Academics

Certificate Programs

The Institute of Professional Studies

The Institute of Professional Studies recognizes that individuals desire to continue or enhance their life-long learning without having to seek admission into a degree program. It also recognizes that students, who are currently enrolled in a degree program, may wish to enhance their learning in a given subject without having to declare an additional major or minor. The Institute of Professional Studies currently offers Certificate studies in the following areas:

  • Coaching

  • Human Resource Management

  • Information Technology Management

  • Organizational Processes

  • Piano Pedagogy

Admission to Certificate Programs

Anyone seeking to earn a Certificate at Concordia University Chicago must be officially admitted to each desired program. Unless the programs below outline specific admission criteria, the following general requirements are

Coaching
Completed Application (available in the Office of the Institute of Professional Studies and online at www.Cuchicago.edu/OM)

Certificate In Coaching
Concordia University Chicago is excited to join with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) and offer a Certificate in Coaching.

The program provides specialized training for a career in Coaching. This program is offered to undergraduate students who are in need of ASEP Coaching Certification, and those students that are looking to gain a wealth of knowledge about the wonderful career of coaching.

The curriculum focuses on Anatomy, Sport First Aid / Injury Prevention, Training Practices, and Principles of Coaching of all ages. Upon completion of the following courses, Concordia University Chicago will grant the student with a Certificate in Coaching:

Certificate Requirements 8 hours

PES-3400 Applied Anatomy and Physiology 3 hours
PES-3705 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries 3 hours
PES-3500 Principles of Coaching 2 hours

Human Resource Management

  • Completed Application (available in the Office of the Institute of Professional Studies and online at www.Cuchicago.edu/OM)

  • A minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale) from previous college credit – submission of official transcripts are required.

  • 3 years full-time work experience outside the home

  • 3 semester hours of college-level writing

  • 3 semester hours of an oral communication course

Information Technology Management

  • Completed Application (available in the Office of the Institute of Professional Studies and online at www.Cuchicago.edu/OM)

  • A minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale) from previous college credit – submission of official transcripts are required.

  • 3 years full-time work experience outside the home

  • 3 semester hours of college-level writing

  • 3 semester hours of an oral communication course

Organizational Processes

  • Completed Application (available in the Office of the Institute of Professional Studies and online at www.Cuchicago.edu/OM)

  • A minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale) from previous college credit – submission of official transcripts are required.

  • 3 years full-time work experience outside the home

  • 3 semester hours of college-level writing

  • 3 semester hours of an oral communication course

Piano Pedagogy
Completed Application (available in the Office of the Institute of Professional Studies and online at www.Cuchicago.edu/OM)

Certificate in Piano Pedagogy

Concordia University Chicago is proud to expand its fine tradition of teacher training to the exciting field of piano teaching. The College of Innovative Programs offers a course of study leading to a Certificate in Piano Pedagogy.

The program provides specialized training for careers in piano teaching. Undergraduate and graduate students may earn the Certificate in Piano Pedagogy while concurrently pursuing a music degree. The program is equally available to independent teachers who are seeking opportunities, in a non-degree program, to expand and update their teaching and performance skills.

The curriculum focuses on the development of teaching skills for use in individual and group settings. Pedagogy courses focus on teaching the beginning and intermediate student. Practicum courses allow pedagogy students the opportunity of supervised teaching in Concordia’s Preparatory Piano Program.

Applied piano will cover a broad range of piano literature, including pre-college teaching repertoire. These practical experiences, along with the other academic course work, represent the spirit of the certificate program: to develop competent, successful piano teachers who in turn will enrich the lives of others with a love of music through quality performance and teaching.

Certificate Requirements 15 hours

MUS-4652 Piano Pedagogy and Literature I 2 hrs
MUS-4661 Practicum in Piano Pedagogy I 1 hr
MUS-4672 Piano Pedagogy and Literature II 2 hrs
MUS-4681 Practicum in Piano Pedagogy II 1 hr
MUSA-0600* Applied Piano
45-minute lessons at the 3000+ level 3 hrs
MUS-4643 Literature of the Piano 3 hrs

Select one from the following: 3 hrs
PSY-2400 Educational Psychology
PSY-4105 Developmental Psychology: Middle Childhood
PSY-4110 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence

* There will be an initial conference/audition for MUSA-0600. Some performance will be expected during each semester of study. Co-enrollment in MUSA-3501 Music Convocation is optional.

Diagnostic exams will be given to determine if additional course work is needed to meet the following course equivalents:

Theory: MUS-2113 Music Theory I: Diatonic
Skills: MUS-2112 Aural Skills I
Literature: MUS-2203 Survey of Western Music

No credit for additional course work will apply toward the Certificate.
Transfer credit will be accepted for MUS-4643 and/or PSY coursework only.