Bachelor of Science in Finance

at Concordia University, St. Paul USA

In the business program, students will learn to think about the overall picture of a business’s operations and how it interacts with larger market forces. A business management major at Concordia St. Paul will develop business skills in leadership, team-building, and project management. They will explore core business principles in marketing, finance, management, law, economics, and accounting with an emphasis on international perspectives and ethics.

Students studying business management develop crucial business skills in project management, team-building, HR management, and negotiations to enter the broad field of management. Using core business principles in marketing, finance, management, economics and entrepreneurship, develop a personal management style, learn motivation tactics, and utilize strategic planning skills with an emphasis on ethics. Investigate various dimensions of business decisions by delving into case studies and working as a consultant with area businesses to develop strategies for competitive advantage and growth.

Communication Studies involves exploring the ways humans create, transmit, negotiate, and understand meaning through the exchange of messages. The study of the personal, social, political, and cultural functions of communication across multiple contexts prepares students to be thoughtful and informed citizens, prepared to thrive in a dynamic, global marketplace.

Lifelong skills such as speaking, working in groups, working with new media, organization, critical thinking, and writing form the foundation of the Communication Studies program. Classroom and on-the-job internship experiences prepare students for thoughtful and informed entry into countless career choices. The Communication Studies major is based on research data which indicates that employers are interested in potential employees with skills in oral communication, listening, writing, interpersonal communication, interviewing and small group communication, and who have some career training and orientation.

This intensive 80 credit program is designed to prepare students at the highest level for creative professions like graphic design and other communications-related fields that rely on visual imagery. Students will gain an understanding of design theories and practices related to production in all areas of graphic design for traditional and emerging digital formats. The addition of substantial advanced studio, theory, and contextual work beyond the BA means that upon completion of the program students will understand professional level craft, theory, process, and technical skills, and an ability to produce thoughtful and informed work in such areas as institutional branding and identity, new media, web development and interactivity, package design, publication design, advertising, illustration, signage and exhibition design, sustainability, spirituality, and social change.

The Public Policy major will equip students with sufficient intellectual tools to prepare them for professional work in the public sector. Students will be trained to seek positions in organizations which deal with public policy issues such as government agencies, trade associations, lobbying organizations, nonprofit groups, regulatory agencies, and NGOs. This major will provide students with the factual, analytical, practical, and theoretical skills necessary for contemporary policy design, implementation, and evaluation.

This program is designed to prepare students for creative professions like graphic design and other communications-related fields that rely on visual imagery. Students will gain an understanding of design theories and practices related to production in all areas of graphic design for traditional and emerging digital media. Upon completion of the program, students will have advanced craft, theory, process, and technical skills, and the ability to produce thoughtful and informed work in such areas as institutional branding and identity, new media, web development and interactivity, package design, publication design, advertising, illustration, signage and exhibition design, sustainability, spirituality, or social change.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science focuses on kinesiology science concepts in human movement, exercise, and wellness. This program prepares students positions in settings such as fitness/wellness centers, personal training, coaching, rehabilitation sciences, and health and wellness education. This B.S. degree can also serve as preparation for post-baccalaureate study in areas such as physical therapy, chiropractic, human growth, aging, athletic training, biomechanics, exercise physiology, sport management, sport psychology, and more. The B.S. degree is a more in depth major with additional coursework in Biology, Mathematics, and Human Anatomy.

The Church Music major develops students into well-rounded church musicians, preparing them for careers as music professionals in a Christian worship setting.  It enjoys all of the opportunities in Concordia's Music program, but also provides these additional features:

• There are organ, choral, piano, guitar, instrumental, composition, and self-designed tracks, thus equipping students to lead both traditional liturgies and contemporary worship formats.
• Each track shares the core musicianship (music theory/analysis/writing/ear-training/keyboard harmony) and music history courses. Private lessons and ensembles applicable to each track are also part of the core.
• Each track has specialized courses, culminating in a senior project/recital in the track.
• The program culminates in recital performance in the student's chosen track(s) and an internship in a metro area church.
• Students may add Director of Parish Music Certification by completing the Lutheran Theology minor, compiling a portfolio, and passing entrance and exit interviews with the Department of Theology and Ministry. This leads to rostered church worker status as a Commissioned Minister in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

With several tracks available, the Church Music Major at Concordia allows students to pursue music ministry in the area that best suits their interests and talents.

Students graduating with a Sociology major develop lifelong skills in scientific thinking and understanding human thought, behavior, and interaction. The developed educational outcomes in combination with the internship experience prepares student to enter a career of choice or graduate school.

The 36-hour Master of Science in Information Technology Management program is designed for IT workers seeking to advance a career in information technology and/or individuals seeking to deepen their business and IT management skills and knowledge. Students will learn to be effective leaders within the technology environment and gain a firm understanding of how to grow and manage resources in a responsible and ethical manner.

The M.S. in Information Technology Management program prepares students with the business leadership skills needed to successfully lead teams in the information technology workplace. Integrating business management and technical skill development, the coursework prepares graduates with in-demand skills and competencies. Through experience-based learning, students critically explore and apply leadership theory, business strategy, data analytics, information security, project management, IT innovation and ethics.

Students in the Music major expand their creativity, analytical, research and writing skills while studying music performance, programming, analysis, composition, history, literature, education and worship music. The music program is led by accomplished and caring faculty who give one-on-one attention to students in a nurturing community.  With the support of CSP's deeply networked music faculty, students in this major are provided opportunities to ply their craft in music positions at churches, internships with local music organizations, and professional workshops.  The culmination of the major is a senior year public presentation of the student's work, in which the student plans, prepares, promotes, and presents a recital of their work.  The major prepares students for graduate work in music or other fields and employment as entry level music performers, composers, and private teachers.  The program also provides students with the communication skills, collaborative aptitude, creativity, organizational ability, and work ethic to succeed in a broad range of fields beyond music, while providing them with a lifelong outlet for joyful aesthetic expression.