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School of Education

Concordia University Irvine

Meet the School of Education’s New Dean: Heather Vezner.
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Instill a love for learning in every student

Concordia University Irvine’s School of Education spans from an undergraduate Liberal Studies major to a doctorate in Leadership. To be a master educator, you must first be a master learner. For this reason, it is our mission to empower students for a life of teaching, learning, and service to the community. A life of learning not only begins here, but continues throughout your career, as we strive to provide ongoing professional development for our alumni and network of educators.

Preparing professional educators has always been at the core of the School of Education. We provide a pathway for people who want to experience growth and ignite curiosity. Here you will thrive in today’s world – and shape tomorrow’s.

We Honor Our Own

Becoming a Professional Educator


Female teacher with elementary students

Liberal Studies

Undergraduate Education

Teaching can be an incredibly rewarding career where you have the opportunity to develop a child’s ability to think and wonder. Concordia’s Elementary Subject Matter Preparation Program will prepare you to teach elementary school children by giving you a broad foundation in a variety of subject areas. Students interested in teaching secondary education or high school can choose from 9 majors at CUI in the subject matter they are interested in teaching.

Our Lutheran Teaching Program is also an option for those looking to teach in Lutheran schools at either the elementary or secondary level.

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Male teacher pointing to the white board

Teacher Credential Program

Post-baccalaureate Education

Our Teacher Credential Program prepares highly qualified teachers for success in the classroom by offering the following post-baccalaureate programs: Single Subject Credential, Multiple Subject Credential, Education Specialist: Mild-Moderate Teaching Credential, Clear Induction Credential Programs, and a Combined Credential & Master of Education (M.Ed.) Program.

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Female teacher teaching a student

Master of Arts in Education

Graduate Degree Programs

Our graduate education degree programs are practical, accessible, and relevant to the classroom. We offer a Master of Arts in Education (MAED) with the following emphases: Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Administration, School Counseling, Educational Leadership, and Learning, Design, & Technology. Faculty members are committed to guiding students who will make a positive impact on their professions.

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Teacher with students in the classroom

Advanced Graduate Certificates

Graduate Degree Programs

Our Advanced Graduate Certificate Program allows you to enhance your skills as a leader in additional areas of a learning organization. The value of being an expert in multiple areas will provide you with higher marketability due to your additional expertise.

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Female teacher in her office

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Leadership

The integrated doctoral curriculum focuses on theory and applied research in leadership and guides students through the dissertation process as they complete their coursework. Focus your studies in one of our three specializations or advanced graduate certificates: Educational Administration, Organizational Change, and Special Education. Choose between a fully online delivery or a hybrid of face-to-face and online – both formats offer flexible, convenient scheduling designed to fit into the busy lives of educators.

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What would you like to do?

There are two phases you complete as you pursue your calling to become a teacher. In the first phase, you acquire essential subject matter knowledge as you complete your undergraduate bachelor’s degree. The second phase of your professional preparation for teaching involves pedagogy, or teaching skills. Completion of this phase prepares you to apply for your preliminary California Teaching Credential. Graduate degrees offer mastery of a concentration and the potential to advance your career. There are many paths to pursuing your calling as an educator; here are some of the most common routes students take at Concordia’s School of Education.

Teach at an Elementary School

In California, a person studying to be an elementary school teacher will work toward obtaining a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. This credential allows you to teach the variety of subjects offered at elementary schools.

Liberal Studies is the major most students choose when pursuing their Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. This major will well prepare you for the state required California Subject Examination Test (CSET) for multiple subjects which is required for all teacher candidates in California.

Programs Offered:

Teach at a Lutheran School

Through Christ College, CUI Lutheran Teacher programs prepare the student for teaching in Lutheran schools at either the primary or secondary level. Students teaching assignments will include both public school settings and Lutheran schools.

These students will then be certified, called and commissioned by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to teach in Lutheran schools and hold a Lutheran Teacher Certificate.

