehensive written exam is taken followed by an oral interview. Courses can be taken on campus any time the courses are offered, or the candidate may transfer up to three courses from any other Concordia University or the CUNEnet online system.
Candidates who 1) are a member of an LCMS congregation, 2) have a B.S./B.A. in education, 3) are at least 25 years old, and 4) have taught in a Lutheran school for at least one year may apply to Concordia University’s Office of Colloquy Program for entrance into the program.
The application process requires the applicant to 1) complete an application to Concordia University, Nebraska, 2) complete an application to the Colloquy Program, 3) submit the names for five recommendations, and 4) send Concordia an official transcript of their higher education history.
The courses required for completion are:
- Rel 121 History and Literature of the Old Testament
- Rel 131 History and Literature of the New Testament
- Theo 251 Interpretation of Pauline Epistles
- Theo 361 Christian Doctrine I
- Theo 362 Christian Doctrine II
- Educ 362 Teaching the Christian Faith
- Theo 381 The Christian Teacher’s Ministry
Teacher Certification
Concordia maintains an office to assist graduates in securing a teaching certificate. The Dean of Education is authorized to recommend qualified candidates for any of the teaching certificates for which they are eligible. That office provides applications, institutional recommendations and transcripts, and initiates the transactions with the various state education departments.
All teacher graduates who apply for certification on or after August 1, 1989, must satisfactorily complete a prescribed admission and exit examination. Information regarding the test is available in the office of the Dean of Education.
A bachelor of science in education degree must be completed, with at least 30 semester hours in residence, to be eligible for a teaching certificate. The teaching certificate authorizes the graduates to teach in specific states in whatever teacher education program areas they have completed. Certification is not automatic. Each graduate must apply to receive a teaching certificate. Certification by the State of Nebraska requires completion of courses in human relations and special education.
Non-degree Certification and Endorsement Programs
There is a non-degree certification program and a non-degree added endorsement program for persons who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. Concordia’s alternative certification program follows the principles and regulations established by the State of Nebraska. College or university graduates with B.A. or B.S. degrees who are interested in becoming teachers may complete a teacher certification program that does not include the complete earning of another degree. This is best described as an added program to the existing college or university credits. Likewise, teachers who are already certified (and already have a license) and wish to add additional endorsements to increase their placement possibilities and/or job acquisitions may add endorsements without completing an additional degree. Persons desiring further information should contact the Dean of Education, Concordia’s teacher certification officer.
