The Master of Arts in Christian Education is designed for the student whose primary work is in the area of Christian education in a parish setting. The objectives of the program are to:
- Enrich the student’s theological foundations.
- Hone and refine the student’s educational philosophy.
- Improve the student’s skills in areas of ministry in which the student would like to focus.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the time of requesting a program change.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- Have a minimum of 12 undergraduate or graduate semester hours in the field of parish education or parish leadership.
- Have a minimum of 12 hours of theology or equivalent, including a course in basic Christian doctrine, in New Testament and in Old Testament studies.
- Complete a personal profile essay of approximately 750 words written under supervision. The essay is to include a description of ministry experience, ministry style and philosophy, recognized needs to be met through the degree, and a personal statement of faith.
- Submit two letters of recommendation (academic proficiency, personal character, competence in professional ministry), one of which must be from a church professional.
- Previous coursework and life experience of the student will be evaluated to determine if additional hours will be needed. Students who complete the program will be awarded a Master of Arts in Christian Education.
Track One
This track is for students seeking a Master of Arts in Christian Education. Most typically these students will be already rostered as DCEs in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.
Program Requirements
Complete 33 semester hours of coursework as indicated including the Master’s Capstone Experience.
Required Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Theological Foundations | 6 | |
Select one course that is a Biblical Studies(B) course, and one course that is either systematic theology(S), historical theology(H) or religious education(RE) from the following: | ||
Psalms (B-OT) | ||
Messianic Prophecies (B-OT) | ||
The Parables of Jesus (B-NT) | ||
The General Epistles (B-NT) | ||
Lutheran Confessional Theology (S) | ||
Baptism and Eucharist (S, CS) | ||
Early Christian Fathers (H) | ||
Topics in the History of Christianity (H) | ||
Martin Luther (H, S) | ||
The Christian in Society (CS) | ||
Moral, Ethical and Spiritual Development of the Child (RE) | ||
Educational Foundations | 6 | |
Select two of the following: | ||
Classroom Teaching Skills | ||
Early Childhood Curriculum and Content, Ages 3-5 | ||
Infant and Toddler Curriculum | ||
Child, Family and Multicultural Community | ||
Curriculum Construction | ||
Additional Required Courses | 15 | |
Youth Ministry Theory and Practice | ||
Practicum in Christian Education (serves are capstone experience) | ||
Independent Study in Christian Education (6 credit hours) | ||
Foundations of Christian Education | ||
Electives | 6 | |
Elective courses may be selected from the field of education, theology, behavioral science or music 1 | ||
Total Hours | 33 |
- 1
Some courses taken by undergraduate students for DCE certification are offered as graduate-level courses. Students may not take a course at the graduate level if they already have taken it at the undergraduate level.
Track Two
This track is for students seeking a Master of Arts degree and Certification as Director of Christian Education in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Students in Track Two must be members in a congregation of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. This program combines the master’s degree and the LCMS-DCE certification requirements. Students holding LCMS-DCE certification are not eligible for Track Two.
Program Requirements
- Complete the 18 hours of prescribed graduate courses,
- The six-hour internship, and
- The 29-hour DCE core as indicated, including the Master’s Capstone Experience.
A maximum of 15 graduate-level hours from the DCE core may be applied to the 39-hour requirement. Transferability of coursework toward the DCE core is not limited by the graduate policy on transfer credit; however, the graduate policy on transfer credit does apply to the 39 hours of graduate-level courses.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
DCE Core 1 | 24 | |
Foundations of DCE Ministry | ||
Administration of Parish Education | ||
Youth Ministry Theory and Practice | ||
Church Leadership and Development | ||
Parish Teaching I | ||
Parish Teaching II | ||
Interpersonal Skills for the Helping Professions | ||
Ministry to the Family | ||
Theological Foundations | 6 | |
Select one course that is a Biblical Studies(B) course and one course that is either systematic theology(S), historical theology(H) or religious education(RE) from the following: | ||
Psalms (B-OT) | ||
Messianic Prophecies (B-OT) | ||
The Parables of Jesus (B-NT) | ||
The General Epistles (B-NT) | ||
Lutheran Confessional Theology (S) | ||
Baptism and Eucharist (S, CS) | ||
Early Christian Fathers (H) | ||
Topics in the History of Christianity (H) | ||
Martin Luther (H, S) | ||
The Christian in Society (CS) | ||
Moral, Ethical and Spiritual Development of the Child (RE) | ||
Spiritual Maturity and the Adult Life Cycle | ||
Educational Foundations | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
Early Childhood Curriculum and Content, Ages 3-5 | ||
Infant and Toddler Curriculum | ||
Child, Family and Multicultural Community | ||
Classroom Teaching Skills | ||
Curriculum Construction | ||
Required Courses | 6 | |
Parish Education Leadership | ||
Practicum in Christian Education (This practicum serves as the capstone experience.) | ||
Internship | 12 | |
Internship in Christian Ed (six hours each semester for two semesters) 2 | ||
Theology Requirement | ||
To be certified, students must have completed at either an undergraduate or graduate level at least one course in each of the four following areas: | ||
Old Testament | ||
New Testament | ||
Lutheran Doctrine | ||
Church History | ||
Total Hours | 51 |
- 1
Up to 14 hours of the DCE core may be taken at an undergraduate level. If a student has more than 14 hours of DCE core courses at the undergraduate level, the student needs to substitute graduate-level theology, education, leadership or psychology courses for those hours.
- 2
The internship consists of working full-time in a parish for 12 months. If the student is presently serving in a church, the internship can be taken at that site and be a part of the normal ministry. If student is not serving presently in a parish, an appropriate internship site will be found for the candidate.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application as a degree-seeking graduate student.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, thesis or dissertation.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- Approval of the faculty.
- Payments of all tuition and fees due to Concordia University Chicago. All holds must be removed to receive transcripts and diploma.
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.