Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction with Teacher Certification in Secondary Education

Earn your master's degree and a Michigan teaching certificate online

Concordia's Teacher Certification Program is the perfect fit for those who currently hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject area but wish to move into the world of education. Our collaborative program allows you to earn both a master’s degree and Teacher Certification online through convenient eight-week, self-paced courses.

Self-Paced

All courses offered 100% online and at your own pace.

Cost Per Credit ^$715

Cohorts

Eight week cohorts begin every: July, August, October, January, March, and May.

Credits 30

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Program Overview

Informational webinar is now available!

Click here to view the MSCI with Teacher Certification Webinar.

Interested in a shift in your career? Concordia's teacher certification program allows you to earn your Teacher Certification in elementary education. Our flexible post-baccalaureate program makes it so you can continue working while completing your coursework, with the flexibility to complete student teaching at a school local to you. Combining your teaching certification with a master's in curriculum instruction (MSCI) can set you apart in the field, with an added bonus of being eligible for financial aid!

Certification options

Candidates can choose to earn a secondary certification in the following grade bands:

5th - 9th grade (Middle)
7th - 12th grade (Upper)

Content areas include the following:

English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
*Special Education Learning Disabilities (K-12 certification)
Physical Education/Health (K-12 certification)

*In order to add a Special Education Learning Disabilities certification, students must take an additional 30 hours of coursework.

What to Expect

Candidates complete a 30-credit education sequence which allows them to teach at the elementary level while earning a Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. Courses are offered entirely online and credit can be given for previously completed education courses at the graduate level. You will be equipped to teach in PK-Grade 3 or Grades 3-6 in both the private and public sectors.

Courtney Slucter, MSCI Student

You’ll also learn how to design and use teaching methods in your content area that will make a meaningful impact in the classroom. Our Teaching Certificate Program takes a faith-based approach, which means you will bring faith and learning together in a meaningful way for your students. You will not only graduate equipped to plan lessons, but you will also learn how to build relationships to manage a classroom, use technology and best practices to engage in effective teaching, and be an educator dedicated to service in the classroom, church, and community.

What our current students have to say

I have grown both personally and professionally in this program because I have learned to make my decisions from a place of love. I try to provide a firm but loving environment where students feel safe and can thrive. Before, I would have focused more on the academic growth of the students, but this program has taught me the importance of building relationships. Now, my focus is more on loving the students, being supportive and creating an environment where they can flourish and spread their wings. I’m honored to get to encourage students each and every day!

Rachel Krieg / MSCI with Secondary Teacher Certification
I have grown personally in this program by gaining new perspectives on life and education from my classmates. Some of the things that my classmates have posted/created have challenged me to evaluate my teaching philosophy and outlook on life. Throughout this program, I have gained new perspectives and a greater appreciation for different styles of teaching. Without this program, I would not have been exposed to all of these new thoughts and ideas that have made me a better educator and a better person.

Colton Ritsema / MSCI with Secondary Teacher Certification
The Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction program at Concordia has been a perfect fit for me. First and foremost, it is Christ centered. It has fit perfectly into my life as a beginning teacher helping to support me on my way to earning a teaching degree. I have used so much of what I have learned in my own classroom, often times the next day! I am grateful and thankful that God opened doors for me to pursue my education degree at Concordia.

Kimberly Miller / MSCI with Secondary Teacher Certification
What makes this program unique for me is that the assignments aren't just read this and answer these questions. Then, study the materials and take an exam. In these classes, we are shown tools and then we have to expand our thinking into what those tools look like when applied to a classroom setting. I don’t feel like you can “fake it til you make it” in these classes. You cannot simply scan the reading materials. We really need to have an understanding, otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to complete the assignments. Also, by having to put our knowledge into play, the lessons stick with me, whereas, cramming for an exam, does not.

Tracy Patterson / MSCI with Elementary Teacher Certification

Locations

Online

Requirements

Students must have a certified bachelor’s degree.

Process

Application:

Apply online: www.cuaa.edu/apply
Provide all official transcripts documenting college courses and degrees.
Provide an updated resume.
Submit a personal letter of intent stating why you want to be a teacher, what skills you possess that will help you be successful in the program as well as why you chose Concordia for your master's program plus teacher certification.

Once enrolled in the program, students must have the following to graduate:

An official score report documenting passing scores on all Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for your chosen content area (passing scores must be submitted before the student teaching semester).
Acceptance into the School of Education
Maintained a 3.0 GPA
Successfully completed all required coursework including the culminating student teaching semester

Questions

If you have any questions before or during this process, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Sara Clemm von Hohenberg via email (sara.clemmvonhohenberg@cuaa.edu) or phone 734-995-7326.

Teacher Certification

Frequently Asked Program Questions

Q: How long does the program take?

A: The coursework will take you about one year to complete. In addition, the required student teaching at the end of the program is a 12-week commitment.

Q: I am already a teacher. Do I have to complete student teaching?

A: Student teaching is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education. All students must complete student teaching as a requirement of the program.

Q: Can I teach while taking courses in this program?

A: Yes! You can accept a full-time teaching job while you are enrolled in courses in our program. We can even help you find a job with one of our partner schools.

Q: Are there scholarships?

A: Yes! Concordia offers a scholarship for any student working in one of our partner schools through our Academic Community Scholarship. Alumni and veteran scholarships are also available.

The state of Michigan offers the MI Future Educator Fellowship and Concordia University is a participating partner. This scholarship offers up to $10,000 for people looking to earn their initial teaching certification.

Q: Do you accept transfer credits?

A: Yes! Master credits from other education programs can be accepted towards credit in this program.

Q: What is the format for courses?

A: Courses are completely asynchronous which means you won't have to log in at specific times or work on projects with other students. Courses start on each Monday and you have until Thursday to read the assigned materials and answer discussion questions. Weekly assignments are due on each Sunday. Each course is 8 weeks long and follows the same course format.

Q: How do the clinical experiences work?

A: Clinical experiences are spread out over the length of the program so you can continuously see teaching and learning strategies applied in classrooms by certified educators. You will complete a minimum of 15 hours of clinical experience for each course you take, excluding summer courses. If you are currently teaching full-time, you can use your current classroom hours for your clinical experiences.

Q: How is the Concordia teacher certification program different to other similar programs?

A: Our program is led by dedicated faculty that are current teachers and truly care about your success. Your emails are answered promptly and directly by your professors, the program director, and support staff. We have a job placement rate above 95% for eligible graduates. We will teach you the pedagogy you need to succeed as a teacher. Assignments will focus on giving you practical applications to utilize in your own classroom.

Q: Can I get my certificate in more than one grade band?

A: Yes! In order to earn an additional grade band, you will need to take two additional courses; one in Literacy and one in Methods.

Q: How much is tuition?

A: Tuition is $690 per credit hour. There are several scholarships available including the Academic Community Scholarship that lowers tuition by $150 per credit hour. This program is a valuable investment to earn both your teacher certification AND your master's degree.

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