The DCE Program prepares men and women to serve in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, primarily in congregational settings. Initiated in the early 1960s, Concordia University Chicago has a long history of providing parish educators who work with children, youth and adults.
In the undergraduate DCE program, the student has two possible options. One option is the dual major program, which results in both DCE and Lutheran Teacher Certifications, and Illinois state teacher licensure. The second option is a DCE certification-only program without state licensure as a teacher.
Students desiring entry into a public ministry in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all prescribed Theology requirements. Students desiring DCE certification from Concordia-Chicago also must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in their DCE core courses. All theology and DCE courses used in the GPA calculation must have a grade of C or better and cannot be taken under the P/D/F grade option. DCE students must maintain an overall minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) are general education courses Concordia-Chicago agrees to accept in lieu of comparable, lower-division general education requirements. For more information regarding IAI transfer credit, please see the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s iTransfer website at www.itransfer.org.
General Undergraduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago undergraduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into undergraduate degree-seeking programs for online (ADP) and on-campus (Traditional) study in the fall and spring semesters. If you have any questions please work with your admissions advisors.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree at a Synodical university or college.
- Achievement of a cumulative grade-point average of 2.50 or better.
Contact the College of Education for materials required for admission. Upon successful admission to the program, the student will be given a detailed course of study. This course of study shall be approved by the advisor and the Dean of Education. A copy will be filed in the College of Education office and the Registrar’s Office. Following this approval, no change can be made in the program without approval from both the advisor and the Dean. While the course of study is rigorously adhered to, the means by which a student fulfills the requirements is flexible. Up to one-fourth of the course requirements, excluding internship, may be submitted for a transfer of credit into the program and/or may be completed by some combination of credit for prior learning and correspondence courses.
Option I: DCE and Lutheran Teacher Certification With Illinois Professional Educator Licensure (168 + Hours)
This program prepares the student for DCE and Lutheran Teacher certifications by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and for Illinois Professional Educator Licensure. This dual program combining DCE and middle grades and/or secondary education programs could be designed in collaboration with DCE and LTE faculty advisors and approved by the Dean. Under Option 1 involving teacher licensure, the requirements for admission are the following:
- Be enrolled in both the DCE program and elementary education licensure.
- Complete the general requirements for admission to the College of Education.
- Submit the application form to the College of Education for admission to the College and Teacher Candidacy.
- Submit an application for admission to the DCE program.
- Complete the interview process as designed by the DCE Program Director.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirement ( Freshman only, transfer students are exempt) | ||
| COL-1995 | 1 | |
General Education Requirements 37-38
Communication (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG-1100 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM-1100 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| ENG-2000 | Writing About Literature | 3 |
Humanities (9 Hours total from course lists below)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | 3 | |
| History of the American People to 1877 | ||
or HIS-1250 | History of the American People since 1877 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Visual Arts | ||
| Two-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Three-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Western Art: Pre-History through Renaissance | ||
| Western Art: Post Renaissance through Contemporary | ||
| Non-Western Art | ||
| Drawing Studio | ||
| 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 | ||
| Select one course from Humanities or Fine Arts from list below | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Visual Arts | ||
| Two-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Three-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Non-Western Art | ||
| Western Art: Pre-History through Renaissance | ||
| Western Art: Post Renaissance through Contemporary | ||
| American Sign Language I | ||
| American Sign Language II | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Global Documentary | ||
| Non-Western Literature | ||
