School of Education
Bachelor of Arts in Cross Categorical Special Education (WI Licensure)
A high-quality, comprehensive teaching program with a Christian emphasis that prepares you for an enriching career educating students with special needs and disabilities.
An impactful program that will have you teaching special education in only 3 years
Become a memorable, skilled, and compassionate special education teacher with a bachelor's degree from Concordia University Wisconsin's established and highly-regarded School of Education. Your studies in special education will include a solid liberal arts foundation, specialized coursework, and in-classroom experiences. This cross categorical SPED license for K-12 will provide the opportunity to serve special education students with various needs in a Wisconsin school district.
Credits
120
Cost Per Credit
$475
Online Format
Participate in flexible 8-week courses that are practical for today's student.
Program Overview
Our comprehensive program and experienced faculty will further develop your passion and skills to help K-12 students with intellectual, emotional, and learning disabilities reach their full academic potential. Learn how to identify students' strengths and weaknesses, assess their individual needs, and develop a trusting and productive learning environment for your students. Earn a degree in high-demand that will promise to be rewarding as you work to serve students and school communities.
What to Expect
- 100% online
- Courses are in 8-week sessions
- Option to start the program at the beginning of any 8-week session
- Field Experience and student teaching experiences can take place anywhere in the U.S., not required to be in Wisconsin
- Program leads to WI teaching licensure in K-12
- 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)
Locations
- Online
How to Apply
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 “Cross Categorical Special 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.
Linda Hensel
Ph.D.
Department Chair - Special Education, Professor
Office: Luther Hall LU204B
Phone: (262) 243-4209
Bio
Linda Hensel is a Professor of Education and the chair of the special education department. She teaches special education methods and assessment courses. Her research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Education
- Ph D - Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service, Cardinal Stritch University (2009)
- MA - Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Cardinal Stritch University (1996)
- BS - Special Education, University of Wisconsin (1984)
Contributions
- Hensel, L. (2021). What’s Special? Special Education in Lutheran Schools. In Ed Grube (Ed.), (pp. 15). River Forest, IL: Lutheran Education Association (LEA). https://cdn.leaco...
Presentations
- Hensel, L. (2021). What's Special about Special Education in Lutheran Schools. Oral Presentation. CU Faculty Scholarship Week Presentation. Concordia University: Zoom.
- Hensel, L. & Routier, W. (2018). An Innovative Approach to a Collaborative Inter-Professional Problem-Based Learning Activity. Oral Presentation. Original Lilly Conference on College Teaching. Oxford, OH.
- Hensel, L. & Routier, W. (2018). Research into Inter-Professional Collaboration in a Problem-Based Learning Activity with Special Education Preservice Teachers and Related Service Providers. Oral Presentation. 2nd International Conference on Educational Studies. Madison, WI.
- Hensel, L., Bremer, S., Harmon, B., Hintsala, K. & Iorio, B., (2017). Adapting Centers to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners. Lecture. Early Childhood Festival on the Lake. Concordia University.
- Hensel, L., Barnhart, R., Moser, C., Routier, W. & Watry-Christian, M., (2017). Problem-Based Learning Inter-Disciplinary Experience. Oral Presentation. CU Faculty Scholarship Presentation. Concordia University, Mequon Campus.
Research Interests
- Problem Based Learning
- Individualized Reading Instruction
Teaching Interests
- Behavior and Classroom Management
- Assessment in Special Education
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). He also serves as the chair for the Secondary/K12 department. 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. https://leaconnec...
- 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. http://www.pagetu...
- Paape, A. (2017). (Not) Teaching the Way We Were Taught. (Spring 2017 ed.). River Forest, IL: Lutheran Education Association. http://stf.lea.or...
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
Additional Information
Online - All of the program courses are online. Clinical field experiences (in-classroom experience) and student teaching (leading a classroom as a student teacher) must be done in-person at a school.
Accelerated format - The Accelerated Special Education (ASPED) Program is designed to be completed in 3 years, if a student starts with zero credits. The ASPED program requires clinical field experiences during semesters 1-5. And the program also requires 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 - In the beginning, the clincial field experiences are developmental in nature, more observational. Semesters one through five of six total semesters have these clinical field experiences. The third and final year presents more leadership classroom experience. The 6th and final semester is student teaching.
A background check is required to begin clinical field experiences and 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.
License - This program leads to Wisconsin teaching licensure for K-12. 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 six add-on licenses listed below:
- Alternative Education License - 6 credits - DPI license #1952
- Gifted and Talented Teacher License - 12 credits - DPI license #1013
- Gifted and Talented Coordinator License - 15 credits (12 from G&T teacher license plus 3 more credits) - DPI license #5013
- 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