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.
Summer Session I |
EDU 5850 Child and Adolescent Development Psychology |
Summer Session II |
EDU 5520 Development and Content Area Reading in Secondary Schools EDU 5450 Characteristics and Assessment of Learners with Exceptionalities |
Fall Session I |
EDU 5560 Field Placement (no class time) EDU 5001 Seminar/Portfolio Development EDU 5282 Culturally Responsive Instruction EDU 5451 Academic and Behavioral Interventions for Learners with Exceptionalities (Elementary) |
Fall Session II |
EDU 5452 Academic and Behavioral Interventions for Learners with Exceptionalities EDU 5120 Urban Issues in Education |
Spring Session I |
EDU 5560 Field Placement (clinical experience at an elementary, middle, or high school) EDU 5001 Seminar/Portfolio Development EDU 5060 Foundations of Education EDU 5453 Instructional and Assistive Technology for Learners with Exceptionalities |
Spring Session II |
EDU 5281 English Language Learner: Methods and Study in Education EDU 5454 Collaboration with Parents and Professionals |
* Fall and spring sessions include EDU 5560 Field Experience (Student Teaching) and EDU 5001 Saturday Seminar (once per month).
ACT: Special Education Track
Summer Session I |
EDU 5820 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology EDU 5540 Developmental Reading Instruction |
Summer Session II |
EDU 5520 Development and Content Area Reading in Secondary Schools EDU 5450 Characteristics and Assessment of Learners with Exceptionalities |
Fall Session I |
EDU 5560 Field Placement (no class time) EDU 5451 Academic and Behavioral Interventions for Learners with Exceptionalities (Elementary) EDU 5001 Seminar/Portfolio Development EDU 5282 Culturally Responsive Instruction EDU 5453 Instructional and Assistive Technology for Learners with Exceptionalities |
Fall Session II | EDU 5452 Academic and Behavior Interventions for Learners with Exceptionalities (Secondary) |
Spring Session I | EDU 5560 Field Placement (clinical experience at an elementary, middle or HS) |
Spring Session II | EDU 5281 English Language Learner: Methods and Study in Education |
Fall and spring sessions 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. sessions.
Summer Session |
EDU 5110 Curricular Issues EDU 5249 Research Paradigms in Education Research |
Fall Session |
EDU 5550 Master’s Degree Capstone Experience OR EDU 5950 Master’s Comprehensive Exam |
Additional Session (as needed) |
EDU 5990 Master’s Degree Capstone Completion |
ACT (Teacher Certification) with Master of Education Completion
After completion of the teacher certification courses, participants in Accelerated Certification for Teachers may choose to continue their Carthage studies in pursuit of a Master of Education degree. The following additional courses are required for the master’s degree:
ACT Session | EDU 5249 Research Paradigms in Education Research EDU 5550 Master’s Degree Capstone Experience OR EDU 5950 Master’s Comprehensive Exam |
Additional Session (as needed) | EDU 5990 Master’s Degree Capstone Completion |
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.