Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education - English and Language Arts (WI Licensure)
A teaching program in secondary education with online courses and in-classroom field work starting the first semester.
Earn your bachelor’s in education and a Wisconsin teaching license online in three years and become a 4-12th grade ELA teacher
Learn how to teach reading, speaking, writing, listening, and comprehension to secondary education students. You will master these ELA skills so that you can implement effective lessons and learning strategies in 4th-12th grade classrooms. Through online coursework and field work in classrooms, you will gain the expertise and experience to utilize engaging curriculum that improves the performance of your students.
This program is offered fully online to fit your busy lifestyle!
This degree focus will allow you to explore the language, literature, and expression of the Western canon in the context of education. Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of texts and ideas, because you’ll regularly be asked to write analytically and creatively. Professors will motivate you to think critically about texts and consider them within a Christian context, applying their lessons to your day to day life so you can do the same for your students.
*Students who desire licensure in another state must contact their state department of education for details about whether or not this coursework will meet state requirements.
- 100% online
- Courses are in 8-week sessions
- Option to start the program at the beginning of any 8-week session
- Professors with real world experience
- Practicums and student teaching experiences can occur anywhere in the U.S. (practicum does not have to be in Wisconsin)
- Program leads to WI teaching licensure in 4-12th grade
- 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)
- Online
This program utilizes rolling admissions which means upon acceptance you can start classes at the beginning of any 8-week session.
Steps for program admission:
- Submit your accelerated online application by selecting “Secondary 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.
Brian Harries
PhD
Professor
Office: Luther Hall 208L
Phone: (262) 243-4362
Bio
Brian Harries teaches early British literature in the Concordia English department, with an emphasis primarily on the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. He collaborates regularly with the History and Theater departments, and his research focuses on the Elizabethan theater as a site of cultural identity formation during the turbulent 16th century.

Education
- Ph D - English--Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama, University of Kansas (2010)
- MA - English--British/American Literature and Literary Theory, University of Kansas (2005)
- BA - English, University of Kansas (2002)
Contributions
- Harries, B. (2022). "Speaking for the Dead: Deciphering Corpses in Early Modern Drama." In William Engel and Grant Williams (Ed.), The Shakespearean Death Arts: Hamlet Among the Tombs. (pp. 49-65). London: Palgrave.
- Harries, B. & Mobley, S. (2021). Shared Inquiry and (A)Synchronicity: Online Learning in a Freshman Humanities Class. In Whitney Leeson (Ed.), (S01 ed.,vol. 51). Sixteenth Century Studies.
- Harries, B. & Moore, G. (2021). Undergraduate Archival Research in Early Modern Studies: Digital Possibilities for Small Colleges and Universities . (vol. 7). Arlington, TX: Early Modern Studies Journal.
- Harries, B. (2019). The Fall of Mediterranean Rome in Titus Andronicus. In Susan Shapiro (Ed.), State College, PA: Mediterranean Studies. http://www.psupre...
- Harries, B. (2018). "Christian Free Will and Reader Free Will in Ryan North's To Be or Not to Be." In Kristie Bixby (Ed.), Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching. (2 ed.,vol. 25,pp. 12). Wichita, Kansas: Wichita State University.
Presentations
- Harries, B. (2023). Of Spleen and Memory: An Echo of Luther in Shakespeare and Fletcher's Henry VIII. Paper. Shakespeare Association of America. Minneapolis, MN.
- Harries, B. (2021). "The scene is now transported”: Positioning and Moving the Audience in Two Outdoor Shakespeare Productions at Concordia University Wisconsin. Paper. Shakespeare Association of America. Austin, TX (virtual) .
- Harries, B. (2019). "'The Spirit I've Seen May be the Devil': Luther and the Power of Angels and Demons in Hamlet. Paper. Shakespeare Association of America Annual Meeting. Washington, DC.
- Mobley, S. & Harries, B. (2019). The Virtues of Virtue: A Great Conversation in Western Education. Keynote/Plenary Address. Classical Education Conference. Mequon, WI.
- Harries, B., Moore, G., Kleinschmidt, M. & Warner, M., (2018). Unsettled Strangers: Early Modern Construction of Self and Gender in Foreign Spaces. Paper. Attending to Early Modern Women. Milwaukee, WI.
Research Interests
- Elizabethan Drama, English 16th-century culture
- The Reformation
Teaching Interests
- Shakespeare, Medieval and Renaissance Literature
- Grammar and Language History
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 post-traditional teacher licensure (CAPTL - post-baccalaureate, accelerated bachelors, and Project INVEST). 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 . https://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
- 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.
