Concordia University Wisconsin
Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education - Social Studies (Online)
Jackson, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 500 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
About: Concordia University Wisconsin’s BA in Secondary Education – Social Studies is an accelerated 100% online licensure programme for grades 4–12. You’ll take 8‑week courses, field experiences begin year one, transfer up to 84 credits, apply up to 6 PLA credits, and earn Wisconsin teaching licensure. Finish within three years. The programme includes Public Education electives, Lutheran Teaching Diploma, and Christian Teaching Certificate.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can teach social studies in middle and high schools as civics or history teachers. Other roles include curriculum developer, instructional coach, and educational consultant. Skills include lesson planning, assessment, classroom management, and student engagement.
A teacher program for licensure in grades 4-12 with online courses and clinical experiences in schools.
Earn your bachelor’s and teaching license online in social studies
Learn to teach the various topics that are included in today’s social studies curriculum to elementary through high school students. Give them the knowledge to develop an appreciation and understanding of history, and the current events and issues in our diverse society. You can help create good citizens who will lead the future right in your own social studies classroom.
This accelerated secondary education teacher licensure program is 100% online. You will earn your bachelor's in education and a valid Wisconsin license to teach 4th-12th grades. This accelerated program can be completed within three years or at a pace you prefer. It is an accessible, flexible, and affordable teacher program that gives individuals the opportunity to serve students in grades 4-12 as a trusted and skilled teacher.
What to Expect
- 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
- Field experiences start in year one of the program
- Program leads to WI teaching licensure in 4-12th grade
- This program accepts up to 6 credits of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
- Submit a narrative on your previous lived experiences that are related to elementary education and how they align with the program's objectives. This is submitted after you have enrolled and started courses.
- Pay a reduced rate for these PLA 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)
Concordia Common Core
Theology - Public Education
- The Bible
- Christian Faith
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC)
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Biblical Theology
- Western Culture & Worldview
- Western Thought & Worldview
- Science & Humanity
Liberal Arts Dimensions
- College Writing
Communication or Language course
Faith and Life Elective
- Foundations of Education
- Fit and Well
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature, or Graphic Design activity course
- Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9
- Introduction to Environmental Science
- Human Relations for Teachers
Society & Culture elective
Social Studies Education Curriculum - 70 - 76 credits
Theoretical and Practical Component - 15 credits
- Nature of the Exceptional Child
- Human Learning
- The Art and Science of Assessment and Instruction 1
- Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Social Studies - Secondary 1
- The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 1
Social Studies Component - 33 credits
- Principles of Economics
- General Psychology
- World Civilizations I
- World Civilizations II
- The American Federal System; or
- American Government
- Early America:1492-1800
- American Republic: 1800-1860
- Indus America:1865-1920
- United States as a World Power: 1920-Present
- Historical Methods
- History Capstone
Clinicals and Student Teaching Component - 22 credits
- Field Experience 1
- Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 1
- Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience 2 1, 2
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester)
- Portfolio Completion-Secondary 1
- Secondary Education Student Teaching
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements
- Teaching the Faith
- Lutheran Confessions
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements
- Teaching the Faith
Select one of the following:
- A Survey of Christian Thought
- Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church
- Lutheran Confessions
- Christian Apologetics
- Christ and Culture
Course Requires Upper Division Status.
"The Block" classes are taken during the same semester.
- 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 - Students take three successive 8-week sessions within each semester. Students who want to complete the program in three years will need to take two courses at the same time during an 8-week session. This would be a total of six credits, as each course is three credits. The first seven weeks of a course are content-heavy, and the eighth week is designed for you to complete your practicum, or as a low-volume week before the next courses kick off.
- 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, communications, English, 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. Students begin with the Foundations of Education course.
- Field experiences in schools - Over the semester, students have clinical experiences. Semesters one through five have required field experiences. You will participate in a minimum of two, multi-week pre-student teaching experiences. Some teaching programs will require additional pre-student teaching experiences beyond the minimum. The final year of the program has more leadership classroom experience, with the final semester being student teaching.
A background check is required at the beginning of field experiences and also 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 of experience, and to have 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 K-9th 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 six credits.
- LTD opportunity - Do you want to get your Lutheran Teacher Diploma? You can take an additional nine credits of theology and education courses to qualify.