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School of Education

Dean: Dr. Heather Vezner
Assistant Dean: Dr. Kellie Albrecht

Purpose Statement

Mission: To prepare servant leaders who transform lives through innovative and exceptional educational practices to positively impact local and global communities.

Vision: To be a distinguished School of Education that attracts, equips, and supports candidates aspiring to become wise and honorable servant leaders in education.

Core Values: The School of Education pursues excellence in:

  • Christ-like Service

    • Loving, dignified, respectful

  • Personalized Attention

    • Relational, supportive, authentic

  • Effective Communication

    • Timely, accurate, clear

  • Stellar instruction and relevant curriculum

    • Scholarly, practice-based, innovative

  • Community and Alumni Partnerships

    • Strategic, reciprocal, collaborative

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Co-Directors: Dr. Michael Schulteis and Dr. Rebecca Stanton

Minors

Teacher Credential Programs (undergraduate level)

Director: Dr. Rebecca Stanton

  • Elementary Education: program

  • Secondary Education: program

    • The single subject credential areas Concordia offers are: Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Foreign Language (case by case basis), Foundational Mathematics, Foundational Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Social Sciences, and Theatre .

  • Special Education: program

  • Dual Credential: program

  • Dual Credential: program

Lutheran Teaching Certification

Director: Dr. Cari Chittick

Candidates interested in pursuing a Lutheran teaching credential should contact Christ College Ministry Programs or the Director of Lutheran Teaching Programs.

Lutheran Teaching Ministry Certification requires

  • Membership in a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

  • Completion of the Lutheran Teaching minor and all other Lutheran Teaching program requirements.

  • Completion of all professional preparation requirements for the Teacher Education Program, including successful student teaching.

Masters Degrees

Doctoral Degree (EdD)

  • program

    Senior Director: Dr. Kellie Albrecht

Certificate Programs

Teacher Credential Programs (postbaccalaureate level)

Concordia University Irvine's credential programs meet all requirements put forth by the State of California and are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Additionally, the university is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and College (WASC).

Students and other interested parties may review accreditation documents by visiting their website.

The Teacher Credential Programs prepare multiple and single subject and special education teacher candidates who demonstrate knowledge of theory and practice by making informed decisions leading to exemplary instruction for all learners. Candidates may apply for the preliminary credential through the School of Education. Students with this credential are certified to teach in California schools for up to 5 years. There are two levels of teaching credentials in California: Preliminary Credentials and Clear Teacher Credential (Induction).

Preliminary Credentials
California schools of education prepare candidates for the preliminary credential. Candidates apply for this credential through their school of education. With this credential, a student is certified to teach in California schools for up to five years.

  • Multiple Subject

    • The program allows the candidate to teach all the subjects in a self-contained (K-8) classroom.

  • Single Subject

    • The program is for teachers who desire to teach one subject to groups of students at the high school or middle school levels. The single subject credential areas Concordia offers are: Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Foreign Language (case by case basis), Foundational Mathematics, Foundational Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Social Sciences, and Theatre .

  • Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Support Needs

    • The program 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, other health impairments, traumatic brain injury, emotional disturbance, and autism spectrum disorders. Please consult the Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Support Needs Credential Handbook for program information

  • Administrative Services

    • The program is for students desiring to become administrators. Completion of this 24-unit program will allow students to file through Concordia's Credential Analyst for a Preliminary Administrative Credential with CTC. Students desiring to apply to this program must have a Clear Teaching Credential and have completed two years of successful full-time teaching experience. Full-time service means service for at least a minimum day for 75% of the total days in the school year. Substitute part-time service does not apply.

  • Dual Credential: Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs

    • The program is for teachers who desire to complete coursework for two credentials. We offer a path for completing both a general education and a special education credential concurrently.

  • Dual Credential: Single Subject and Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs

    • The program is for teachers who desire to complete coursework for two credentials. We offer a path for completing both a general education and a special education credential concurrently.

Clear Teacher Credential (Induction)

To qualify, the teacher candidate must hold a Preliminary credential, be employed under that credential authorization, either part-time or full-time, and complete an Induction program through their hiring district, a county office of education, or an institute of higher education. Concordia offers a Teacher Induction program (program). After successfully completing this program, candidates will be eligible to apply for their Clear Teacher Credential. Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist credentials are all served through Concordia's program. Concordia also offers coursework leading to a Lutheran teacher certificate. Program and course requirements for this certificate are outlined and described in the General Undergraduate Catalog.

Credential Add Ons

Field Experience

A credential program is much more than face-to-face or online coursework. Candidates must observe and participate in the teaching process. Concordia has designed field experiences to help you gain hands-on experience in teaching. These experiences begin with observation hours and culminate in full-time student teaching under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor. Field experiences are detailed in the School of Education Teaching Credential Handbook.

Handbooks