Welcome to Concordia University Chicago and thank you for your interest in applying to one of our master's programs.

Admission may be granted for fall, spring or summer semesters, with the exception of the Master of Arts in Religion, which begins annually each fall semester. All documents relating to admission should be submitted to Concordia University’s Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services prior to the deadline for your anticipated term of enrollment. See your degree of interest on for application and file completion deadlines.

Admission requirements for the MBA programs are distinct from those for the master's programs. View MBA admission requirements.

Admission Requirements for U.S. and International Applicants

To be considered for admission to a master's program, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and submit the following:

  • Application for admission: Apply online.
  • Objective Statement
    Provide information on your future educational goals and/or objectives and their relationship to pursuing graduate work at Concordia University Chicago. This is part of the online application.
  • Transcripts
    Provide one official, sealed transcript from each institution through which a degree was earned.
  • International Transcripts
    Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia-approved international credentialing service. Concordia-Chicago accepts course-by-course evaluations fromWES (World Education Services) ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), or AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers).
  • Two letters of recommendation
    Letters should be from individuals able to comment on the applicant's academic proficiency, personal character and competence and effectiveness in professional work.
  • Prerequisite credit
    Prerequisite credit requirements vary by degree program. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the School Counseling program require 12 earned credit hours at the undergraduate level in a discipline appropriate to each respective program, with a grade of C or above. Most other master’s degree programs do not have a prerequisite credit requirement.
  • Program specific requirements
    For the Master of Arts in Teaching and the School Counseling programs, students will be required to take the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) and submit passing scores. A writing sample and essay are required for a student to qualify for these programs.

All documents should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services, Concordia University Chicago, 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, IL 60305. The office fax number is (708) 209-3454.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are required to meet all admission standards listed for the program they wish to enter. In addition, the following are required to be considered for admission:

  • English Language Proficiency
    International applicants who have earned an advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States, or students from an international English-speaking university need not submit English language scores. Otherwise, applicants must demonstrate one of the following: 
    — Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 72 (internet-based), or
    — International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.0, or
    — Password Test score of at least 6.0, or
    — Michigan test score of 85, or
    — Pearson Test of English score of at least 61, or
    — Proof of successful completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language School or certificate of Completion of Program from an English Language Institute (ELI), along with a recommendation of the program director, or
    — King George International College (KGIC) English for Post-Secondary Education (EPE) final proficiency test score of 75% with a passing class score of 80.
  • Transcripts
    Provide official, sealed U.S. transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned.
  • Foreign Transcript Evaluation
    Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia approved international credentialing service. Concordia accepts course-by-course evaluations from WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) or AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers).
  • Professional Résumé
  • Declaration of Finances
    Submit a certified document pledging financial support for the first year of study and verifying the same for the following year/s of study.
  • Regular Admission Status
    International students must qualify for regular admission to a degree program in order to enroll.

All documents should be submitted at least seven weeks prior to the student’s expected start date.  I-20 forms will be issued after admission is granted.

GPA Requirements

Applicant's must show evidence of ability to achieve success in a graduate program through the following:

  • Full Admission
    To be considered for Full Admission, candidates will present a cumulative grade point average above 2.85 or will have earned a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Probationary Admission
    To be considered for Probationary Admission, one or more of the following special conditions may exist:
    1) a cumulative GPA between 2.25 and 2.84 (on a 4.0 scale);
    2) holding a master’s degree with a cumulative GPA below 3.0; and/or
    3) credentials/documents that raise cause for reservation for admission.
    Students admitted on probationary status must earn a 3.0 GPA in graduate course work within their first semester of enrollment to continue in the program.
  • Provisional Admission (available only to US residents and citizens)
    To be considered for Provisional Admission candidates will present credentials that generally satisfy full admission requirements, but need to satisfy additional admission requirements such as special program prerequisites. All admission requirements must be satisfied by the end of the candidate’s first semester of enrollment to continue in the program.

Superintendent endorsement and doctoral programs have higher GPA requirements. See requirements in their respective sections.

Depending on program of study, students may be required to take additional tests such as the Graduate Record Exam, Miller Analogies Test and/or the Illinois Basic Skills Test. A writing sample, essay, FBI fingerprint criminal background check, valid teaching certificate and/or interview may also be required to determine what may be necessary for a student to qualify for a graduate program.

 

Students applying for admission to a master’s, post-master’s, post baccalaureate, or for a Certificate of Advanced Studies may enroll in an eligible program with Pending Status if all the required documentation has not been received at the time the student wishes to register for the course. Students admitted under Pending Status may register for courses in their initial term of admission only. To register for subsequent terms, pending students must be unconditionally admitted to the graduate program for which they have applied. Students entering with Pending Status are not eligible for any form of financial assistance from the university.

Doctoral and international students are not eligible to enroll with Pending Status.