Undergraduate Education Programs | School of Education | Concordia University Irvine

Undergraduate Education Programs

Preparing professional educators

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions you can be in today. Working with students, parents and colleagues is exciting and gratifying. Teachers stretch minds and transform people. Joining Concordia’s School of Education is your first step toward becoming a great teacher!

Every instructor in the School of Education has taught at either the elementary, middle-school or high school level and many have taught more than one grade. Faculty also contribute their experiences as principals, coaches, and school counselors to the information you will learn in class. You will learn from professionals who understand the history of education and are striving to make you the best teacher you can be for the future.

As you prepare for a career in education, it is important to know that Concordia’s Teacher Credential Program is a certified credential-granting institution with the State of California. CUI also offers training for the Lutheran Teaching Certificate through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. And if you wish to advance your career further, the School of Ed offers four Masters degrees and a Doctorate in Education.

We welcome you to the start of a career in teaching!

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael W. Schulteis
Co-Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs
[email protected]
949-214-3351

Dr. Rebecca Stanton
Co-Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs
[email protected]
(949) 214-3345

Majors & Certificates Offered

elementary teacher

Elementary Education Teachers

Undergraduate Education

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. Our Liberal Studies Major will well prepare you to teach Kindergarten through 6th-grade. In California a person studying to be an elementary school teacher will work toward obtaining a Multiple Subject credential.

middle school teacher

Middle School Teacher Education

Undergraduate Education

Students interested in teaching secondary education, grades 6 - 8, can pursue one of two paths in California. Those who wish to teach a cluster of courses, such as math, English, and social studies, will complete Concordia’s Liberal Studies Major. Students who wish to teach a single subject, will choose from 9 majors at CUI in the subject matter they are interested in teaching.

high school students

High School Teacher Education

Undergraduate Education

Students who wish to teach high schoolers, will choose a subject matter they are interested in teaching. 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.

special education student and teacher

Special Education

Undergraduate Education

Students interested in teaching special education will complete Concordia's Liberal Studies major and pursue an Education Specialist (EDSP) Teaching Credential. CUI students earn the Mild-Moderate Disabilities credential, which includes specific learning disabilities; mild to moderate intellectual disabilities; other health impairment; serious emotional disturbance; and authorizes service in grades K–12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.

lutheran teacher

Lutheran Teacher Certificate

Undergraduate Education

Through Christ College, CUI Lutheran Teacher programs prepare the student for teaching in Lutheran schools at either the primary or secondary level. Students in Lutheran teaching programs complete the requirements for a California teaching credential (either for High School, Middle School, or Elementary School teaching) along with the requirements from our school of Theology.

teacher with children

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. Included in your coursework is one full semester of Student Teaching.

transfer student

Transfer Students

Undergraduate Education

Welcome to your new University home!

We’re glad you are considering Concordia’s School of Education as the place to finish your degree and teaching credential. Most of the information you need regarding admissions, coursework, and transferring as a Liberal Studies Major or Single Subject Major can be found here.

Student Teaching

During your time at CUI we want you to get the best experiences for becoming an outstanding teacher. To do this we give you the opportunity to start working with students from K-12 starting in your first class EDUC 101, Introduction to Teaching.

What Students Are Saying

Here’s what graduates from Concordia University Irvine’s Teaching Credential Program are saying.

Examinations and Assessments

There are several examinations and assessments required of you on your journey to becoming a teacher. These are both state and federal requirements.

Test requirements At-a-Glance

Special Education	Multiple Subject	Single Subject	Out of Major
CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test) www.ctcemxams.nesinc.com and select “CBEST”
Full passage of the CBEST is required before admission to all of the Teacher Credential Programs
CSET ((California Subject Examinations for Teachers) www.ctcexams.nesinc.com and select “CSET”
Passage, previous attempt or proof of registration for first testing date of the semester (Sept, January, May)	Passage, previous attempt or proof of registration for first testing date of the semester (Sept, January, May)	Passage, previous attempt or proof of registration for first testing date of the semester (Sept, January, May) Single Subject candidates who completed a state- approved subject matter preparation program are exempt	Full passage required before admission to Teacher Credential Program
Full passage of all subtests BEFORE Student Teaching
RICA (Reading Instruction Competence Assessment) www.rica.nesinc.com/ and select “CSET”
Take this exam AFTER you have completed EDSP 560. You must successfully pass this exam before you can apply for your credential	Take this exam AFTER you have completed EDUC 560. You must successfully pass this exam before you can apply for your credential	This exam is not required for obtaining a single subject credential You are Exempt!	RICA is required to obtain a multiple subject or special education credential.
CalTPA (California Teaching Performance Assessment) http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/TPA-California-candidates.html/ and select “CSET”
Tasks 1 and 2 completed semester before student teaching Tasks 3 and 4 completed in Student Teaching You must successfully pass all TPAs before you can apply for your preliminary credential.

*Candidates are considered “Out of Major” if their undergraduate major does not match the subject area they are going to teach. Here are two examples: A candidate may be a Chemistry major, but is going for a secondary credential in History; or the candidate may be an Art major who plans to go for a Multiple Subject Elementary Credential. As the coursework does not match the test the candidate is required to take, the candidate will be required to pass the CSET before admittance to the Teacher Education Program.

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Get started on submitting your application for admission today. Applications received after February 15 are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Fall Deadlines to Apply
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Early Action II	Feb. 15
Rolling	Aug. 15

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