The University considers candidates for admission who demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a program of study. Candidates must exhibit attitudes, values and character that will positively contribute to the University’s mission and environment.

High school seniors are encouraged to apply during the first semester of their senior year. Students are admitted for the fall or spring terms only.

Concordia University Chicago reviews applications on a rolling basis. An offer of admission that is made to an applicant before the completion of the final term carries with it the understanding that the candidate will successfully complete that term of study. The University reserves the right to withdraw the offer of admission if the final report on the candidate is unsatisfactory.

Enrollment Deposit

An enrollment deposit of $100, non-refundable after May 1, is required of all new degree-seeking undergraduate students and is applied in full to the tuition upon completion of course registration.

Admission requirements are outlined on the following pages; however, the Undergraduate Admission Committee reserves the right to request additional information or documentation to evaluate applicants for admission, e.g. supplemental references, personal interview, additional testing, etc.

Freshman Applicants

The following are RECOMMENDED guidelines to be considered for admission as a freshman applicant:

• An official high school transcript showing a cumulative high school grade-point average of at least 2.00 (4.00 scale) for 15 units (one unit=one year) of credit in a college preparatory curriculum at a regionally accredited high school including:
• English - 4 units
• Mathematics - 3 units including one unit each of algebra and geometry or equivalent (totaling 3 units)
• Science - 2 units including at least one lab science course from biology, chemistry, physics or equivalent
• Social Science - 2 units

A final, official high school transcript with graduation date, or written documentation of successful completion of the GED, HiSet or TASC, must be submitted prior to enrollment to fulfill University, federal and state requirements.

Transfer Applicants 

Applicants who have successfully completed 15 or more semester hours of college-level credit are considered transfer applicants. The following are recommended guidelines to be considered for admission in this category:

• Official transcripts of all college coursework from every post-secondary institution attended (this includes non-regionally accredited institutions), regardless of credits earned.
• A minimum cumulative college grade-point average of 2.00 (4.00 scale) for all prior college coursework and evidence of good academic standing at the last higher education institution attended.
• An official high school transcript if the college from which credit was earned does not have full regional accreditation.

In addition to the above requirements, transfer applicants who have successfully completed fewer than 15 semester hours of college coursework must submit a final, official high school transcript with graduation date, or written documentation of successful completion of the GED, HiSet or TASC, to be considered for admission.

Transfer students who leave a college under any circumstance other than good standing may be required to submit a written statement explaining their prior academic difficulty and why they expect to be academically successful at Concordia University Chicago. In addition, CUC reserves the right to arrange an interview with a designated University staff member to discuss the prior academic performance. Furthermore, the university may request permission to speak with the Dean of Students at the former institution regarding the candidate for admission.

The University reserves the right to determine the number and type of transfer credits accepted toward the student’s degree. The last two years of college work should be at the upper division level (general junior and senior-level courses). No more than 67 semester hours (100 quarter hours) of lower-division transfer credit from a junior/community college and/or senior college/university will be counted toward graduation, unless the student is participating in a recognized articulation agreement that allows for additional credit to be transferred. Please note that any AP or CLEP credit counts toward the 67 semester-hour limit.

One-half of all the credit hours in each major must be completed in residence. At least 32 semester hours of study at Concordia-Chicago are required to meet residency requirements, preferably the last year before graduation. A CUC student’s cumulative grade-point average is calculated solely on courses taken at Concordia-Chicago. Transfer work is received as credit but not factored into the student’s cumulative GPA.

Illinois Articulation Initiative

Concordia University Chicago is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed Illinois General Education Core Curriculum between participating institutions. Completion of the transferable General Education Core Curriculum at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that lower-division general education requirements for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree have been satisfied, excluding graduation and mission-related requirements. This agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree-granting institution as a first-time freshman in summer 1998 and thereafter. More information about the IAI is available at www.itansfer.org.

Home School Applicants

Recognizing that not all students are educated in the same way, Concordia University Chicago welcomes applicants who have been educated through home schooling. To be considered for admission, home-schooled students must present the following:

• An official transcript of all work completed
• A course syllabus and/or bibliography of materials studied for each course
• A statement of purpose from the director regarding the home school
• A certificate of completion or diploma from the home school 
• Official transcripts of any college coursework from every college/university attended regardless of credits earned

A final, official high school transcript with graduation date, or written documentation of successful completion of the GED, HiSet or TASC, must be submitted prior to enrollment to fulfill University, federal and state requirements.

