Concordia and Bellevue forge academic link

Concordia is teaming up with Bellevue University to offer students who want to be high school teachers a fast track to their teaching certifications. Bellevue graduates now can transfer directly into Concordia’s Graduate Teacher Certification Program.  The articulation agreement went into effect in January.

The collaboration allows each institution to bring the best programs of their institution together in order to help students, according to Barb Perlewitz, director of Concordia’s graduate teacher certification program.

“Bellevue does not have an education program,” said Perlewitz, “so this articulation agreement offers them another venue for recruitment of students who are interested in their programs, but would also like to become a teacher.”  

Upon completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, Bellevue graduates can complete their secondary education certification in business education, biology, computer science, history, speech, social studies or K-12 art at Concordia. The articulation agreement has matched Bellevue courses with those from Concordia required for licensure.

Additionally, coursework completed for the graduate teacher certification then can be applied toward the completion of a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia.

Concordia also has collaborative agreements with Concordia University Wisconsin, Valparaiso University and the Omaha Public Schools. “The Bellevue agreement is just one more way we are trying to better serve the needs of today’s students,” said Concordia University Provost Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke.