Certificate Programs

Certificate Programs

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 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 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 or available in the CU*Succeed Office)

• Human Resource Management

• Completed Application (online or available in the CU*Succeed Office)

• 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 hours – oral communication course
• Information Technology Management

• Completed Application (online or available in the CU*Succeed Office)

• 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 hours – oral communication
• Organizational Processes

• Completed Application (online or available in the CU*Succeed Office)

• 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 hours – oral communication
• Piano Pedagogy

• Completed Application (online or available in the CU*Succeed Office)

Certificate In Coaching

Concordia University 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 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% 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 21st 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, it employees.

Those who pursue the Certificate in Human Resource 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 more likely to buy and adapt existing packages rather than develop them, sometimes with minimal or no technical support.
• Computers available and used by small businesses and companies, not just large corporations.  As such, small-business owners are being expected to manage their own technology and information resources with little or no support. 
• 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

The certificate provides a balance of organizational behavior, interpersonal communication, and effective writing skills.  These skills are sought after by many organizations, profit or non-profit.  In fact, those who graduated with discipline-specific degrees are now 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 RF. 

Certificate Requirements          12 hours

• CENG-2000 Writing that Works 3 hours
• OMP-4000 Group & Organizational Dynamics 3 hours
• OMP-4020 Systems Approach to Org Change 3 hours
• OMP-4240 Organizational Communication 3 hours

Certificate in Piano Pedagogy

Concordia University 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.