Home-schooled students will be expected to have completed at least the same academic course pattern required of traditionally educated students:

• English – 4 units
• Mathematics – 3 units including one unit each of algebra and geometry or equivalent (totaling 3 units)
• Science - 2 units including at least one lab science course from biology, chemistry, physics, or equivalent
• Social Science – 2 units
• Additional college preparatory courses – a minimum of four additional units

A final, official high school transcript with graduation date, or written documentation of successful completion of the GED, HiSet or TASC, must be submitted prior to enrollment to fulfill University, federal and state requirements.

Final, official transcripts for any college-level work (if applicable) must be submitted prior to enrollment

Conditional Admission or Fresh Start

Conditional Admission: Students who do not meet the regular  admission requirements may be considered for admission to the Fall Semester only at the discretion of the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment, in collaboration with the Committee for Admission and Academic Progress. The terms of admission will be stipulated individually for each student and outlined in the admission notification letter. All conditionally admitted students must comply with the stated requirements articulated in their admission agreement. Further, conditionally admitted students will be reviewed at the end of their first semester by the Committee for Admission and Academic Progress to monitor their academic progress. More information regarding conditional admission criteria may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Fresh Start Status may be awarded to students with previous college credit who have not been in attendance at any college or university for a minimum of three years, and due to their prior academic record would not meet regular admission standards. Such an applicant must submit the following to the Office of Undergraduate Admission:

• A written statement of explanation for the prior academic difficulty and why the student expects to be successful in collegiate study at Concordia University Chicago
• An official high school transcript complete with date of graduation, or written documentation of successful completion of the GED, HiSet or TASC. 
• Official transcripts of all college coursework, regardless of credit hours earned
• A written recommendation from a professor, counselor or other professional (not a friend or relative) qualified to comment on the applicant’s academic background and character
• A written recommendation from the applicant’s current employer

Fresh Start students will be limited to a maximum course load of 12-14 credit hours per semester. Upon completion of at least 12 semester hours at CUC with a GPA of 2.25 or higher, the course load restriction will be lifted.

College coursework of transfer students admitted under the Fresh Start status will be evaluated according to the transfer student policies. Former Concordia University Chicago students who are readmitted under the Fresh Start status will receive credit for earlier coursework completed at Concordia-Chicago. These courses will not be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA; an evaluation will also be done to determine which credits may apply toward the degree. Fresh Start students may apply for financial assistance.  

International Student Applicants

All applicants are required to meet the regular admission standards listed. In addition, the following are required of all international applicants:

• Proof of English Proficiency: 72 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), 6.0 on Password Skills, Michigan test score of at least 85, or successful completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language School (ELS) or certificate of Completion of Program from an English Language Institute (ELI), along with a recommendation of the program director, or King George International College (KGIC) English for Post-Secondary Education (EPE) final proficiency test scores of 75% with a passing class score of 80 will also be accepted for language proficiency.
• If the applicant has graduated from or will graduate from a U.S. high school prior to enrollment,  no additional proof of English Proficiency is necessary.
• An international applicant who has completed at least 15 transferrable, college-level college credits  from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university may be exempt from the English proficiency standards listed above. The student must transfer directly to Concordia-Chicago from that institution without taking an academic term off (other than a summer session) between the last semester of attendance at that institution and enrollment at Concordia University Chicago.
• Certified English translations of all transcripts originally prepared in any other language. (The student will be responsible for having the English translations evaluated by a professional transcript evaluator as determined by the University if the institution is not accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting body).
• Proof of graduation from a secondary school.
• A certified document guaranteeing adequate financial support for at least the student’s first year of study and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, adequate funding from the same or an equally dependable source for subsequent years.
• For students transferring from a school in the United States—a transfer verification form.
• A physical exam, adequate medical insurance and proof of immunization are required prior to enrollment

The undergraduate admission office must receive all documents at least two months prior to the expected term of enrollment. I-20 forms will be issued only after acceptance is granted and will remain in effect only for those who continue to make satisfactory progress as full-time students in an accepted program. The program length may vary for each student.

Received Document Policy

The undergraduate admission office does not release received documents such as transcripts, college entrance exam scores, etc., that have become the property of Concordia University Chicago. Since Concordia-Chicago is not the official, legal custodian of record for any documents that did not originate at the institution, the office does not have the appropriate authority to release them. Therefore, please contact the originating institution or organization that produced the original records in order to obtain such documents.

