Program options

SECONDARY 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 4 and 5 for information on the Lutheran Teacher Diploma and Christian Teacher Diploma requirements

3. Secondary Education Endorsement – secondary and K–12 students (19-21 hours)

  • +Psy 421 Psychology of Adolescence (2)
  • +Educ 470 Content Area Literacy (3)

Professional Semester:    

  • +Educ 301 Principles of Secondary Education (2)
  • +Educ 367-379 Secondary Methods Courses (2–4)
    (a 2-hour course for each field, comprehensive, or subject endorsement – some methods courses are only offered one semester per academic year, check the course offering schedule.)
  • +Educ 385 Secondary Student Teaching (10)

+Students must be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in these courses.

Field Endorsement – 45-64 hours OR Comprehensive Subject Major – 48-57 hours OR Two Subject Endorsements 29-39 hours each

Electives, if needed, to meet the minimum 128 semester hour requirement.

NOTE: Students desiring certification endorsement at the any level must earn a minimum of 15 hours in the professional sequence and must also complete student teaching through Concordia’s campus.

All students receiving the Lutheran Teachers Diploma must complete a minimum of six hours of upper level theology (300 or 400 level) courses on Concordia’s campus.

4.  Lutheran Teacher Diploma – required of all students in Lutheran education (9 hours)

**must be an active member of a Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregation    

5. 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)

Secondary Field Endorsements

Art (K–12 Certification) – 56 hours
Art 103, 145, 161, 190, 203, 205, 213, 223, 235, 243, 271, 272, 273, 301 (2 hours), 315, 325, 345, 489; three hours of art electives. Educ 377 is the methods course for this endorsement. K–12 endorsements require student teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Health and Physical Education (K–12) – 63-65 hours
One dance class (HHP 153, 155)
One aquatics class (HHP 171-177)
One individual/dual activity class (HHP 135, 152, 154, 156, 157, 158)
One team activity class (HHP 111, 112, 116, 117, 118, 132)
One fitness activity class (HHP 161, 162, 164, 166, 168)
One leisure activity class (HHP 142, 144, 146, 147, 148, 149)
HHP 181, 182, 228, 238, 248, 273; Select five classes from: HHP 281, 283, 284, 285, 286 or 287, 288, 289, 489; HHP 291, 365, 366, 376, 379, 385, 395, 465, 471, 480, 481, 484, 486, 491, 494; Bio 243.

It is advised that students seeking K–12 health and physical education certification add either an additional secondary subject endorsement or an elementary education endorsement. K–12 endorsements require student teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Language Arts – 67 hours
Eng 201, 221, 231, 326 or 327 or 328, 341 or 342 or 343, 362 or 363 or 364, 366, 381 or 382 or 384, 383 or 385 or 387, 392, 431; CTA 152 or 231, 153, 200, 211, 225, 232, 233, 241, 373. Select 3 hours from: CTA 203, 302, 306, 333, or 400. Students are encouraged to take CTA 226. Educ 371 and 378 are the methods courses for this endorsement. (Eng 324 The Nebraska Story or The New England Study Tour may be substituted for any English course, preferably American Literature. Eng 361 The London Literary Tour may be substituted for any English course, preferably British Literature or Shakespeare.)

Music
Use Bachelor of Music Education program.  
K–12 endorsements require student teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Natural Science – 60–63 hours
Students are required to take 18 hours from one of the areas of biology, chemistry, or physics and 15 hours from the remaining two areas.

Physical Science – 54 hours
Students will take 18 hours from either chemistry or physics and 15 hours from the other subject.

Social Science – 60 hours
History: (21 hours) Hist 115, 131, 132, and 12 hours of upper-level history electives including at least six hours of U.S. history and at least three hours of non-US history.

Cognate area (9 hours) – Choose one of the following:

Six hours in each of the following social science disciplines, excluding the cognate area:

Six hours of electives from the areas of history, geography, political science, sociology, and anthropology (Soc 201). Educ 372 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Comprehensive Subject Majors

Biology – 57 hours
Chem 115; Sci/Geog 281; Phys 110; Math 122, Bio 111, 112, 208, 224, 225, 243 (or 343 and 344), 317, 345, 351, 399 (2 hours minimum) and 6 hours biology electives from Bio 271, 319, 362, 363, 371, and Chem 345. Note: if students elect to take Bio 343 and 344 in place of Bio 243 only 2 hours of biology electives are required. Educ 373 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Chemistry – 55 hours
Chem 115, 116, 231, 313, 325, 331, 345, 353, 354, 355, 356; Sci 365; Sci/Geog 281; Bio 110; Phys 110; Math 184, 186. Educ 373 is the methods course for this endorsement.

English – 48 hours
Eng 221, 231, two courses from Eng 326, 327, and 328; two courses from Eng 341, 342, and 343; two courses from Eng 362, 363, and 364; 366, select two courses from Eng 381, 382, and 384; Eng 383, 385, 387, 392, 431. Educ 371 is the methods course for this endorsement. (Eng 324 The Nebraska Story or The New England Study Tour may be substituted for any English course, preferably American Literature. Eng 361 The London Literary Tour may be substituted for any English course, preferably British Literature or Shakespeare.)

