Undergraduate Catalog

Director of Christian Education Programs

The DCE Program prepares men and women to serve in the Lutheran Church, primarily in congregational settings. Initiated in the mid-1960's, Concordia has a long history of providing The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with parish educators who work with children, youth, and adults.

In the undergraduate Director of Christian Education Program, the student has two possible options. The program can be tied into teacher certification at the elementary level or it can be a DCE certification only program without state certification as a teacher. Other options not available at the time of publication for this bulletin can be secured from the DCE Coordinator.

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 must also have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in their DCE core courses. All courses used in the GPA calculations must have a grade of C or better and cannot be taken under the P/DF grade option.

Students must also have a valid criminal background check on file in the DCE office.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Option I: DCE Certification with Illinois Teacher Certification (167-186 hours)

This program prepares the student for DCE certification by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and for Illinois State Teaching Certification.

Under Option I involving teacher certification, the requirements for admission are:

• Complete the general requirements for admission to the College of Education.
• Submit the application form to the College of Education.
• Submit an application for admission to the DCE program following the successful completion of EDL-2991 DCE Practicum I.
• Complete the interview process as designed by the DCE Program Coordinator.
• Complete the appropriate personality surveys.

Elementary Education General Education Core (37 hours)

Mission Specific (9-12 hours)

• IDS-1970 Freedom and Responsibility (transfer students exempt)
• IDS-4970 Values and Virtues
• THY-2000 Old Testament
• THY-3100 New Testament

Program Support (2-22 hours)

• HIS-2200 History of the American People
• HUM-1970 Arts and Ideas
• NSCI-1110 Concepts in Chemistry and Biology
• NSCI-1120 Concepts in Physics and Earth Science
• PES-1000 Fitness and Wellness
• SBS-1970 Diversity in American Society
• One non-western course

Education Major (28 hours)

• EDU-2020 Principles & Technology in Education
• EDU-3000 Multicultural Education
• EDU-4100 Foundations and Ethics of American Education
• EDU-4400 Literature for Children and Adolescents
• EDU-4900A Literacy I
• MAT-1411 Math Concepts I
• PSY-2400 Educational Psychology
• PSY-4105 Developmental Psychology: Middle Childhood
• PSY-4410 Psychology and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner
• NSCI-1130 Problem Solving and Application
• First Aid/CPR Certification available through the American Red Cross

Professional Courses (24 hours)

• Elementary Methods Block I
• EDU-4900B Literacy II
• MAE-4901 Teaching Mathematics
• ART-4901 Teaching of Art
• Elementary Methods Block II
• EDU-4902A Teaching Music
• EDU-4902B Teaching Physical Education
• EDU-4902C Teaching Science
• EDU-4902D Teaching Social Science
• Professional Semester
• EDU-4920 Student Teaching – Elementary
• EDU-4922 Classroom Management: Elementary
• PSY-4920 Assessment: Elementary Education

Additional Theology (13 hours)

• THY-2200 Faith of the Christian Church
• THY-3210 Christian Life
• THY-4505 Spiritual Nurture: Elementary Age Child
• THY-4410 World Religions

DCE Core (32 hours)

• EDL-2991 DCE Practicum I
• EDL-2992 DCE Practicum II
• EDL-4311 Parish Teaching I
• EDL-4312 Parish Teaching II
• EDL-4320 Administration of Parish Education
• EDL-4330 Youth Ministry Theory and Practice
• EDL-4340 Church Leadership Development
• EDL-4911 Director of Christian Education Seminar I
• EDL-4912 Director of Christian Education Seminar II
• PSY-4201 Counseling Skills
• THY-4400 Worship and Witness
• THY-4450 Ministry to the Family

DCE Internship (24 hours)

• EDL 4990

Option II: DCE Certification only (152-154 hours)

This program prepares the student for DCE certification by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Liberal Arts General Studies (37-38 hours)

Mission Specific (9-12 hours)

• IDS-1970 Freedom and Responsibility (transfer students exempt)
• IDS-4970 Values and Virtues
• THY-2000 Old Testament
• THY-3100 New Testament

Program Support (2 hours)