Guest Student Applicants apply through the Registrar Office as Non-Degree seeking 

Guest students fall under six categories:

1. Students in good standing from another college or university who wish to take coursework at Concordia University Chicago and transfer such work back to their primary institution
2. Students interested in taking courses to meet course deficiencies for teacher certification as prescribed by the state
3. Students pursuing a non-degree seeking track who wish to take courses for the purpose of personal enrichment and/or for employment promotion opportunities
4. High school students enrolled in college-level courses
5. Students enrolled in the 55+ Program
6. Employees of Concordia University Chicago who desire a non-degree seeking track

Category 1: The student must submit to the Registrar’s Office proof of enrollment as a student in good standing from the primary institution via an official transcript OR a letter of verification from the Registrar’s Office in order to be considered for admission. All prerequisite courses must be met or the approval by chair is needed.

Category 2: The student must submit a copy of the deficiency statement issued by the state of Illinois to the Registrar’s Office to be considered for admission.

Category 3: The student can find information on course availability at the Registrar’s Office and must provide official transcripts from all previous higher education institutions attended.

Category 4: The high school student must be of senior status and have written approval from the high school’s counselor and/or principal.

Category 5: The student must be at least 55+ years old. Those admitted under the status of guest student can find information on course availability at the Registrar’s Office. 55+ students taking classes for audit must declare this when they register and pay a discounted rate. The course being taken must be an auditable course.

Category 6: The employee must complete the Guest Student Application and verify high school graduation or successful completion of the GED. Employees seeking degree or certification programs must apply through the appropriate admission office.

Guest students may take up to 18 hours per semester. No financial assistance is available for guest students because they are not seeking a degree. Degree-seeking students will be given preference for courses with limited enrollment. All prerequisites must be met or the approval of the chair is needed.

Second Bachelor’s Degree Applicants

To be considered for admission for a second bachelor’s degree, the student must submit official transcripts of all college coursework from every college/university attended, regardless of credit hours earned, including designation regarding the type of degree and date conferred.

A student holding a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution may be permitted to receive a second bachelor’s degree from Concordia-Chicago provided that:

1. All specific requirements for Concordia University Chicago’s degree are met.
2. Coursework required for the second degree includes at least 32 hours beyond the first degree.
3. Residency requirements be met as follows: CUC graduates—16 of the additional minimum 32 hours must be in residence and six hours must be taken within five years prior to completing graduation requirements for the second degree. Graduates of other colleges—the final 32 hours must be taken in residency and six hours must be taken within five years prior to completing graduation requirements for the second degree.
4. Only courses acceptable toward the degree sought may be counted to meet minimum residency requirements.

All fees for a second undergraduate degree will be assessed at the undergraduate level.

All students planning a second degree must have the program approved by the Dean of the respective college per the course of study being followed.

Limited financial assistance in the form of educational loans (if eligible) is available to students pursuing a second baccalaureate degree. Students pursuing a church professional major may be eligible for a church professional grant or LCMS district grant.   

Admission to Professional Programs

Admission to Concordia University Chicago does not imply admission to all its specified programs such as teacher education, Director of Christian Education, deaconess, nursing or social work. Academic programs and colleges have specific requirements, set by the state of Illinois or the University, which must be met at different semester levels. Please refer to the specific program guidelines under the program section of this catalog for clarification of individual program requirements.

Concordia University Chicago/Resurrection University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (Joint Degree Program)
Nursing Admission Requirements at Concordia-Chicago for Freshmen Students

The nursing program, in partnership with Resurrection University, is a competitive admission program for selected incoming freshmen students. To be considered for admission, freshman applicants must meet the minimum specialized requirements:

1. Minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.75/4.0 in all high school coursework
2. Minimum grade point average of 2.75/4.0 in all high school science courses (recommended courses include biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology).
3. Grade of C or better in all natural science high school coursework
4. Minimum grade-point average of 2.75/4.0 in all high school mathematics courses (recommended courses include algebra, geometry, algebra II and trigonometry).
5. Grade of C or better in all mathematics high school coursework.

