Concordia University Chicago is a Lutheran, Christian university with academic programs based in the liberal arts. The University considers for admission candidates who demonstrate reasonable ability to complete a program of study. Candidates must exhibit attitudes, values and character that will contribute positively to the University’s mission and environment.
All those applying for admission to Concordia University Chicago will be required to sign the honor code pledge:
“As a student of Concordia University Chicago, and a member of the larger society, I pledge to uphold an academic honor code which supports serving and leading with strong personal integrity. Specifically this includes not cheating or using inappropriate or dishonest means in the completion of academic requirements. This also includes not giving unauthorized assistance to others. I understand that it is my responsibility to comply with this honor system.”
High school seniors are encouraged to apply during the first semester of their senior year. However, students also may apply during the second semester. Freshmen are admitted only for the fall and spring semesters.
Transfer students should apply as early as possible, and may be admitted prior to the beginning of any semester or summer session. Transfer students applying for the adult degree completion program may apply at any time throughout the year and may be admitted prior to the beginning of the group cohort start. Additional information about admission requirements to the accelerated degree completion program is described in detail in the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs section of the catalog.
Concordia 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.
All entering students who wish to enroll in a mathematics course at Concordia University Chicago are required to take the mathematics placement exam before they will be permitted to enroll in a mathematics or physics course. Typically this includes all incoming freshmen without Advanced Placement Calculus credit and transfer students who have not yet completed the mathematics requirements for their program. The placement exam is offered during the Jump Start Orientation Program and during the Weeks of Welcome prior to the start of classes.
A tuition deposit of $100, non-refundable after May 1st, is required of all new degree-seeking undergraduate students, and is applied in full to the tuition upon completion of registration.
Admissions requirements are outlined on the following pages; however, the Undergraduate Admission Committee reserves the right to request additional information or documentation deemed helpful in evaluating applicants for admission, e.g. supplemental references, personal interview, additional testing, etc.
To be considered for admission as a new freshman, students must present the following:
• A completed application for admission.
• An official high school transcript showing a 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 an accredited high school including:
• English 4 units;
• Mathematics 3 units, including one unit algebra and one unit of geometry or equivalent (equaling 3 units);
• Science 2 units
Lab science, including one year of biology, chemistry, physics, or equivalent;
• Social Science 2 units;
• An ACT composite of at least 20 or SAT I combined scores of at least 930. Concordia’s ACT code is 1004; the SAT code is 1140.
• A final high school transcript, complete with graduation date, must be submitted prior to enrollment in order to meet University, federal and state requirements.
• Final transcripts for any additional college work (if applicable) must be submitted prior to enrollment.
First-time freshmen out of high school for at least three years must present the following:
• Final high school transcript, complete with graduation date, or written documentation of successful completion of the G.E.D.
Transfer applicants who have completed 15 or more semester hours must submit the following to be considered for admission:
• A completed application for admission;
• Official transcripts of all college coursework from each institution attended;
• A minimum college grade point average of 2.00 (4.00 scale) and evidence of good academic standing at the last higher education institution attended.
Transfer applicants who have completed fewer than 15 semester hours (22.5 quarter hours) of college coursework must submit the following to be considered for admission:
• A completed application for admission;
• Official transcripts of all college coursework from each institution attended;
• A minimum college GPA of 2.00 (4.00 scale) and evidence of good academic standing at the last higher education institution attended;
• ACT or SAT1 F score;
• Final high school transcript, complete with graduation date or written documentation of successful completion of the G.E.D.;
• An official high school transcript, if the college from which credit was earned does not have full regional accreditation.
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 Office of the Dean of Students at the sending school.
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 associates 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. You can learn more about IAI at www.itransfer.org.
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 coming from/into a program/school with which CUC has an articulation agreement.
One-half of all the credit hours in each major must be completed in residence. At least 32 semester hours of study at Concordia 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; transfer work is received as credit.
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:
• A completed application for admission;
• An official transcript of all work completed;
• A course syllabus and/or bibliography of materials studied in each course;
• An official ACT composite score of at least 20 or an SAT I combined score of at least 930. Concordia’s ACT code is 1004; the SAT code is 1140;
• A statement of purpose from the parents about their home school;
• A personal statement or an essay describing an important event or individual by the student;
• A certificate of the completion or diploma from the home school (if available);
• Official transcripts of any college coursework from each college/university attended.
Home-schooled students will be expected to have completed at least the same academic course pattern required of traditionally educated students: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics including one unit each of algebra and geometry or equivalent (totaling 3 units), 2 units of science, 2 units of social science and 4 additional college preparatory courses. Two years of the same foreign language are recommended. (Students choosing a liberal arts program who have not completed this requirement are required to take six semester hours of language at the college level.)