Programs Offered:

Teach at a Middle School

If you want to be a middle school teacher there are two paths you can pursue in California. It depends on the subjects you want to teach. Some middle school teachers teach a cluster of courses such as math, English, and social studies. This arrangement requires the teacher to hold a multiple subject credential. In this case, the best subject matter preparation for you would be to complete Concordia’s Liberal Studies Major.

Other middle school teachers teach a single subject like a high school teacher. If this is your goal you will pursue a single subject credential in your desired subject.

Programs Offered:

Teach at a High School

In California a person studying to be a high school teacher will work toward obtaining a single subject credential. This credential allows you to teach a specific subject matter that you pursue as your major. Concordia has 9 majors that correlate to single subject credentials authorized by the state of California: Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Exercise Sport Science (PE), History, Mathematics, Music, and Physics.

Credential coursework can be done as part of your undergraduate degree allowing you to finish your bachelor’s degree and credential at the same time. It will take 4, 4.5, or 5 years depending on the pace you set for becoming a teacher. To obtain your credential you will pursue one of the above majors at CUI, finish the credential coursework, and pass the state required tests including the California Subject Examination Test (CSET) for your major.

Programs Offered:

Teach Special Education

The State approved Special Education program at Concordia is titled “Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate.” This special education credential authorizes the teacher candidate to teach students (K-22) with mild to moderate disabilities, including students identified with specific learning disabilities, mild-moderate intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments.

Because a special education teacher can work with students in all grade levels K22 you will want to have a broad foundation of academic content. A special education teacher must be a well-educated person that has both breadth and depth in the subject areas. Your undergraduate major can be from any background, but it is highly recommended that you have a degree in Liberal Studies.

Programs Offered:

Become an Administrator

Designed for working educators, the Master of Arts in Educational Administration cohort-based program is designed to prepare future leaders in private or public K-12 education. Concordia University Irvine’s program provides the opportunity for teachers to continue working while taking one course at a time.

The MAEd Educational Administration degree program is standards based and allows candidates to earn an administrative services credential while earning a Master’s degree. Candidates pursuing leadership roles in education, government agencies and nonprofits can advance their career with a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.).

Programs Offered:

Become a School Counselor

Designed for working educators, the Master of Arts in School Counseling is designed to prepare students to serve as public and private school counselors in grades K-12 and meets the requirements of the pupil personnel services credential, which authorizes service as a school counselor in the state of California. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be prepared to work as a school counselor in the state of California.

Programs Offered:

I Don’t Know Yet!

That’s OK! Be sure to declare your intent to be a teacher. Go to the Registrar’s Office and ask to declare yourself a teacher education student. Work on your general education coursework. Talk to staff and education advisors. Enroll in EDUC 101, Introduction to Teaching Careers I. In this 1 unit course, you will learn more about your many options as a teacher.

Perfecting the Practice of Effective Leadership

Learn what’s working and share ideas

Something amazing happens when a teacher feels prepared and supported in the classroom. You can guide classroom learning through new material with confidence. Disruptions are waylaid by using tried and tested classroom management skills. Shared resources lighten your workload and the work you need to do becomes the work you love to do.

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Contact Us


Deans

Heather Vezner

Dr. Heather Vezner
Dean of the School of Education
Assistant Professor of Education
949-214-3352
[email protected]

Dr. Kellie Albrecht

Dr. Kellie Albrecht
Assistant Dean of the School of Education
949-214-3354
[email protected]


Admissions Counselors

Dr. Rebecca Stanton

Dr. Rebecca Stanton
Co-Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education Program
Director Preliminary Teacher Credential Programs
949-214-3345
[email protected]

Taylor Touchstone

Taylor Touchstone
Graduate Admissions Counselor
949-214-3266
[email protected]

Janet Lee Picture

Janet Lee
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions - School of Education
949-214-3573
[email protected]

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