| Society and Literature | ||
| U.S. Latina/o Literature(s) | ||
| Greek & Roman Mythology | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Classical World Literature | ||
| Modern World Literature | ||
| German for Reading I | ||
| German for Reading II | ||
| Greek I | ||
| Greek II | ||
| Hebrew I | ||
| Hebrew II | ||
| Survey of Early Modern Europe, 1350-1815 | ||
| Survey of Modern Europe Since 1815 | ||
| History of the American People to 1877 | ||
| History of the American People since 1877 | ||
| Survey of World History to 1350 | ||
| Survey of the World Since 1350 | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| African American History | ||
| Hispanic and Latino American History | ||
| Ancient Greek and Roman Civilizations | ||
| A History of Illinois | ||
| Arts and Ideas (incoming freshmen, transfer students exempt) | ||
| Intro to American Cultural Studies | ||
| Latin I | ||
| Latin II | ||
| Exploration of Music | ||
| Survey of Western Music | ||
| Music of World Cultures | ||
| History of Jazz | ||
| Primer in Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Introduction to Logic | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Elementary Spanish I | ||
| Elementary Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Introduction to Theater | ||
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Human and Cognitive Development | ||
| Select one course from the following | 3 | |
| 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 | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| The Mind and the Brain | ||
| Developmental Psychology: Life Span | ||
| Child and Adolescent Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| People and Society | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Marriage and the Family | ||
| Sociology of Gender/Sexualities | ||
| Race, Ethnicity, & Racisms in the U.S. | ||
| Social Inequality: Class, Status and Power | ||
Physical and Life Science Requirements (7-8 Hours) One class taken must include a lab, classes with an * include a lab
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one Physical Science from the following | 4 | |
| Elements of Earth Science | ||
| Consumer Chemistry (*) | ||
| Chemistry in the World Today | ||
| Health Science Applications in Chemistry | ||
| Fundamentals of Chemistry | ||
| Concepts in Chemistry and Biology (*) | ||
| Concepts in Physics and Earth Science (*) | ||
| Energy and Our Environment (*) | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability (*) | ||
| Select one Life Science from the list below | 3-4 | |
| Biology in the World Today (*) | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Fundamentals of Microbiology | ||
| Energy and Our Environment (*) | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability (*) | ||
| Concepts in Chemistry and Biology (*) | ||
Mathematics (3 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT-1550 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
Theology – Lutheran Teacher Education (21 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Methods Course | ||
| EDUC-4900 | Lutheran Teacher: Vocation and Methods | 3 |
| Theology (2.75 GPA Required) | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| THY-2010 | Introduction to the Old Testament (B) 3 | 3 |
| THY-2500 | Martin Luther's Small and Large Catechisms (S) 2 | 3 |
| THY-3105 | Introduction to the New Testament (B) | 3 |
| THY-3320 | Survey of Church History (H) 4 | 3 |
| Select two courses from the list below | 6 | |
| The Augsburg Confession and its Apology (S) | ||
| The Ancient Creeds, the Smalcald Articles, and the Treaties (S) | ||
| The Formula of Concord (S) | ||
| 1 | Required courses applies to DCE theology requirements. |
| 2 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Doctrine requirement. |
| 3 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Bible requirement. |
| 4 | Directors of Parish Music may substitute THY-4550 Liturgy and Worship (CS) (S) (H). |
DCE Major Core Coursework (58 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DCE-2990 | Intro to DCE Ministry | 3 |
| DCE-4200 | Commissioned Ministry: DCE Ministry | 1 |
| DCE-4320 | Administration of Parish Education | 3 |
| DCE-4330 | Youth Ministry Theory and Practice | 3 |
| DCE-4340 | Church Leadership and Ministerial Ethics | 3 |
| DCE-4350 | Parish Teaching I | 3 |
| DCE-4351 | Parish Teaching II | 3 |
| DCE-4450 | Family and Children’s Ministry | 3 |
| DCE-4942 | DCE Senior Seminar | 3 |
| PSY-4201 | Interpersonal Skills for the Helping Professions | 3 |
| PSY-4210 | Group Dynamics and Leadership Skills | 3 |
| COM-4230 | Organizational and Team Communication | 3 |
| 2 semesters of DCE-4990 for a total of 24 hours must be completed | 24 | |
| Internship DCE | ||
| Total Hours | 58 | |
COE Major courses needed for dual degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Courses in Education for Dual Major | ||
| EDUC-1060 | Intro to American Education for Public & Lutheran Teachers | 3 |
| EDUC-1070 | Media and Technology in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC-2020 | Human and Cognitive Development (May be applied to SBS requirement in General Education) | 3 |
