Church Professions Catalog Information
An Interdisciplinary Program Programs offered • Certificate Program in Church Professions • Major in Healthcare Management/Long-Term Care Administration as a Church Profession • Major in Education for Christian Day School Teachers • Major in Music for Music Ministry/Church Music Directors • Major in Religion for Christian Education Directors • Major in Religion for Family Ministry • Major in Religion for Youth Ministry • Preseminary Preparation for Ordained Parish Pastors • Certificate of Completion for Parish Nurse Preparation • Preprofessional Preparation for Social Work • Certificate Program for Social Work Majors Interested in Church Professions Concordia offers many courses that provide initial preparation for individuals desiring to work in church leadership positions including congregations, church-related schools, youth ministry programs, social ministry organizations, hospitals, and agencies providing long-term health care. Through Concordia’s church professions program, students can explore different types of ministry settings and determine the setting that best matches their skills and interests. Curriculum revision is underway as the church professions program becomes incorporated in Concordia’s new Institute for Faith and Public Life. Major goals of the institute include exploring callings for responsible participation in God’s world and a vision of vocation as faith active in love of others. Many church professionals receive training at the master’s level. Concordia courses prepare students to pursue study at that level. Individuals desiring to serve as ordained ministers or as ELCA associates in ministry should note the suggestions for preparation listed below. Other individuals work in church positions with a bachelor’s degree. The church professions program is designed for these individuals and involves the following: • an introductory course that provides students with an opportunity to explore a church profession • a major and a minor combining religion and selected professional fields • a supervised internship or practicum • a capstone course that challenges students to reflect on their practicum experience All students considering professional positions in the church are advised to contact their church offices to determine the specific requirements for employment, certification, or ordination in their denomination. For further information on religion course offerings and concentration requirements, please see the religion pages of the catalog. Similarly, for other majors listed here, consult those particular department pages. Preparation Toward Certification as an ELCA Associate in Ministry An Associate in Ministry (AiM) is a lay professional who is certified by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for leadership in one of a number of different areas of service, such as Christian day school teacher, director of Christian education, director of youth ministry and minister of music. Individuals may apply for certification only after receiving a bachelor’s degree and completing one year of successful, supervised field experience in their specialty area. The ELCA requires an individual to have 5 credits in courses focused on the Christian/Lutheran tradition including the Bible, theology, confessions, and church history. Individuals anticipating certification as an Associate in Ministry can apply coursework at Concordia to these requirements. Students from other denominations may find comparable requirements and opportunities. Major in Healthcare Management (Long-Term Care Administration) as a Church Profession Many long-term care facilities have church ownership or affiliation, and they seek administrators who are committed to the mission of a church-related organization. Through the School of Business, Concordia students can pursue a major that prepares them for a career as an administrator in a long-term care facility. Concordia’s program is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators. The church professions program for long-term care administration requires: • a major in healthcare management (long-term care administration) • a minor in religion • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 210 – Capstone course, 4 credits • BUS 492 – Practicum in Long-Term Care, 4 credits Major in Education for Christian Day School Teachers A major in education for Christian day school teachers prepares students for careers in the ELCA’s 271 elementary and secondary schools serving more than 150,000 students nationwide. Schools seek certified teachers who, in addition to their professional preparation, have studied religion at the college level, particularly courses in Bible and theology. For students participating in the Church Professions Christian Day School Teacher program, the preparations include: • a major in education • a minor in religion • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 210 – Capstone course, 4 credits • an education practicum Major in Music for Music Ministry/Church Music Directors The major in music for music ministry and/or church music directors meets congregations’ needs for musicians who are knowledgeable about appropriate church music and who can develop musical talent within the local community. Music education with a choral emphasis, particularly if it includes organ, is an excellent preparation for music ministry. Graduate study is encouraged. The Church Professions Music Ministry program requires: • a major in music • a minor in religion • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 210 – Capstone course, 4 credits • CHPR 490 – Internship, 4 credits Major in Religion for Christian Education Directors Many congregations employ individuals to direct Christian education programs that serve children, youth and adults. For students participating in the Church Professions Christian Education Director program, preparations include: • a religion major • completion of the six-course Church Professions distribution (see listings below) • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 210 – Capstone course, 4 credits • CHPR 490 – Internship, 4 credits Major in Religion for Family Ministry Congregations, outdoor ministry groups and other faith-based agencies are seeking individuals who understand family issues and are prepared to provide programs for families and their members. For students participating in the Church Professions Family Ministry program, preparation includes: • a major in religion • a minor in child and family studies (parent and family education program) OR the six-course church professions distribution (see listings below) • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 490 – Church Professions Internship, 4 credits OR CFS 490 – Practicum in Parent Education, 4 credits Major in Religion for Youth Ministry The major in religion for youth ministry prepares students to become directors of youth ministry and other ministries for children and teens. Many congregations and camps are seeking leaders for youth ministry programs. For students participating in the Church Professions Youth Ministry program, preparation includes: • a major in religion • a minor in psychology OR the six-course church professions distribution (see listings below) OR a minor in child and family studies • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 490 – Internship, 4 credits • Students who minor in psychology or child and family studies are also required to take: – EDUC 350 – The Art and Science of Teaching, 2 credits – EDUC 351 – The Ecology of the Educational Setting, 2 credits Church Professions Distribution for Youth Ministry and Family Ministry Tracks The distribution requirements are 24 credits in the following categories: Teaching: • EDUC 351 – The Ecology of the Educational Setting, 2 credits • 8 credits from: – EDUC 210 – Foundations in K-12 Education, 2 credits – EDUC 322 – Children’s Literature, 2 credits – EDUC 350 – The Art and Science of Teaching, 2 credits – EDUC 374 – Young Adult Literature, 2 credits – CFS 454 – Methods of Teaching Parenting, 2 credits – COM 314 – Small-Group Interaction, 4 credits – CFS 389 – Adult Education, 2 credits Family: • 4 credits from: – SOC 231 – Sociology of Families, 4 credits – CFS 220 – Family Systems, 4 credits – CFS 412 – Multicultural Families, 4 credits – PSYC 357 – Abnormal Psychology, 4 credits Child/Development: • PSYC 206 – Developmental Psychology, 4 credits OR CFS 236 – Child Development, 4 credits Social Systems: • SWK 386 – Church Social Work and Social Ministry, 4 credits OR PSYC 351 – Social Psychology, 4 credits Preseminary Preparation for Ordained Parish Pastors Concordia has a long and distinguished history of graduates who go on to seminary. In fact, more ELCA pastors in the United States have received their undergraduate education at Concordia than at any other college or university. While seminaries do not require a specific major, they prefer students with a liberal arts background. They encourage a religion major or minor or at least some religion courses. Some seminaries require courses in Greek and philosophy (both of which are offered at Concordia) as prerequisites. Parish Nursing Many congregations across the country are adding parish nurses to their professional church staff. The parish nurse serves the congregation as a health educator, health counselor, referral source, coordinator of volunteers and as an integrator of faith and health issues. The certificate of completion for the basic parish nurse preparation course is only available to individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing, or are in their final semester of completion. Undergraduate students anticipating practicing as a parish nurse can gain initial exposure and preparation through the church professions program. This involves: • a major in nursing • a minor in religion • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 210 – Capstone course, 4 credits • a nursing practicum Certificate Program for Social Work Majors Interested in Church Professions There is a clear need for licensed social workers who understand the values of and are committed to working within church-related social ministry organizations and institutions. The church professions program assists individuals as they begin preparing for work in such locations while they are completing a baccalaureate degree or completing requirements for social work licensure. The Church Professions Social Worker Certificate program requires: • a major in social work • a minor in religion • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • CHPR 210 – Capstone course, 4 credits • SWK 490 – Practicum in Social Work, 8 credits Social Ministry Organization and Faith Community Leadership Faith communities are major providers of social services in our society and world. Concordia attracts many students who go on to assume leadership positions in faith-based service institutions. Social ministry organizations and the several related areas including healthcare management and long-term care, Christian day-school teachers, music ministry, Christian education directors, family and youth ministry, parish nursing and church social work are always looking for leaders equipped with many diverse skills to take on ever-growing challenges and needs. At this time, Concordia has yet to develop a dedicated concentration in social ministry organization and faith community leadership. However, students interested in this area of church professions are encouraged to work with the church professions coordinator to develop a plan of study that meets student concerns and goals.
Church Professions Courses
CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits. E1. A multi-disciplinary opportunity to explore vocational leadership interests in congregations and in church-related social and public ministry organizations. This course is the required entry-level course for all students in the church professions program. The course is open to any student exploring church professions careers and ministry of the laity opportunities.
CHPR 201 – Youth and Family Ministry, 4 credits. E2. This course examines contemporary philosophies and models for youth and family ministry. Students will explore the theological foundation for these models and practices, and begin to gain the practical skills necessary to effectively serve as youth and family ministry professionals in congregations and parachurch organizations. This course is open to all students.
CHPR 210 – Capstone course, 4 credits. E2. Through case studies, students learn practical theology knowledge and applications of how to handle different situations in congregations. This class also provides a chance to reflect upon internship experiences. This course is the required capstone course for all students in the church professions program. Prerequisites: CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, and previous or concurrent registration in practicum in church professions.
CHPR 390 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 4 credits.
CHPR 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits.
CHPR 490 – Internship, 4 credits. E. An internship of 180 hours in a church-related organization. Prerequisites: CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions
Course Catalog
