Each of the following programs has particular requirements for admission. With the exception of the Master of Education, the admission requirements listed here must be met in addition to the basic criteria for admission to Concordia College.
Education
To receive full admission to the Education Program, students must meet the following minimum requirements:
- A minimum GPA of 2.75. Students must maintain a 2.75 or better while in the program in order to be licensed.
- A successful clinical experience in EDUC 212 American Education in a Diverse World meaning that the student completed all 35 hours to the satisfaction of the cooperating classroom teacher.
- A successful final interview during the final exam time for EDUC 212 American Education in a Diverse World.
- Favorable final evaluations of professional dispositions from the classroom teacher and the EDUC 212 professor. These evaluations of professional dispositions indicate that students possess the necessary foundational skills for entrance into a pre-professional program.
- A grade of B- or higher in EDUC 212.
For approval to student teach, students must:
- Be admitted to the teacher education program;
- Have current professional liability insurance;
- Retain at least 2.75 cumulative GPA in the major/add-on endorsement in which they wish to teach. The elementary education major GPA will be computed on the courses with an education prefix (EDUC) that are required in the elementary education program. The major GPA in secondary/K-12 programs consists of the subject-area courses listed in the catalog for the teaching major and the relevant methods of teaching course(s);
- Have no grades of F or I in any course required for your major;
- Successfully complete sophomore- and junior-level clinical experiences with positive recommendations from college and classroom supervisors;
- Be approved by each department in which they have a teaching major;
- Achieve senior status;
- Successfully complete EDUC 399 - Orientation to Student Teaching; and
- Pass all departmental proficiency and/or participation requirements.
For admittance to the program:
Students who do not meet all of the requirements listed above, (excluding a B- or better in EDUC 212), may still apply to the Education Program. The Student Review Committee will individually review these applications, and if evidence indicates that the student can be successful in the program, the student may be given a temporary admission on a probationary status or the admission may be denied. This might require additional steps on the part of the student before admission may be granted. Students denied admission may not take any further courses in the Education program until minimum requirements are met.
For student teaching:
Students must be enrolled in EDUC 399 - Orientation to Student Teaching, the semester before they plan to student teach. While students are enrolled in EDUC 399, the department of education conducts the departmental approval for each prospective student and informs the students of the decision to admit or not admit them for student teaching.
Music
Within the Bachelor of Arts degree program, a student may declare a major or minor in Music or a major in Music and Business Entrepreneurship without an interview or audition. All other music majors (Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and all Bachelor of Music degree programs) require an audition and interview to be admitted to the program. Transfer students interested in a music major are advised to consult with the music department to assess their incoming ability and placement in aural skills, music theory, and piano.
Nursing – Professional Nursing Program
The pre-nursing program is open to all high school graduates and college students who wish to pursue a nursing major and earn a baccalaureate degree. To enter the pre-nursing program, students must be admitted to Concordia; however, applicants should note that admission to the college does not grant admission to the professional nursing major.
The professional nursing major begins the fall semester of the year following application to the major. The application must be submitted to the nursing department by the March deadline as posted in the nursing department during the first year to be considered for the major and progress on a four-year college plan. Late applications may be considered on a rolling admissions basis if the cohort is unfilled. Criteria for application to the major includes: a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 in all post-high school coursework completed by the date of application, and a minimum selective GPA of 3.0 in specific courses to be completed prior to application to the major. Application and progression criteria are defined in the nursing section of the catalog. Application forms may be obtained in the nursing department. Students are notified of their admission status in May. Pre-nursing students are encouraged to consult with a nursing faculty member or their nursing advisor about admission criteria prior to the application deadline, and information specific to early admission criteria.
Because state regulations require a specific student-faculty ratio in the clinical practicum, enrollment in the professional nursing program is limited and based on available resources and clinical placement availability. Therefore, admission is competitive and based on the following:
- GPA (2.80 Overall GPA and 3.00 Selective GPA)
- Completion of the prerequisite courses with a passing letter grade
- Eligibility for sophomore standing
- Submission of the completed application materials
- Personal references
- An impromptu essay or interview
- A one-page résumé
- Consideration will be given to students who have attended Concordia College. Refer to the nursing section in the catalog for additional admission and program information.
Social Work
Students who wish to pursue a major in social work should declare social work as a major through the Registrar's Office. All students planning to major in social work should request from the registrar to be assigned an advisor from the social work program. Because courses follow a sequence, transfer students or students deciding on the major during or after the fall semester of their sophomore year should meet with the social work program director as soon as possible to develop their educational plan.
Students majoring in social work must make written application for acceptance into the social work program after completing SWK 150 Social Work and Social Justice with a B- or better. Program application information is distributed to declared majors each semester with applications typically accepted every semester prior to the mid-semester break. Admission is based on the following:
- Completion of SWK 150 with a B- or better.
- An overall GPA of 2.5.
- Submission of the completed application materials (application form, reference forms, application essay).
- Completion of 30 hours contextual learning experience with a Contextual Learning Evaluation.
- Admissions interview with social work faculty.
The social work faculty review application materials to make an admission decision. The social work program director will notify students in writing of the admission decision. To maintain eligibility for the social work major, students must pass all required social work courses with a C- or higher, maintain a 2.5 GPA in social work courses and a 2.5 Concordia GPA.