The American system of higher education differs from the Norwegian system in some ways. To help you reach a good decision about your study, we encourage you to consider these factors.

You apply to and are accepted by Concordia College, not to a specific faculty or department at our school.  Practically speaking this can be an advantage, especially if you aren't completely certain yet what field you wish to study.  Many Concordia students come and take courses in more than one area to discover their interests and talents, and then decide what their major field of study will be.

Each degree seeking student has to have a major field of study (called major for short).  A major is the main focus of your study, and these courses provide in depth knowledge to prepare you for a career or for further study in that field.  In addition to these courses in your major, some of your courses will be in the core curriculum.  The remaining courses are your choice - if you choose to take all of these in one field of study you may obtain a double major, or if you take about half of these in one area you can obtain a minor field of study (called minor for short).

A list of majors and minors offered at Concordia is available.

Like most American schools Concordia uses a system of credits called semester hour credits.  Most classes at Concordia meet for about 4 hours each week for the full semester and so earn 4 semester hour credits.  Full time students typically take 12 to 17 semester hour credits each semester and we have two semesters each year, or 24 to 34 semester hour credits per academic year.  4 semester hour credits at Concordia is commonly equivalent to 7.5 to 10 ECTS credits or studiepoeng.  To graduate from Concordia a student needs an accumulation of 126 semester hour credits.

Concordia offers what is called a liberal arts education.  This means that in addition to study in your major, you also take courses outside your major that enhance your education beyond career preparation only.  This style of education is common in the United States and is highly regarded for the quality of education students attain.

At Concordia, and in America in general, grades are determined through a variety of tests, assignments, papers, and projects throughout the semester.  The grade is not based solely on a final exam at the end of the semester.

You may read the impressions other Norwegians students had of Concordia here. 

Information For:

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