Major Requirements

A course in the approved program must have the grade C- or higher. No course in the approved program may be taken on the Pass/Fail grade option.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Foundational Courses in Education
EDUC-1050	Introduction to American Education 1	3
EDUC-1070	Media and Technology in the Classroom	3
EDUC-2020	Human and Cognitive Development	3
EDUC-2050	Teaching in Diverse Classrooms	3
EDUC-2090	Characteristics and Instruction of Exceptional Learners	3
General Education Content Courses Required for the Early Childhood Licensure Program
HIS-1200	History of the American People to 1877	3
or HIS-1250	History of the American People since 1877
GEO-1200	World Geography: Culture Patterns	3
NSCI-1110	Concepts in Chemistry and Biology	4
NSCI-1120	Concepts in Physics and Earth Science	4
POS-1100	American Government and Politics	3
Early Childhood Education Courses
EDEC-3000	Curriculum Instruction - Early Childhood	3
EDEC-3200	Home, School and Community Relations (May be applied to SBS requirement in General Education)	3
EDUC-2300	Theoretical Foundations of Teaching ESL Students	3
EDUC-2500	Foundations of Literacy	3
EDUC-2700	Linguistics and Language Development for Diverse Learners	3
EDUC-2400	Literature for Children, Adolescents & Young Adults (May be applied to Humanities requirement in General Education)	3
MAT-1411	Mathematics for Teachers: Number and Measurement	3
Professional Education Courses for Teacher Candidacy in Early Childhood Education 2
Early Childhood Methods Block I 3
EDEC-3500	Emergent Literacy	3
EDEC-4800	Content & Methods of Early Childhood Movement	2
EDEC-4801	Content & Methods of Early Childhood Art	2
EDEC-4802	Content & Methods of Early Childhood Music	2
EDEC-4803	Content & Methods of Play in the Early Childhood Classroom	2
EDEC-4804	Content and Methods of Teaching ESL	2
Early Childhood Methods Block II 3
EDEC-4805	Content & Methods of Early Childhood Social Studies	2
EDEC-4806	Content & Methods of Early Childhood Math	2
EDEC-4300	Management and Assessment in Classrooms with Bilingual Learners	4
EDEC-4807	Content & Methods of Early Childhood Science	2
EDEC-4808	Content & Methods of Caring for Infants and Toddlers	2
Student Teaching Internship Semester
EDEC-4910	Student Teaching Internship: Early Childhood Education	15
EDUC-4985	edTPA Seminar & Colloquium	0
Electives
As needed to meet the 128-hour degree requirement
Total Hours		93

1	LTE Candidates should take EDUC-1060 Intro to American Education for Public & Lutheran Teachers.
2	Must be admitted to Teacher Candidacy to enroll in the professional methods coursework. The professional coursework sequence focuses on the professional formation of the teacher.
3	Blocks I and II contain coursework required to be taken together in the same semester.

Student Teaching Internship

The Student Teaching Internship is a supervised experience in two levels of school settings (Pre-K to grade 2 classroom) every day for the 16-week semester under the guidance of a classroom cooperating teacher and University supervisor. Candidates must meet the requirements for Transition Point Two: Admission to the Student Teaching Internship Semester to begin the internship. Subsequently, candidates must meet the requirements for Transition Point Three: Completion of the Student Teaching Internship Semester. Attendance at scheduled edTPA seminars and Colloquium is required. The College of Education Manual provides details and guidelines for meeting the criteria for successful completion of the Internship Semester and the process for obtaining the Illinois Professional Educator License.

Degree Requirements

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Graduation Requirements

Students in the College of Education must meet all University requirements found in the Academic Information section of this catalog. Specific requirements of the College of Education include the following:

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all coursework completed at CUC.
• A minimum GPA of 2.75 for all courses taken in the major at CUC.
• A minimum grade of C for all courses taken in a major at CUC.
• A passing score on the Illinois State Licensure Test(s) (taken prior to student teaching for those seeking licensure).
• A passing score on the EdTPA (for those seeking licensure).
• A passing grade for the Student Teaching Internship and a passing grade for both semesters of the DCE internship.
• With the exception of student teaching, courses in the education major at CUC may not be taken on the Pass/Fail grade option
• In addition to the overall minimum credits for the degree major, minor, endorsement, and special programs (Honors Program for example) requirements are also necessary if they have been declared. Deficiency in any area of the program will delay awarding of the degree and will require filing of a new intent to graduate. Students may elect to drop minors, additional endorsements, or other special programs if they present an obstacle to graduation.