bachelor's master's
Online teacher preparation program
Ready to take the next step into a career in education? Look no further!
Concordia's MDE-approved teacher preparation program allows you to earn both your Michigan Teacher Certification and your degree in one convenient online program. Choose between our two pathways based on your educational background:
Fully Online
Accelerated
8-week courses streamline your program completion and graduation.
Undergraduate and graduate pathways
Affordable
All my professors throughout this program have been wonderful. Even though my classes were online, my professors have been very available; I’ve been able to contact them and receive quick responses. And they provided coursework that was engaging and applicable to real life.
Find the information you need
Bachelor's Pathway
Total Credits
120Graduate
3 yearsGraduate
Clinicals
You'll be required to complete 245 hours of clinical classroom observation and apprenticeship experiences during your first through 5th semester. You'll learn skills, strategies, and best practices to utilize in the classroom.
Concordia is happy to help you in finding a clinical placement! A background check is required at the beginning of your clinical hours and prior to student teaching.
Student Teaching
After completion of your clinical hours, you'll be required to complete 450 hours of student teaching during your sixth and final semester.
Your supervising educator must have a minimum of four years of successful teaching, the last two of which should be at the school where they are presently teaching.
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 84 credits from a previous institution for your undergraduate degree.
Lutheran Teacher Diploma
For an additional 4 credits, students may add-on a Lutheran Teacher Diploma.
Cost per credit
$490Affording your Michigan teacher certification
Academic and community scholarships
Financial Aid and convenient payment plans
Affording your Michigan teacher certification
Talent Together
CUAA has partnered with the Talent Together program so you can earn your degree for free!
Fill out the form on the main page to learn more.
Uncommon Scholarships
Concordia offers Uncommon Scholarships to help bring this investment in your future within reach. These scholarships, which range from $150-$500 per three-credit course, are available for:
- Concordia alumni
- Employees of our corporate and academic partners (including various healthcare systems)
- Employees of qualifying Christian churches and schools
- Veterans and dependents
Payment Plans
Concordia's payment plan allows you to break tuition into automatic monthly payments, making budgeting for your new career a reality.
Tuition Reimbursement
Additionally, your employer/district may offer tuition reimbursement, minimizing the cost to you. Ask your HR department if you are eligible.
Financial Aid
Qualifying students may be eligible for Federal Aid. When you fill out the FAFSA make sure to select Concordia University Ann Arbor. Our FAFSA code is: 002247
Post-baccalaureate program
Earn your master's degree + MI teacher certification
Looking for a career shift? If you've already earned a bachelor's degree in a subject area, you can combine your Michigan Teacher Certification with your master's degree in curriculum and instruction (MSCI) at Concordia.
Customize your grade band and/or content area(s) by choosing lower or upper elementary or secondary education, or a combination of your choice!
Is your passion to teach young children? Customizing your Michigan Teaching Certificate in elementary education will prepare you as a master educator, prepared to teach age-appropriate curriculum for either lower or upper elementary students. Can't decide? No worries. *You may choose to earn certifications to teach both elementary grade band levels!
Elementary education grade bands
- Lower elementary (PreK - grade 3)
- Upper elementary (Grade 3 - grade 6)
*Two additional courses are required for graduate students interested in adding an additional grade band to their teacher certification.
**Undergraduate students will earn a certification for PreK-6th grade
Do you desire to become a middle school or high school teacher and you have prior knowledge in a content area you are passionate about teaching? A Michigan Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education may be the perfect fit for you! Choose the grade band(s) you are interested in teaching, and be prepared to pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Competency (MTTC) before you begin your student teaching.
Secondary education grade bands
- Middle secondary (grade 5 - grade 9)
- Upper secondary (grade 7 - grade 12)
*Two additional courses are required for educators interested in teaching in an additional grade band.
**Secondary ed certifications are only available for graduate students.
Secondary education certification options
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Music (K-12)
- Physical Education/Health (K-12)
*Secondary students may also choose to add an English as a Second Language (K-12) or Special Education Learning Disabilities (K-12) certification to their chosen content area once they have passed the MTTC exam. In order to add a Special Education Learning Disabilities certification, students must take an additional 20 hours of coursework.
Master's Pathway
Total Credits
30Graduate
in 1 year + student teaching
Graduate
Teaching Clinicals
You'll be required to complete 600 hours of clinical experience in order to be certified - which includes a minimum of 12 weeks of student teaching.
Michigan Test for Teacher Competency
The MTTC exam must be passed before you begin student teaching. Please note, CUAA's program solely prepares you for the educational portion of teacher certification. Content competency is the responsibility of the teacher candidate.
Informational Webinar
Watch our informational on-demand webinar. Get a taste of our master's degree and teacher certification program. Meet the program director, graduate admissions counselors, and get answers to common FAQs.