Health and Physical Education – 56-58 hours
HHP 111–177 Basic Instruction Program. One course (.5 hr) will be chosen from each of the following areas: dance, aquatics, individual and dual activities, team activities, fitness activities, and leisure/adventure activities. HHP 181, 182, 228, 238, 248, 273, select four classes from 281, 283, 284, 285, 289, 489; HHP 291, 366, 376, 379, 385, 395, 471, 480, 481, 484, 486, 491, 494, Bio 243. At least 6 hours (HHP 182 and Bio 243) may be used to count toward general education. HHP/BIO 385 also may count, depending on a student’s high school experience.

Mathematics  –  45 hours
Math 184, 186, 252, 284, 322, 332, 333, 335, 348, 365, 382, 384, 475 and CS 131. Educ 374 is also required for this endorsement.

Physics – 56 hours
Phys 111, 112, 321, 351, 371, 381, 382, 383, 390; Sci 202, Sci/Phys 331, 365; Sci/Geog 281, 381; Chem 115; Bio 110; Math 184, 186. Math 284 and 384 are recommended. Educ 373 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Supplemental Secondary Endorsements

Students completing Supplemental Secondary Endorsements must also complete two subject endorsements or one field endorsement.

Coaching – 23 hours
HHP 182, 261, 298, 362, 385, 463, 491; Bio 243; one class from HHP 321, 322, 323, 325, 326, 327.

Computer Science – 18 hours
CS 131, 141, 231, 251, 261, 334. Educ 368 is the methods course for this endorsement. The computer science department highly recommends CS 241 and 344.

English as a Second Language – 15 hours
Eng 231, Educ 425a/b, CTA 333, Educ 399.

ELEMENTARY and SECONDARY DUAL CERTIFICATION

This option prepares a student to be certified on both the elementary and secondary levels. Normally, a student will follow the regular pattern of whatever program is chosen initially. In addition to this regular pattern, the following courses must be taken to be certified on both levels. The extra student teaching hours must be done in a full-time experience. Dual certification will usually require at least one extra semester. Students selecting this option should confer with the Dean of Education early in the planning process.

Elementary Education Students Desiring Secondary Certification – 25-30 hours

  • Subject endorsement (6-9 hours)
  • *Secondary Student Teaching (10 hours)
  • Secondary Methods (2-4 hours)
  • Educ 301 (2 hours)
  • Educ 470 (3 hours)
  • Psy 421 (2 hours)

It is desirable that a second subject endorsement of 30 hours be completed.

Secondary Education Students Desiring Elementary Certification – 34 hours

*A minimum of ten hours in elementary student teaching and ten hours in secondary student teaching is required for dual certification. Some programs may require additional hours.

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.

See also: Please check the course catalog for other information about programs in which you are interested.

Secondary Subject Endorsements

Biology – 36 hours
Chem 115; Sci/Geog 281; Phys 110, Bio 111, 112, 208, either 224 or 225, 243 (or 343 and 344), 317. Students may choose to take Bio 343 and 344 in place of Bio 243 but doing so will add 4 hours to the endorsement. Educ 373 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Basic Business – 34-35 hours
Bus 121, 122, 261, 281, 300, 325, 331, 446; Econ 101, 102; three hours of electives from Bus 221*, 336, 337, 343, 351, 443. Students must pass a keyboarding competency test as part of Bus 325 and actively participate as a member of the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) organization for a minimum of one year. Educ 369 is the methods course for this endorsement. *Bus 221 is a four hour course. Total hours to complete the endorsement is 35 hours for students selecting the course as elective.

Chemistry – 37 hours                                              
Chem 115, 116, 231, 313, 325, 345, 353; Sci/Geog 281; Bio 110; Phys 110. Educ 373 is the methods course for this endorsement. Math 184 and 186 are prerequisites for some chemistry classes.

Computer Science – 30 hours
CS 131, 141, 231, 251, 261, 334, 344, 351, 361, one course from CS 241, 321, 324, 348, 390. The Computer Science endorsement counts as one of the two subject endorsements required of Secondary Education students but is viewed by the State of Nebraska as a supplemental endorsement. Educ 368 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Drama – 30 hours
CTA 152, 153, 154, 231, 232, 233, 373, Eng 366. Select 6 hours from: CTA 200, 241, 242, 299 (1-3 hrs.), 399 (1-3 hr.), ECTA 350, or Eng 387. Educ 378 is the methods course for this endorsement.

English – 32 hours
Eng 221, 231, Eng 326 or 327 or 328, 341 or 342 or 343, 362 or 363 or 364, 366, 381 or 382 or 384, 383 or 385 or 387, 392, 431. Educ 371 is the methods course for this endorsement. (Eng 324 The Nebraska Story or The New England Study Tour may be substituted for any English course, preferably American Literature. Eng 361 The London Literary Tour may be substituted for any English course, preferably British Literature or Shakespeare.)

English as a Second Language – 27 hours
Modern Foreign Language (6 hours), Eng 231, Eng 391, Eng 392, Educ 425a, Educ 425b, CTA 333, Educ 399.

