General Information

The College of Theology, Arts & Humanities at Concordia University Chicago is committed to the historic liberal arts tradition. The college offers a variety of programs—from theology to the humanities as well as the fine arts—and seeks at every opportunity to integrate the disciplines. All of our work is driven by a desire to ground students in truth, form them for freedom, and prepare them for a wide variety of vocations—in and beyond their professions.  

Experiential Learning and Career Services

• Faculty and staff work to help prepare students for the next step in their career development through skill building, experiential learning, networking and assistance with job placement.
• Experiential learning opportunities take many forms: service learning, volunteer events, internships (paid and unpaid), observations and field experience. Many academic programs  include opportunities or requirements for experiential learning, and the Office of Career Services facilitates even more possibilities for real-world, hands-on experiences.
• Students wishing to pursue an internship should consult their faculty advisors and the Office of Career Services at least a semester in advance. All academic internships (internships for which a student will receive credit) require faculty approval, and will contain clear objectives and evaluative criteria.
• The Office of Career Services serves all Concordia University Chicago students and alumni as a source for career exploration, career development strategies and market assessment. Staff members facilitate connections between students and employers, and assist with job searches. Students are encouraged to connect with Career Services throughout their time at CUC, as events and services are tailored for various stages of career development.
• The Synodical Placement Office provides placement orientation and manages placement for students in programs offered by the University leading to professional work in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

College of Theology, Arts and Humanities Special Admissions Criteria

Theology

Deaconess Program

In order to support students in personal and vocational development, there will be five Transition checkpoints after initial admission to the University, during the course of study:

• Interview with Deaconess Program Leader
• Admission to Deaconess Program
• Admission to Deaconess Internship
• Program Completion
• Deaconess Certification

At the end of each Transition, the student will be notified of the outcome within seven days. The outcome options are: approval, provisional approval or denied. If a student is denied approval through a Transition point, within 30 days of receiving the written denial, the student may either:

• Re-apply after positively addressing, with supporting documentation, the conditions that led to the denial. If the student is denied approval a second time, within 30 days the student may submit a Letter of Appeal to the Dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Dean, within 30 days of receiving the Dean’s decision the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs whose decision is final.
  or
• Submit a Letter of Appeal to the Dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Dean, within 30 days of receiving the Dean’s decision the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs whose decision is final.

Full criteria and explanations for Deaconess Program Transition information is in the Deaconess Program Guidebook, available to enrolled students. 

Transition One: Interview with Deaconess Program Leader

• By March 1, normally in freshman year, the student will sit for an interview with the Deaconess Program Leader. The student will present evidence:
  • Completion of THY-2600 Introduction to Deaconess Ministry (CS) with C or better
  • One Theology class with “C” or better

Transition Two: Admission to Deaconess Program

• By March 1, normally in sophomore year, the student will apply for formal admission to the Deaconess Program and sit for an interview with the Deaconess Review Committee. Forms and guidelines are in the Deaconess Program Guidebook. Required components for admission include:
  • Permission of the Deaconess Program Leader to sit for the admission interview
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 in theology major and deaconess specialization courses, with a grade of “C” or better in each course
  • Completion of 4 Theology courses
• Application including:
  • Recommendations from four people:
    1. Home pastor,
    2. a CUC professor,
    3. An individual for whom the applicant has worked,
    4. An adult (not family or friend) who has observed the applicant in leadership or service
  • Criminal fingerprint background check
  • Current Program Plan
  • The application materials and interview should exhibit the student’s commitment to Christ, capacity to serve and lead in an LCMS context, willingness to learn, and dedication to adorn the Gospel with a godly life. Diaconal characteristics such as compassion, mercy, poise and maintaining harmonious relationships should be evident, as well as the capacity for skills in good communication, leadership and organization, among others.

Transition Three: Admission to Deaconess Internship

• Internship is typically a one-year (longer for international missions) full-time experience with stipend in a congregation, agency or mission of the LCMS. It is served under the guidance of an onsite LCMS-rostered supervisor and a CUC supervisor. The internship candidate must meet the requirements of all steps of Transition Three in order to begin internship. Progress through Transition Three normally extends over most of senior year.
• Step 1: Application for Internship
  • By December 1, the student will submit the Application for Internship to the Deaconess Program Leader. 
  • The Deaconess Program Leader and one appropriate faculty member will interview with the student.
• Step 2: Approval for Internship Placement Service
  • By February 1, the Deaconess Program Leader will approve the student for participation in the Intern Placement Service, based on successful completion of requirements thus far.
• Step 3: Final Approval for Internship is given by the Program Leader after final grades are recorded in the term prior to internship. Final approval is based upon the following:
  • Successful grade report showing pre-requisites and GPA standards are met
  • Completion of at least 30 hours in Theology
  • Completion of at least 12 hours in the minor

Transition Four: Program Completion

• The Deaconess Program Guidebook, the Deaconess Internship Handbook and the Internship Syllabus provide details and guidelines for program completion. Successful completion includes:
  • Completion of all course requirements
  • Satisfactory completion of internship by meeting or exceeding all requirements
  • Participation in and successful completion of internship seminar(s)
• The student who is not eligible for, or who does not desire, LCMS Deaconess Certification may withdraw from the Deaconess Program and change to Liberal Arts: Theology Major in order to complete their degree.

Transition Five: LCMS Deaconess Certification

• A student seeking LCMS Deaconess Certification will proceed through Transition Five concurrently with Transition Four. The student must successfully complete both Transitions Four and Five before being eligible to serve as a deaconess of the LCMS.
• In order to receive approval for certification, the student must complete:
  • Synodical Placement documents and requirements pertaining to placement and call.
  • A successful exit interview with the Deaconess Review Committee
• The Synodical Placement Director will oversee and coordinate the process whereby a deaconess candidate receives certification placement. The student must complete all requirements of CUC’s Synodical Placement Office.

Graduation Requirements

Students in the College of Health, Science and Technology or The College of Theology, Arts and Humanities must meet all University requirements found in the Academic Information section of this catalog. Specific requirements for these Colleges include the following:

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all coursework completed at CUC
• A minimum GPA of 2.00 for all courses taken in the major at CUC
• A minimum grade of C for all courses taken in a major at CUC
• All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
• The Division of Natural Sciences requires a minimum grade of D- for courses within the major that are not pre-requisites for other courses. For courses that are pre-requisites, the C minimum remains unless superseded by admission grade requirements for specific programs, e.g., medicine/dentistry/pharmacy at LECOM, etc.).

• The following courses may not be taken on the Pass/Fail grade option:

• Course List

  Code	Title	Hours
  ENG-0100	College Writing	3
  ENG-1100	English Composition	3
  ENG-2000	Writing About Literature	3
  Any course in a major at CUC
  MAT-1010	Advanced Intermediate Algebra	3