Program Requirements

Carthage’s ACT/M.Ed. is a cohort-model program with rolling enrollment, so you can start the program at any time. Choose to complete just the ACT or continue on to earn your M.Ed.
All courses are on weeknights with once-a-month Saturday seminars from 8 a.m. to noon.
Upon admission, students in Carthage’s Accelerated Teaching Certification program will take courses over three 7-week sessions (sessions A, B, and C). The ACT program has rolling enrollment, so you can start classes anytime! After completing all three sessions, students will then apply for certification.
There are two tracks for ACT students: the secondary education track and the special education track.
ACT: Secondary Education Track
Students in the secondary education track will be licensed to teach in one or more of the following areas:
Art, broadfield science (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics), economics, English, geography, history, modern languages (e.g., French, Spanish), math, music, physical education, political science, sociology, speech communications, and theatre.
Session A — Summer |
EDU 5540 Developmental Reading Instruction |
Session B — Fall* |
EDU 5282 Culturally Responsive Instruction EDU 5120 Urban Issues in Education |
Session C — Spring* |
EDU 5060 Foundations of Education EDU 5570 Classroom Management and Conflict Resolution |
* Sessions B and C include EDU 5560 Field Experience (Student Teaching) and EDU 5001 Saturday Seminar (once per month).
ACT: Special Education Track
Session A — Summer |
EDU 5540 Developmental Reading Instruction EDU 5450 Characteristics and Assessment of Exceptional Learners EDU 5520 Development and Content Area Reading EDU 5820 Introduction to Child Psychology |
Session B — Fall* | EDU 5282 Culturally Responsive Instruction |
Session C — Spring* | EDU 5060 Foundations of Education EDU 5120 Urban Issues in Education EDU 5454 Collaboration with Parents and Professionals |
*Sessions B and C include EDU 5560 Field Experience (Student Teaching) and EDU 5001 Saturday Seminar (once per month).
Optional: Master of Education Track
Students interested in pursuing their M.Ed. would also complete the M.Ed. session.
After completing sessions A, B, and C of the ACT program and applying for certification, students interested in pursuing their M.Ed. will then complete a final session:
M.Ed. Session |
EDU 5110 Curricular Issues EDU 5249 Research Paradigms in Educational Settings Choose One: EDU 5550 Master’s Degree Capstone Experience EDU 5950 Comprehensive Exam |
Teaching candidates who want to apply for licensure in states other than Wisconsin should notify the teacher education advisor as soon as possible. It is the student’s responsibility to know the requirements in the desired state.*
If particular requirements cannot be met at Carthage, the advisor can help the candidate find alternatives. Our jurisdiction will issue a three-year provisional license that can lead to a lifetime license.
* ACT candidates can refer to the State-by-State Reciprocity Rules Chart for more information on out-of-state teacher certification.