By keeping Christ at the center, a classical Lutheran education forms people for lives of virtue, service and, most importantly, faith.

A classical education shapes both your mind and soul, preparing you for a life of purpose, service and faith. Built around the seven liberal arts, you will grow into a well-rounded person by focusing on the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. As a classical education student, you'll develop the wisdom, creativity and critical thinking needed to navigate a complex world.

Classical Lutheran Educator Program

The Classical Lutheran Educator Program is one of six church work programs offered at CUC and prepares for LCMS certification and rostering as a Minister of Religion—Commissioned. Enter Classical Lutheran Educator in the search on CUC’s undergraduate catalog for detailed program requirements.

Program requirements include observation and field experience as part of the Classical Pedagogy Minor. Scholars will complete one of the following tracks, based on the age level and major preferred. Latin or Greek is required as part of the Classical Liberal Studies major and minor. The scholar should consult with the Program Leader to make appropriate choices.

This program is ideal for any pre-professional course of study, including or pre-seminary program. Likewise, a Classical Liberal Studies degree provides a solid foundation for future graduate programs including English, theology or history. Also, unique to Concordia-Chicago is that a woman in the Deaconess Program may concurrently complete requirements as a Classical Lutheran Educator.

For scholars of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who desire certification as a Minister of Religion—Commissioned, in addition to the requirements indicated below, scholars will take EDU-4900 Lutheran Teacher: Vocation & Methods, earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all college-level coursework, and successfully complete all requirements of CUC’s Synodical Placement Office. CUC’s Synodical Placement Director will oversee and coordinate the process whereby a Classical Lutheran Educator receives certification and placement.

  • General Education – Honors Program
  • 36 hrs. Major: Classical Liberal Studies (BA)
  • 18 hrs. Minor: Classical Pedagogy
  • 18 hrs. Minor: Church Worker Theology
  • CLS-4990 Classical Pedagogy Internship. A supervised internship of 8-16 weeks full-time is required in a school that is an accredited member of a recognized classical professional association (e.g. CCLE, ACCS, SCL).

  • General Education – Honors Program
  • 36 hrs. Major: Content area (eg. Math, English, History, Music, Philosophy, Theology, Interdisciplinary; degree will be a BA in that area)
  • 18 hrs. Minor: Classical Pedagogy
  • 18 hrs. Minor: Church Worker Theology
  • CLS-4990 Classical Pedagogy Internship. A supervised internship of 8-16 weeks full- time is required in a school that is an accredited member of a recognized classical professional association (e.g. CCLE, ACCS, SCL).

Classical Educator Program

The Classical Educator Program is designed for scholars who desire to teach in settings that do not require LCMS rostering and therefore does not require the Church Worker Theology Minor. Enter Classical Educator in the search on CUC’s undergraduate catalog for detailed program requirements.

  • General Education – Honors Program
  • 36 hrs. Major: Classical Liberal Studies (BA)
  • 18 hrs. Minor: Classical Pedagogy
  • CLS-4990 Classical Pedagogy Internship. A supervised internship of 8-16 weeks full-time is required in a school that is an accredited member of a recognized classical professional association (e.g. CCLE, ACCS, SCL).

  • General Education – Honors Program
  • 36 hrs. Major: Content area (eg. Math, English, History, Music, Philosophy, Theology, Interdisciplinary; degree will be a BA in that area)
  • 18 hrs. Minor: Classical Pedagogy
  • CLS-4990 Classical Pedagogy Internship. A supervised internship of 8-16 weeks full- time is required in a school that is an accredited member of a recognized classical professional association (e.g. CCLE, ACCS, SCL).

The Importance of Classical Education

Hosted by President Russell Dawn

Filmed at the Greek Temple of Concordia in Agrigento, Sicily, Dr. Dawn leads on an in-depth exploration of the main components of classical education as he uncovers its importance as a key component of a Concordia-Chicago education.

Classical Education Study Opportunities

Experiencing classical education at CUC is not exclusive to students enrolled in Classical Ed academic programs--there are many exciting opportunities for all students from all majors to delve into topics of truth, vocation and freedom.

  • Annual CUC Classical Education Study Trip - The purpose of the annual Classical Education Study Trip is to provide firsthand experience with the tap roots of the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian worlds and the cultures and wonders emerging from them. While the trip is primarily for scholars, faculty, and staff, as space allows, alumni and supporters are welcome. Destinations are chosen for their connection to CUC’s curricula and classical education. 
  • Study Abroad
    • Westfield House 
      Spend a semester living, studying and worshipping at Westfield House in Cambridge, England--one of the world’s most historic university towns.

  • Student and Faculty Study Groups - Faculty in the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities host weekly conversations with students to advance learning and debate on great thinkers. Recent studies have been on Boethius’s "The Consolation of Philosophy" and Augustine’s "City of God." It is a wonderful opportunity for scholars of all ages to discuss important texts together.

    Faculty also engage in professional development to study classical thought and pedagogy in various courses throughout the college.

  • Lecture Series
    • Lectureship in Christianity, Humanities and Public Life
      Established in the fall of 2021, the Lectureship in Christianity, Humanities and Public Life is a biannual series committed to and motivated by the biblical teaching that by and through Christ all things were created, and “in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17).
  • Arts at Concordia - Scholars, faculty and staff lead and participate directly in show-stopping productions and exhibits. From Shakespeare to Bach, from alternative theater to a premier exhibit by the latest trendsetting local painters, Concordia-Chicago offers a wealth of artistic experiences to our campus and our community
  • Centers of Excellence 
    • Center for Christian Education
    • Center for Church Music
    • Free Enterprise Center
      The Free Enterprise Student Fellows Program connects interested students to the philosophical background of the liberty movement. Through the book club, speaker series, and conference opportunities, students grapple with great thinkers throughout history, including Plato, Aristotle, the Church Fathers, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Adam Smith, the American Founders, Alexis de Tocqueville, Frederic Bastiat, Milton Friedman and many others. Student Fellows produce publishable journalistic articles each year on a theme of their choice, which allows them to apply the wisdom they’ve gained to a contemporary problem.