College of Arts & Sciences

Training extraordinary thinkers, professionals and leaders:
The College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences Concordia University Chicago, under the leadership of Dean of the College Gary Wenzel, Ph.D., prepares students with a strong foundation for careers or immediate immersion in graduate study in a range of fields directly after graduation.  Exciting work currently taking place within the College includes:

• Enrolling students in our new bachelor of science program in applied microscopy—only the second such degree program in the nation. A joint program between Concordia and the internationally renowned College of Microscopy, applied microscopy is the scientific study and use of highly specialized microscopes to analyze materials on a nearly sub-atomic scale. Due to rapid technology advances, highly trained microscopists are in extraordinarily high demand by employers in a range of industries.

• Integrating “gold standard” forensic substance identification technology throughout our biology, curricula and research, through a three-year National Science Foundation grant to purchase a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. As part of the project, Concordia faculty will also share faculty experience and build expertise among other area university and high school educators in implementing GC/MS project-based laboratories.

• Establishing a partnership with Rush University College of Nursing to offer a master’s degree in general nursing, enabling students to earn their bachelor of science degrees at Concordia and spend their next two years at Rush University Medical Center to compete the master’s degree.

• Launching additional in-demand programs including a summer medical school preparation certificate program, taught by our faculty and partner physicians to help under-prepared undergraduate and graduate students prepare for medical school.

• Offering new bachelor of arts programs in media arts, visual arts and theatre arts administration, as well as music management. These new programs, based in the liberal arts, complement their counterparts in the College of Business, where the degrees emphasize a business foundation.

In addition to the sciences and arts including Concordia’s historic and nationally known Department of Music, the College provides bachelor’s degree options in a range of specialties within visual art, communication and theatre; English; history, political science and philosophy; human performance; mathematics and computer science; psychology; sociology and social work; and theology and languages.

The College also provides comprehensive undergraduate degree programs and training for students pursuing careers as deaconesses, directors of Christian education, directors of parish music, Lutheran elementary, secondary or early childhood teachers or seminarians. Master's programs are offered in community counseling, gerontology, human services administration or exercise science, liberal studies, music, psychology, religion and school counseling.

Many students also benefit from Concordia’s long tradition of supervised work experience offerings: work experience in business, industry and other professional environments while receiving academic credit for applying learned concepts and theories to practical situations on the job.

In addition, a few of the many recent internship sites for students include Baird & Warner, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Coca-Cola, Health Fitness Corporation, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Shriner’s Hospital, Walgreens, WGN Radio, the White House and the YMCA.