Geography – 37 hours
Geog 101, 202, 281, and 21 hours of upper-level geography courses from a variety of instructors, three hours of history, and three hours of one social science other than geography (general education courses may fulfill the non-geography requirement). Soc 306 may substitute for a geography course. Educ 372 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Health Education – 35-37 hours
HHP 181, 182; select five classes from: HHP 281, 283, 284, 285, 286 or 287, 288, 289, 489; HHP 366, 389, 465, 480, 481, 482, 484, 486; Bio 243.

History – 39 hours
Hist 115, 131, 132; 24 hours of upper-level history electives from both U.S. and non-U.S. history, to include at least nine hours of U.S. history; and a minimum of six hours in two social sciences, normally taken as part of general education. Educ 372 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Mathematics – 36 hours
Math 184, 186, 252, 284, 322, 332 or 333, 335, 348, 365, 382 or 384, 475. Educ 374 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Music – 7-12 Instrumental – 68-73 hours
Mu 102, 103, 104, 105, 202, 203, 204, 205, 211, 212, 213, 303, 331, 332, 493 (1 hour); ChMu 313 or 411; Educ 375; ScMu 262, 263, 264, 265, 317, 361

  • Principal instrument: 10 hours
  • Keyboard proficiency: 0-4 hours; pass keyboard proficiency exam
  • Voice proficiency: 0-1 hour; satisfy level of MuAp 151
  • Instrumental ensembles: 7 hours in Symphonic Band or Concert Band. The number of hours in this program is reduced by up to 7 if ensembles are audited.
  • Small ensemble requirement: see the Music Student Handbook
  • Recital attendance: see the Music Student Handbook

This leads to an endorsement in the State of Nebraska.

All students who wish to receive a teaching endorsement in music make formal application for admittance as a music major during their first year at Concordia.  See the Music Student Handbook for admission and retention procedures.

Music – 7-12 Vocal – 62-67 hours
Mu 102, 103, 104, 105, 202, 203, 204, 205, 211, 212, 213, 303, 331, 333, 334, 354, 493 (1 hour); ChMu 313 or 411; Educ 375

  • Principal instrument: 10 hours
  • Keyboard proficiency: 0-4 hours; pass keyboard proficiency exam
  • Voice proficiency: 1-2 hours; satisfy level of MuAp 251
  • Choral ensembles: 7 hours, may audit; required in each of 7 semesters. The number of hours in this program is reduced by up to 7 if ensembles are audited.
  • Small ensemble requirement: see the Music Student Handbook
  • Recital attendance: see the Music Student Handbook

This leads to an endorsement in the State of Nebraska.

All students who wish to receive a teaching endorsement in music make formal application for admittance as a music major during their first year at Concordia. See the Music Student Handbook for admission and retention procedures.

Physical Education – 38 hours
One dance class (HHP 153, 155)
One aquatics class (HHP 171-177)
One individual/dual activity class (HHP 135, 152, 154, 156, 157, 158)
One team activity class (HHP 111, 112, 116, 117, 118, 132)
One fitness activity class (HHP 161, 162, 164, 166, 168)
One leisure activity class (HHP 142, 144, 146, 147, 148, 149)
HHP 182, 228, 238, 248, 273, 291, 376, 385, 395, 399, 471, 491, 494; Bio 243.

Physics – 36 hours
Phys 111, 112, 321, 371, 381, 382, 383, 390; Chem 115; Bio 110; Sci/Geog 281. Educ 373 is the methods course for this endorsement. Math 184 and 186 are prerequisites for some physics classes.

Spanish – 30-36 hours
Span 201, 202, three hours from each of the areas of Spanish conversation, Spanish composition, Spanish or Latin American civilization; six hours of Hispanic literature; 9-15 hours of electives at the 300 level or above. Students who complete an approved program of study in a Spanish-speaking country can complete this endorsement with 30 hours. Those taking only courses in the U.S. must take six additional hours of electives. Some courses may have to be taken at UNL. Curr 451R and 452R (methods courses) also may have to be taken at UNL.

Special Education – 28 hours

  • ECTA 170 American Sign Language (3)
  • +HHP 471 Adaptive Physical Activity (3)
  • +Educ 315 Behavior Disorders and Intervention (3)
  • +Educ 316 Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities (3)
  • +Educ 314 Assessment, Evaluation, and IEP (3)
  • +Educ 317 Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities (3)
  • +Educ 387 Special Education Student Teaching (10)

+Students must be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in these courses.

Speech – 30 hours
CTA 200, 211, 231, 241, 302, 203 or 306, 311, 333. Select 6 hours from: 242, 301, 309, 400, ECTA 350. Educ 378 is the methods course for this endorsement.

Theology – 29-30 hours
Rel 121, 131; Theo 331, 381, 382, 450; Theo 363 or 375; one course from Theo 241, 242, 251, 252, 331; two courses from Hist 313, 334, 335, Theo 371, 390, 418, 482. Students have the option of completing Theo 499. Educ 379 is the methods course for this endorsement