Conditional Admission: Students who do not meet the stated 2.0 GPA and 20 composite ACT or/930 combined mathematics and critical reading SAT test score requirements for admission may be considered for admission at the discretion of the Vice President of Enrollment along with the Committee for Admission and Academic Progress. The terms of admission will be stipulated individually for each student and outlined in his/her admission notification letter. Many of these students will be required to enroll in the Study Skills Program, which limits students to a maximum of 13 semester hours in the first semester and includes the basic skills course, COL-1000 Strategies for Success. Students admitted under Conditional Admission will be reviewed at the end of their first semester by the Committee for Admission and Academic Progress to monitor their academic progress. Detailed information 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 his/her 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;
• A completed application for admission;
• An official high school transcript complete with date of graduation, or written documentation of successful completion of the G.E.D.;
• Official transcripts of all college work;
• A written recommendation from a professor, counselor or someone other than a friend or relative who can comment on the applicant’s academic background and character;
• A written recommendation from the applicant’s current employer. Students admitted under the Fresh Start status plan their academic schedule with the Academic Advising Office. Fresh Start students will be encouraged to take Strategies for Success (COL-1000) but are not required to do so, and are limited to a maximum course load of 13 semester hours per semester. Upon completion of at least 12 semester hours at Concordia, with a G.P.A. of 2.25 or higher, the restriction on course load 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, but 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.
All applicants are required to meet the regular admission standards listed. In addition, the following are required of all international applicants:
• Test of English as a Foreign Language: A score of at least 533 (paper-based), 200 (computer-based), 72-73 (internet-based) for undergraduate studies on the TOEFL, or successful completion of Level 109 at an English Language School (ELS) or Level 12 at a Berlitz Language Program and a qualified recommendation of the program director of the chosen language program. A Michigan test score of at least 85 or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 7 also may be accepted in lieu of the other language proficiency options;
• 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 three months prior to the expected date of entry. 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.
Special students are undergraduate students in a non-degree seeking track who wish to take courses for the purpose of personal enrichment and/or for employment promotion opportunities. The special student status is not available as an alternative form of admission to those failing to meet regular admission standards of the institution. Students will receive college credit for coursework successfully completed.
To be considered for admission as a special student, the student must present the following to the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Concordia University Chicago:
• A completed application for admission;
• Official transcripts of all college work and from all colleges attended; if the student has no college credit, an official high school transcript, complete with graduation date, must be submitted. (NOTE: For students with college credit, the high school transcript or additional college transcripts may be required to clearly determine academic potential.)
For students interested in taking a course in any academic area: A high school cumulative G.P.A. of a 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the college preparatory subjects is required for students with no previous college credit. Students with college credit must have attained a cumulative college G.P.A. of a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Those admitted under the status of special student will plan their academic schedules with the Academic Advising Office. Special students may take up to 18 hours per semester; however, a maximum of only 32 semester hours may be applied to a degree program should the student be admitted as a degree-seeking student at a later date. Special students are not eligible for financial assistance, because they are not degree-seeking students. Degree-seeking students will be given preference for courses with limited enrollment.
Guest students fall under five categories:
• Students in good standing from another college or university who wish to take coursework at Concordia 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;
• Employees of Concordia University Chicago who desire a non-degree seeking track;
• High school students enrolled in college level courses;
• Students enrolled in the 60+ Program.
Under 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.
Under 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.
Under Category 3, the employee must complete the Guest Student Application and verify high school graduation or successful completion of the G.E.D. Employees seeking degree or certification programs must apply through the appropriate admission office.
Under Category 4, the high school student must be of senior status and have written approval from the high school’s counselor and/or principal.
Under Category 5, the student must be at least 60 years old. Those admitted under the status of guest student can find information on course availability at the Registrar’s Office. Guest students may take up to 18 hours per semester. No financial assistance is available for guest students because they are not degree-seeking students.
To be considered for admission for a second bachelor’s degree, the student must submit the following to the Office of Undergraduate Admission:
• A completed application for admission;
• Official transcripts of all college coursework from each college/university attended, complete with 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 provided:
1. All specific requirements for Concordia’s degree are met;
2. That the coursework required for the second degree includes at least 32 hours beyond the first degree;
3. That residency requirements be met as follows: Concordia 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;
4. 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 College of Education or the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences per the course of study being followed.
The only type of financial assistance that is available for these students is educational loans, dependent upon eligibility. However, students pursuing church professional programs may be eligible for a church professional grant or LCMS district grant.
Admission to Concordia University Chicago does not imply admission to all its specified programs such as teacher education, Director of Christian Education, or Deaconess. 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 outlined in detail under the program section of this catalog for clarification of your program’s requirements.