- Paape, A. (2022). Cognitive Science in the Mathematics Classroom. Oral Presentation. Lutheran Education Association Convocation. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Paape, A., Huinker, D., Pettis, C. & Mooney, M., (2022). Learning to Teach with Instructional Materials. Oral Presentation. Wisconsin Mathematics Council Annual Conference. Green Lake, WI.
- Paape, A. (2019). Taking Mathematical Action. Lecture. Lutheran Education Association Convocation. St. Louis, MO.
- Paape, A. (2019). Representations and Conversations. Lecture. Lutheran Education Association Convocation. St. Louis, MO.
Research Interests
- Mathematics instructional methodolgy
- In-service teacher instructional practices
Teaching Interests
- Mathematics education
- Pre-service teacher preparation
James Pingel
PhD
Dean - School of Education, Professor
Office: Luther Hall 204A
Phone: (262) 243-4214
Bio
Jim Pingel is the Dean of the School of Education (Mequon, WI & Ann Arbor, MI). His research interests include biographical history, leadership, school culture, and Christian faith reflection and integration.

Education
- Ph D - Educational Leadership, Cardinal Stritch University (2008)
- MA - Early American History, Marquette University (1994)
- MS - Educational Administration, Concordia University Wisconsin (2001)
- BA - Secondary Education, Concordia University Wisconsin (1992)
Contributions
- Pingel, J. (2022). Remember the Ladies. In Guy Burnett (Ed.), (Winter 2022 ed.,pp. 10-11). Washington, D.C. : Madison Notes/James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation .
- Pingel, J. (2022). Innovation in Educatioin. (322 ed.,pp. 1). Saint Louis, MO: Lutheran Life - Concordia Publishing House.
- Pingel, J. (2022). "Forward to "Dispositional Development and Assessment in Teacher Preparation Programs"." In Sara Clemm von Hohenberg (Ed.), Forward. (pp. xiv-xv). Hershey, Pennsylvania: IGI Global: Publisher of Timely Knowledge. https://www.igi-g...
- Pingel, J. (2022). "A" is for Adversity. In Ed Grube (Ed.), (Spring 2022 ed.). River Forest, IL: Shapring the Future - Lutheran Educator Association . https://leaconnec...
- 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.
Presentations
- Pingel, J. (2023). The Future That Has Come: Embracing the Latest Trends, Temptations, and Truths of Christian Education Today. Oral Presentation. Professional Church Worker Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.
- Pingel, J. (2023). Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Ten Top Tips, Concepts, and Research Insights for Your Personal and Professional Vocations. Oral Presentation. Professional Church Workers Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.
- Pingel, J. (2023). Leaders GRIT: Enduring Essentials for the Church Worker. Oral Presentation. LCMS North Wisconsin District (NWD) Teachers' Professional Development Day. Bonduel, WI.
- Pingel, J. (2023). The Future That Has Come: Embracing the Trends and Truth of Lutheran Education Today. Keynote/Plenary Address. LCMS North Wisconsin District (NWD) Teachers' Professional Development Day. Bonduel, WI.
- Pingel, J. (2023). You Can't Give What You Don't Have: Research-based Tips for Your Health and Wellness. Oral Presentation. LCMS North Wisconsin District (NWD) Teachers' Professional Development Day. Bonduel, WI.
Research Interests
- Biographical History
- Christian Servant Leadership
Teaching Interests
- Advanced Leadership Theory and Practice
- Professional Ethics
Online - All of the program courses are online. Practicums (in-classroom experience) and student teaching (leading a classroom as a student teacher) must be done in-person at a school.
Accelerated format - All Accelerated Secondary Education (ASE) Programs are designed to be able to be completed in 3 years, if a student starts with zero credits. The ASE programs only have required Practicum courses during semester 1, 2, and 5. All ASE programs (similar to the AEE) will require 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 -Over the semester students have practicum experiences. This is also known as students "in the field" or field work. This work in the beginning is developmental in nature--observational. Semesters one through five of six total semesters have practicums. The third and final year presents more leadership classroom experience. The 6th and final semester is student teaching.
A background check is required at the beginning of practicum 1 and prior to 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. Concordia is happy to discuss practicum and field work with you.
License - This program leads to Wisconsin teaching licensure in 4-12th grade. 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:
- Alternative Education License - 6 credits - DPI license #1952
- Cross-categorical Special Education License - 16 credits - DPI license #2801
- English as a Second Language (ESL) License - 18 credits - DPI license #1395
- Bilingual License - 24 credits (18 credits from ESL license plus 6 more credits) - DPI license #1023