Concordia College has added two direct licensure pathways in its Master of Education programs: Teaching & Learning and Master of Education in World Language Instruction. Both programs provide current and prospective K-12 educators with in-depth, relevant coursework leading to a deeper understanding of current teaching methods. Classes for both begin in June.
Teaching & Learning
As part of the Master of Education with a concentration in Teaching & Learning, students seeking licensure will take the required undergraduate education courses needed for licensure in chemistry, language arts-communications, life science, math, PE-health, or social studies.
The courses are designed to prepare teachers to sit for the National Board Certification. They are also a great opportunity for people looking to become educators, said program director Dr. Cassandra Glynn.
“We’ve seen people who’ve been working in engineering and they want to go into the classroom, work with young people, and get them excited about math and science,” Glynn said.
The online program is customizable to meet an individual’s needs, including a flexible start date.
Learn more about this Master of Education program. Discounts are available for Concordia alumni and Concordia Language Villages employees.
World Language Instruction
Concordia is also now offering a teaching licensure pathway through the Master of Education in World Language Instruction for Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Arabic, Hmong, Somali, and Karen.
Minnesota is home to some of the largest concentrations of Karen-speaking, Hmong, and Somali populations.
Concordia is the first school in Minnesota to provide a licensure for Karen, a language spoken by people in the regions of Burma and Thailand. The college is one of only two Minnesota institutions to license for Hmong and Somali.
Glynn said programs like this can help support speakers of these languages, as well as help teachers better connect with students.
“A lot of students in Minnesota are second- and third-generation immigrants. We don’t want to see them lose that part of their heritage,” Glynn said. “What I love is that we can help sustain and acknowledge the cultures and languages that we have in our schools.”
Applicants with an advanced-low proficiency, who identify as native speakers or heritage speakers of the languages listed above, may have an undergraduate degree in any content area. It is a two-year virtual program with a 10-day, immersion experience (once per summer) at the renowned Concordia Language Villages, a program of Concordia College, near Bemidji, Minn.
Learn more about the Master of Education in World Language Instruction program.