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:
- 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
- Students interested in taking courses to meet course deficiencies for teacher certification as prescribed by the state
- Students pursuing a non-degree seeking track who wish to take courses for the purpose of personal enrichment and/or for employment promotion opportunities
- High school students enrolled in college-level courses
- Students enrolled in the 55+ Program
- 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:
- All specific requirements for Concordia University Chicago’s degree are met.
- Coursework required for the second degree includes at least 32 hours beyond the first degree.
- 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.
- 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:
- Minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.75/4.0 in all high school coursework
- Minimum grade point average of 2.75/4.0 in all high school science courses (recommended courses include biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology).
- Grade of C or better in all natural science high school coursework
- Minimum grade-point average of 2.75/4.0 in all high school mathematics courses (recommended courses include algebra, geometry, algebra II and trigonometry).
- Grade of C or better in all mathematics high school coursework.
General Education Requirements
Communication (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG-1100 | English Composition 2 | 3 |
| COM-1100 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| ENG-2000 | Writing About Literature 2 | 3 |
| 2 | Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher and not under the Pass/Fail option. |
Humanities and Fine Arts (9-10 Hours) Transfer students can take any 3 hours from either the Humanities or Fine Arts courses listed below instead of HUM1995 or COL1995.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HUM-1995 | Arts and Ideas (Incoming Freshman Students , Transfer Students are Exempt) | 3 |
| COL-1995 | Vocation and College Success (Incoming Freshman Students only, Transfer Students are Exempt.) | (1) |
| Humanities | ||
| Select one of the following Foreign Language, History, Literature or Philosophy courses: | 3 | |
Any Foreign Language | ||
| Non-Western Literature | ||
| Society and Literature | ||
| U.S. Latina/o Literature(s) | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Greek & Roman Mythology | ||
| Survey of Early Modern Europe, 1350-1815 | ||
| Survey of Modern Europe Since 1815 | ||
| Survey of World History to 1350 | ||
| Survey of the World Since 1350 | ||
| History of the American People to 1877 | ||
| History of the American People since 1877 | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| African American History | ||
| Hispanic and Latino American History | ||
| Primer in Philosophy | ||
| Intro to American Cultural Studies | ||
| Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Fine Arts | ||
| Select one of the following Art, Film, Music or Theater courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Visual Arts | ||
| Two-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Three-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Non-Western Art | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Global Documentary | ||
| Media Literacy | ||
| Exploration of Music | ||
| Survey of Western Music | ||
| Music of World Cultures | ||
| History of Jazz | ||
| Introduction to Theater | ||
| Contemporary Theater | ||
Social/Behavioral Sciences (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SBS-1995 | People and Society (Special Topics) | 3 |
| Select two courses with different prefixes from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Foundations of Economics | ||
| Geography of North America | ||
| World Geography: Culture Patterns | ||
| The Developing World | ||
| Introduction to Global Cultural Studies | ||
| Engaging Diversity: U.S. Perspectives | ||
| American Government and Politics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
Global Studies (3-4 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3-4 | |
| Non-Western Art | ||
| American Sign Language I | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Global Documentary | ||
| Non-Western Literature | ||
| U.S. Latina/o Literature(s) | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| World Geography: Culture Patterns | ||
| The Developing World | ||
| Greek I | ||
| Greek II | ||
| Hebrew I | ||
| Hebrew II | ||
| Survey of World History to 1350 | ||
| Survey of the World Since 1350 | ||
| Introduction to Global Cultural Studies | ||
| Latin I | ||
| Latin II | ||
| Music of World Cultures | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Elementary Spanish I | ||
| Elementary Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| 1 | This course may double count. |
Natural Sciences (7-8 Hours)
One course must include a lab.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Science | ||
| Select any CHE, EAS or PHY course 1 | 3-4 | |
| Life Science | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3-4 | |
Any BIO course | ||
| The Mind and The Brain | ||
| 1 | Either of the Interdisciplinary Natural Science courses (NSCI-1970 Energy and Our Environment or NSCI-1981 Introduction to Sustainability) can be used as a Life Science or a Physical Science course. |
Mathematics (3 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to Logic | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
| 1 | Or any MAT above MAT-1550 Finite Mathematics. |
Theology (6 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| The Bible | ||
| Introduction to the Old Testament | ||
| Introduction to the New Testament | ||
| Christian Doctrine Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Christianity | ||
| Lutheran Foundations (Lutheran church work students) | ||
Health/Fitness (1 Hour)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PES-1010 | Fitness and Wellness | 1 |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Core | ||
| COM-2300 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COM-2850 | Media Literacy | 3 |
| COM-4000 | Communication Research and Writing | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| JOU-2100 | News Writing and Reporting | 3 |
| JOU-2200 | Investigative Journalism Methods | 3 |
| JOU-3100 | Journalism History and Criticism | 3 |
| JOU-4200 | Journalism Law and Ethics | 3 |
| JOU-4980 | Senior Project | 3 |
| JOU-4990 | Internship in Journalism (three hours applied to major) | 12 |
| Choose from the following *course may be taken multiple times to equal 3 credits. | 3 | |
| The Spectator Practicum I 1 | ||
| The Spectator Practicum II | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select six hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Broadcast News Production | ||
| Feature Writing | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Magazine Journalism | ||
| Topics in Journalism | ||
| Total Hours | 45 | |
| 1 | Courses may be taken multiple times to equal three credits. |
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
- The Department 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., nursing at Resurrection University, microscopy at Hooke College, 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-1000 College Writing 3 ENG-1100 English Composition 3 ENG-2000 Writing About Literature 3 MAT-1000 Fundamentals of Mathematics 3 MAT-1010 Advanced Intermediate Algebra 3 Any course in a major at CUC