| EDUC-2050 | Teaching in Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC-2090 | Characteristics and Instruction of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| Elementary Education Courses: Prerequisites to Professional Education Courses | ||
| EDUC-2500 | Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC-2400 | Literature for Children, Adolescents & Young Adults (May be applied to Humanities requirement) | 3 |
| MAT-1411 | Mathematics for Teachers: Number and Measurement | 3 |
| MAT-1812 | Math for Elementary & Middle Grades Teachers: Geometry, Statistics, Function | 3 |
| Professional Education Courses 1 | ||
| EDEL-3500 | Content & Methods for Elementary Literacy | 3 |
| Elementary Block I 2 | ||
| EDEL-4901 | Content & Methods for Elementary Art (May be applied to Humanities) | 3 |
| EDEL-4902 | Content & Methods for Elementary Music | 3 |
| EDEL-4903 | Content & Methods for Elementary Social Sciences | 3 |
| EDEL-4922 | Classroom Management and Professionalism in Elementary and Middle Grades | 3 |
| Elementary Methods Block II 2 | ||
| EDEL-4905 | Content & Methods for Elementary Math (Prerequisite: MAT-1411, MAT-1805 and MAT-1812 and acceptance into the College of Education )) | 3 |
| EDEL-4906 | Content & Methods for Elementary Physical Education & Health | 3 |
| EDEL-4907 | Content & Methods for Elementary Science | 3 |
| EDEL-4923 | Assessment: Elementary and Middle Grades | 3 |
| Student Teaching Internship Semester | ||
| EDEL-4920 | Student Teaching Internship: Elementary | 15 |
| Total Hours | 69 | |
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Blocks I and II contain coursework required to be taken concurrently. |
Student Teaching Internship
The Student Teaching Internship is in an elementary classroom every day for the 16-week semester under the guidance of a classroom cooperating teacher. The intern will be supported and evaluated by the 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.
The Student Teaching Internship Handbook provides detail and guidelines for meeting the criteria for successful completion of the Internship Semester and the process for obtaining the Illinois Professional Educator License.
Option II: DCE Certification Only (140-144 Hours)
This program prepares the student for DCE certification by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirement | ||
| COL-1995 | 1 | |
Communication (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG-1100 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM-1100 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| ENG-2000 | Writing About Literature | 3 |
Humanities (9 Hours total from course lists below)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | 3 | |
| History of the American People to 1877 | ||
or HIS-1250 | History of the American People since 1877 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Visual Arts | ||
| Two-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Three-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Western Art: Pre-History through Renaissance | ||
| Western Art: Post Renaissance through Contemporary | ||
| Non-Western Art | ||
| Drawing Studio | ||
| 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 | ||
| Select one course from Humanities or Fine Arts from list below | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Visual Arts | ||
| Two-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Three-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Non-Western Art | ||
| Western Art: Pre-History through Renaissance | ||
| Western Art: Post Renaissance through Contemporary | ||
| American Sign Language I | ||
| American Sign Language II | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Global Documentary | ||
| Non-Western Literature | ||
| Society and Literature | ||
| U.S. Latina/o Literature(s) | ||
| Greek & Roman Mythology | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Classical World Literature | ||
| Modern World Literature | ||
| German for Reading I | ||
| German for Reading II | ||
| Greek I | ||
| Greek II | ||
| Hebrew I | ||
| Hebrew II | ||
| Survey of Early Modern Europe, 1350-1815 | ||
| Survey of Modern Europe Since 1815 | ||
| History of the American People to 1877 | ||
| History of the American People since 1877 | ||
| Survey of World History to 1350 | ||
| Survey of the World Since 1350 | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| African American History | ||
| Hispanic and Latino American History | ||
| Ancient Greek and Roman Civilizations | ||
| A History of Illinois | ||
| Arts and Ideas (incoming freshmen, transfer students exempt) | ||
| Intro to American Cultural Studies | ||
| Latin I | ||
| Latin II | ||
| Exploration of Music | ||
| Survey of Western Music | ||
| Music of World Cultures | ||
| History of Jazz | ||
| Primer in Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Introduction to Logic | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Elementary Spanish I | ||
| Elementary Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Introduction to Theater | ||
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Human and Cognitive Development | ||
| Select one course from the following | 3 | |
