Concordia’s College of Innovative Programs 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 currently are 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 College of Innovative Programs currently offers Certificate studies in the following areas:
- Coaching
- Human Resource Management
- Information Technology Management
- Organizational Processes
- Piano Pedagogy
Admission to Certificate Programs
Anyone who wishes to earn a Certificate at Concordia must be officially admitted to each desired program. Unless the programs below outline specific admission criteria, the following general requirements are:
Coaching
Completed Application (online at www.CUChicago.edu/om or available at the office of the Institute of Professional Studies)
Human Resource Management
• Completed Application (online or at the Institute of Professional
Studies Office)
• A minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale) from previous college
credit – submission of official transcripts are required.
• Three years full-time work experience outside the home
• Three semester hours of college-level writing
• Three hours – oral communication course
Information Technology Management
• Completed Application (online or at the Institute of Professional Studies Office)
• A minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale) from previous college credit – submission of official transcripts are required.
• Three years full-time work experience outside the home
• Three semester hours of college-level writing
• Three hours – oral communication
Organizational Processes
• Completed Application (online or at the Institute of Professional
Studies Office)
• A minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale) from previous college credit – submission of official transcripts are required.
• Three years full-time work experience outside the home
• Three semester hours of college-level writing
• Three hours – oral communication
Piano Pedagogy
Complete an application online at https://apps.cuchicago.edu/ips/apply/ or at the Institute of Professional Studies Office.
Certificate In Coaching
Concordia University Chicago is excited to partner 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 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
Upon completion of PES-3500 Principles of Coaching, the student will be eligible to sit for the ASEP Coaching Principles test. Passing this test with a score of 80 percent or better will certify you with the National Federation
of High School coaches and your name will be added to the National Coaches Registry.
Certificate in Human Resources Management
Human resource management in the global marketplace of the twenty-first century has evolved far beyond the traditional personnel functions of the past. The strategic role of HR in planning and operating organizations is the critical factor in the attainment of organizational goals. An organization’s unique advantage over its competitors has become increasingly dependent upon a firm’s ability to manage its most valuable asset, its employees.
Those who pursue the Certificate in Human Resources Management may come from varied backgrounds in terms of work experience and/or academic history; however, what they will have in common is the need and desire for knowledge in the field of human resource management in order to function more effectively in the workplace whether they aspire to a career in human resource management or not.
Certificate Requirements 15 hours
OMP-4000 Group and Organizational Dynamics 3 hours
OMP-4440 Human Resource Management 3 hours
CMGT-4030 Human Resource Development 3 hours
CBUS-4040 Employment Law 3 hours
CMGT-4035 Recruitment and Retention 3 hours
Certificate in Information Technology Management
In recent years, developments in computer hardware and software and society have changed the skill sets needed by professionals in all levels of management. These developments include:
• Companies are more likely to buy and adapt existing packages rather than develop them, sometimes with minimal or no technical support.
• Computers are available and used by small businesses and companies, not just large corporations. As such, small-business owners are required to manage their own technology and information resources with little or no support.
• An increased need for managers in all departments of an organization to work with users, to identify needs and find computing solutions.
• Rapid change in tools and platforms. This certificate provides learners with the opportunity to enhance their skill sets in these areas.
Certificate Requirements 12 hours
CIS-1000 Foundations of Information Systems 3 hours
CIS-2430 Electronic Business 3 hours
CIS-3200 Info Tech Hardware and Software 3 hours
CIS-4400 Management Information Systems 3 hours
Certificate in Organizational Processes
This certificate provides a balance of organizational behavior, interpersonal communication and effective writing skills. These skills are sought after by many organizations, profit or not-for-profit. In fact, those who graduated with discipline-specific degrees now are finding themselves in management positions with a desire to learn more about organizational management theory and practice. This certificate is not available to those enrolled in the Organizational Management program at Concordia University Chicago.
Certificate Requirements 12 hours
CENG-2000 Writing that Works 3 hours
OMP-4000 Group & Organizational Dynamics 3 hours
OMP-4020 Systems Approach to Organizational Change 3 hours
OMP-4240 Organizational Communication 3 hours
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 available equally 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 coursework, 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 hours
MUS-4661 Practicum in Piano Pedagogy I 1 hour
MUS-4672 Piano Pedagogy and Literature II 2 hours
MUS-4681 Practicum in Piano Pedagogy II 1 hour
MUSA-0600* Applied Piano
45-minute lessons at the 3000+ level 3 hours
MUS-4643 Literature of the Piano 3 hours
Select one from the following: 3 hours
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 coursework 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 coursework will apply toward the Certificate.
Transfer credit will be accepted for MUS-4643 and/or PSY coursework only.
Accelerated Degree Completion Program for Adults (ADPA)
Concordia believes that a liberal arts education is valuable to people of all ages. The ADPA program serves persons who, because of family and work responsibilities, need to attend college in a non-traditional manner.
ADPA serves adults who are highly motivated to finish, or even start, a degree program. This program is designed for working adults who can schedule their time carefully, discipline themselves to meet the rigorous demands of the program, and want to complete their degrees in a Christian setting.
Concordia University Chicago is a Christ-centered institution of higher education which encourages the application of a student who desires to study in a Christ-centered college environment. Concordia will consider for admission a student who is academically qualified and shows promise of contributing to this environment. Candidates for admission must demonstrate reasonable ability to complete a program of study at the University.
Each candidate must exhibit attitudes, values and character that will contribute positively to the University’s mission and environment. Transfer students who leave a college under any circumstance other than good standing may be required to have an interview with a designated University staff member and may be asked to permit Concordia personnel to talk with the Dean of Students office at the sending school.