Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education - English and Language Arts (MI Certification)
A 3-year path to become a certified Michigan English and language arts teacher with a bachelor’s degree.
Earn your bachelor’s degree and Michigan teacher certification in either grades 5 to 9 or grades 7 to 12
Earn your secondary education English and language arts teaching certification in as little as three years. Begin with online courses that build a strong foundation in teaching, then gain hands-on experience through classroom observation and student teaching. This program prepares you to teach English and language arts at the middle (grades 5 to 9) or upper (grades 7 to 12) levels.
This program has multiple start dates during the fall, spring, and summer trimesters
Self-paced online courses are conducted in 8-week sessions.
Questions? We’re here to help
Our team is available to help you as you consider the next step in your education.
Online courses
The online courses will introduce you to the fundamental theories of education and build your practical knowledge in English and language arts of secondary education.
Clinical experiences
These experiences “in the field” or “in the classroom” are an integral part to earning your certification to teach in a private or public Michigan school district.
You will need to complete the required observational hours in classrooms watching current teachers to learn specific skills, strategies, and learning practices. These observational experiences will start in your first semester and go through your fifth semester. Student teaching will take place during your final semester of this accelerated program. You will student teach in an eligible school and meet regularly with Concordia faculty and your cooperating teacher to track progress and receive feedback.
Please note that a background check is required at the beginning of your first clinical and again prior to student teaching. You will work with faculty to locate a mentor teacher that meets the following requirements. This educator needs to have been teaching for a minimum of four years with the last two years at the school they are currently teaching.- Online courses are in 8-week sessions
- Acceptances into the program occur throughout the year
- Multiple start dates exist during the spring, summer, and fall semesters
- Complete 150 hours of clinical experiences
- Complete 450 hours of student teaching
- Accept up to 84 transfer credits
- Option to earn a Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD) with additional credits
You may apply at any point in the year. No need to wait. Concordia operates on a rolling admission basis with new courses beginning every 8 weeks. This program begins cohorts in early July and early January. Applications are reviewed until about 2 weeks before the start date.
Steps for program admission:
- Submit your online undergraduate application by selecting “Elementary Education – Bachelor's Degree“ as the academic program.
- We help guide you through: You will receive communication from your helpful Admission Counselor about next steps, entrance requirements, and how to submit supplemental materials.
- Review entrance requirements and submit admissions pieces:
- Cumulative undergrad GPA of 2.75 for full acceptance. *If GPA lower than 2.75, students must meet with Dr. Adam Paape, Program Director, to discuss GPA and the GPA requirements for student teaching and standardized exams information.
- Official transcripts
- Any other necessary application materials
- Acceptance! When your application file is complete, it will be reviewed by the department and you will be notified of entrance status.
- Fill out application for Uncommon Scholarships, if you qualify
- Once in the program: Students are required to do a background check upon acceptance to begin the practicum in semester 1. Students will be given the information for the background check up acceptance.