| 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 | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| The Mind and the Brain | ||
| Developmental Psychology: Life Span | ||
| Child and Adolescent Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| People and Society | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Marriage and the Family | ||
| Sociology of Gender/Sexualities | ||
| Race, Ethnicity, & Racisms in the U.S. | ||
| Social Inequality: Class, Status and Power | ||
Physical and Life Science Requirements (7-8 Hours) One class taken must include a lab, classes with an * include a lab
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one Physical Science from the following | 4 | |
| Elements of Earth Science | ||
| Consumer Chemistry (*) | ||
| Chemistry in the World Today | ||
| Health Science Applications in Chemistry | ||
| Fundamentals of Chemistry | ||
| Concepts in Chemistry and Biology (*) | ||
| Concepts in Physics and Earth Science (*) | ||
| Energy and Our Environment (*) | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability (*) | ||
| Select one Life Science from the list below | 3-4 | |
| Biology in the World Today (*) | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Fundamentals of Microbiology | ||
| Energy and Our Environment (*) | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability (*) | ||
| Concepts in Chemistry and Biology (*) | ||
Mathematics (3 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT-1550 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
DCE Major Coursework (58 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DCE-2990 | Intro to DCE Ministry | 3 |
| DCE-4200 | Commissioned Ministry: DCE Ministry | 1 |
| DCE-4320 | Administration of Parish Education | 3 |
| DCE-4330 | Youth Ministry Theory and Practice | 3 |
| DCE-4340 | Church Leadership and Ministerial Ethics | 3 |
| DCE-4350 | Parish Teaching I | 3 |
| DCE-4351 | Parish Teaching II | 3 |
| DCE-4450 | Family and Children’s Ministry | 3 |
| DCE-4942 | DCE Senior Seminar | 3 |
| PSY-4201 | Interpersonal Skills for the Helping Professions | 3 |
| PSY-4210 | Group Dynamics and Leadership Skills | 3 |
| COM-4230 | Organizational and Team Communication | 3 |
| 2 semesters of DCE-4990 for a total of 24 hours must be completed | 24 | |
| Internship DCE | ||
| Total Hours | 58 | |
Christian Education Support Courses (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DCE-2300 | Parish Education Perspectives | 3 |
| EDUC-2020 | Human and Cognitive Development | 3 |
| ATH-2020 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
Theology Minor (18 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THY-2010 | Introduction to the Old Testament (B) 2 | 3 |
| THY-2500 | Martin Luther's Small and Large Catechisms (S) 1 | 3 |
| THY-3105 | Introduction to the New Testament (B) | 3 |
| THY-3320 | Survey of Church History (H) 3 | 3 |
| Select 2 courses from below | 6 | |
| The Augsburg Confession and its Apology (S) | ||
| The Ancient Creeds, the Smalcald Articles, and the Treaties (S) | ||
| The Formula of Concord (S) | ||
| 1 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Doctrine requirement. |
| 2 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Bible requirement. |
| 3 | Directors of Parish Music may substitute THY-4550 Liturgy and Worship (CS) (S) (H). |
Single certificate DCE students must choose a second minor in addition to the Theology minor. Select from list below: (18-21 Hours)
- Foreign Language (20-21)
- Communication (21)
- Psychology (21)
- Education (18)
- Global Studies (21)
- Interdisciplinary (21)
- Social Work (18)
Option III: Post-Baccalaureate DCE Certification
The Concordia University Chicago Director of Christian Education Certification Program is a means by which an individual with a bachelor’s degree from a Synodical institution may become certified as a DCE with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. This certification would enable an individual to be eligible to receive a Call as a DCE and to be placed on the roster of the Synod as a Commissioned Minister-Director of Christian Education.
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 college-level coursework completed at CUC.
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 for all college-level courses taken in the major at CUC.
- A grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses
- A grade of a C- or higher in all methods courses
- 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.
- The College of Education Initial Licensure Program has a stipulation indicating that students in the COE may not take any course as Pass/Fail without permission of the Division Chair or College Dean. Students may not take a course as Pass/Fail if the course is mandated by their licensure program through ISBE. Students may not take a course as Pass/Fail including courses with the following course codes - EDEC, EDEL, EDMG, EDSC, EDSP, EDKS and EDUC. The student teaching internship course and the edTPA course are excluded from this policy because they are automatically Pass/Fail. General education courses outside of the required licensure programs may be taken as Pass/Fail if they are in alignment with the University policy.
- 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.