• PES-1000 Fitness and Wellness

DCE Major (32 hours)

• EDL-2991 DCE Practicum I
• EDL-2992 DCE Practicum II
• EDL-4311 Parish Teaching I
• EDL-4312 Parish Teaching II
• EDL-4320 Administration of Parish Education
• EDL-4330 Youth Ministry Theory and Practice
• EDL-4340 Church Leadership Development
• EDL-4911 Director of Christian Education Seminar I
• EDL-4912 Director of Christian Education Seminar II
• PSY-4201 Counseling Skills
• THY-4400 Worship & Witness
• THY-4450 Ministry to Families

Christian Education Support Courses (12 hours)

• EDL-2300 Parish Education in Perspective
• EDU-2400 Educational Psychology
• EDU-3000 Multicultural Education
• PSY-4410 Psychology and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner

Theology Minor (19 hours)

• THY-2200 Faith of the Christian Church
• THY-3210 Christian Life
• THY-4410 World Religions
• Choose one Biblical Studies course
• Choose on Historical Theology course
• Choose one course with a THY prefix

DCE Specialization (15-17 semester hours)

• Choose one of the five specializations listed below.

Youth Ministry (15-17 hours)

• Required - 6 hours
• EDL-4330 Youth Ministry Theory and Practice
• PSY-4110 Developmental Psychology
• Select 9-11 remaining hours from the following:
• ART-4420 Liturgical Arts Studio
• CTH-4230 Organizational and Team Communication
• CTH-4330 Film Appreciation
• CTH-4710 Creative Dramatics
• PES-2600 Water Safety Instruction
• PES-3300 Recreational Leadership
• PSY-4210 Group Theory and Leadership
• PSY-4505 Human Sexuality
• SOC-4320 Juvenile Delinquency
• SOC-4420 Marriage and the Family
• SOW-4310 Loss and Mourning
• THY-4500 Spiritual Nurture of the Young Child
• THY-4505 Spiritual Nurture: Elementary Age Child
• THY-4510 Spiritual Nurture of the Adolescent
• THY-4530 Educational Ministry of the Church
• THY-4540 Theories of Religious Instruction

Family Ministry (15-17 hours)

• Required - 6 hours
• SOC-4420 Marriage and the Family
• THY-4450 Ministry to the Family
• Select 9-11 remaining hours from the following:
• CTH-4220 Interpersonal Communication
• CTH-4230 Organizational and Team Communication
• PSY-4110 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence
• PSY-4505 Human Sexuality
• SOC-4320 Juvenile Delinquency
• SOC-4410 Child, Family, and Community
• SOW-4310 Loss and Mourning
• THY-4500 Spiritual Nurture of the Young Child
• THY-4510 Spiritual Nurture of the Adolescent

Music (17 hours)

• Required - 13 hours
• MUS-2113 Music Theory I
• MUS-2111 Aural Skills I
• MUS-4452 The Children's Choir
• MUS-4313 Music for the Contemporary Church
• MUS-1661 Class Voice
• MUS-1371 The Church Musician
• MUS-1641 Keyboard Skills I
• MUS-1651 Keyboard Skills II
• Applied Music - 2 hours
• Piano, Organ, Voice, or Guitar - 2 hours
• Ensemble - 2 hours (4 semesters)
• MUSE-3930 Schola Cantorum
  or
• MUSE-3900 Kapelle

Evangelism (15 hours)

• Required - 6 hours
• THY-4700 Personal Evangelism and Witness
• Corporate Evangelism
• Select 9 remaining hours from the following:
• Urban Evangelism and Outreach
• Multicultural Evangelism and Outreach
• THY-4410 World Religions

Student Designed Specialization (17 hours)

• This specialization must have a cohesive focus pertaining to DCE ministry and must receive the approval of the DCE Coordinator.

DCE Internship (24 hours)

• EDL-4990

Option III: Post-Baccalaureate Director of Christian Education Certification

The Concordia University Director of Christian Education (DCE) 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.

Program 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.
• To be considered for admission, the student must submit the following materials to the College of Education:

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 student fulfills their requirements is flexible. Up to one-fourth of the course requirements, excluding the 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.