Bachelor of Arts in Director of Church Ministries

at Concordia University Wisconsin USA

Music therapy is the process of using music to aid changes in behavior and brain function in order to promote health and wellness. Our music therapy program is an equivalency program offered by CUW through Alverno College. What does that mean? You’ll benefit from a well-rounded Bachelor of Arts in Music degree through CUW, while earning a Music Therapy Equivalency Degree at Alverno College. This allows you to focus on the specific courses required to become a board certified music therapist. You will follow our liberal arts music curriculum and graduate from CUW with a music therapy concentration.

A key element of your studies is learning how to work within a multidisciplinary team in medical and psychiatric hospitals, hospice, schools, and clinics. A day in your future life could involve helping Alzheimer’s patients retain memories, Parkinson’s patients improve mobilities, infants reduce their stay in the neonatal ICU, and people suffering from depression deal with their symptoms.

Because of our partnership with Alverno College, you’ll be assisted in securing a top internship position to gain hands-on experience and build up your resume for the future. As a CUW student, you will be exposed to and have opportunities to participate in a wide range of musical ensembles including band, orchestra, choir, and handbells. Besides the regular classes, we have many student-led musical groups and events to enjoy throughout the school year. The liberal arts music major program offers you the chance to interact with and learn from other music students outside of the music therapy program.

The field of public health, “promotes and protects the health of people in the communities where they live, learn, work, and play” (American Public Health Association). It is a very diverse, crosscutting discipline with vast opportunities, in both public and private sectors, at the local, state, and national levels. Through this field of study, you will truly make a difference in people’s lives

This degree offers a Lutheran Christian perspective on public health and prepares you to serve Christ around the world as a globally minded citizen working to protect and promote the public’s health. It is an engaging, multidisciplinary educational program filled with practical application opportunities to prepare you to be a strong, competitive candidate in the public health sector.

In this degree program, you will have the opportunity to personalize your concentration depending on your interest. Regardless of which concentration you choose, all undergraduate students will complete a minimum of 120 credits, including 45 credit hours of general education core curricula, 25 credit hours of required public health coursework, and 3 credit hours of a culminating/capstone project

Study how to create complex hardware and software systems, manage complex computer information systems (IT), and lead a technical team. Now offering two new tracks in Software Engineering and Computer Information Systems. Both of these tracks will build on your existing experience by deepening your skills and knowledge in the main areas of computer science. A bachelor's degree in a related field is recommended, but not required. Optional catch-up modules are available for each course to help bring you up to speed.

Upon completion of the MSCS program, you’ll be trained in problem solving, collaboration, creative design processes, professional literature, writing, presentation, and ethical practices. You’ll be prepared for advanced professional positions in software development and other technical/design-oriented roles in computing.

Program Highlights

• STEM certified
• Ethics & vocation are central themes in our program showing how professionals respond to the needs of clients, users, and society
• Program can be completed in 18 months
• Start dates available every six to eight weeks throughout the year
• Available online and in person

Graduates from the MSCS program pursue a variety of careers such as system/database administrators/architects, business intelligence analysts, software engineers, application developers, and many others. Our recent grads have gone on to work at:

• Experius
• EP Soft Technologies
• Charter Communications
• iDigital
• QA Labs
• Integra Tech
• Concurrency
• And many more

Our computer science master's program was designed with working professionals in mind. You’ll get a rigorous, quality education that fits within your busy schedule. All courses will be available online in an accelerated eight week format, but three courses per semester will be offered face-to-face on campus.

Software Engineering

The software engineering track builds or sharpens your skills in creating problem-solving tools using computers. The specialization courses dive into traditional concepts and current trends in the theory, design, and implementation of programming languages, compilers, and advanced algorithms. A MSCS degree with this concentration opens the door for advancement in a career in software development, data or business analysis, and more. People in this field with a master's degree typically perform roles such as team lead or senior developer.

It is by far the most important skill professionals have in the business world - the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately. Ironically, it is also the most widely overlooked and underestimated. Give yourself an advantage and pursue a degree in business communication. You’ll build the skills and techniques that can help your organization promote its goals, products, and services.

People think just because they communicate daily – both verbally and in written form – they don’t need to spend the time it takes to truly become adept at communicating. But even naturally gifted communicators can benefit from this program. During your time here, you’ll have the opportunity to study topics such as: public relations and press releases; group dynamics; leadership communication; interviewing strategies; conflict management skills; servant leadership; public speaking; social media theory and history; cross-cultural communication, and more. You’ll also have internship opportunities that will give you real-world experience to bring to your future workplace. Becoming a strong communicator is one of the best ways to ensure that you make a big impact in the world of business.

At the end of this program, you will not only be a stronger communicator, but also a better leader. You’ll know how to work with diverse groups, identify key messages worth sharing, and lead others by example. You’ll join the workforce with the hands-on experience needed to deliver your message -whether you’re communicating in the office, with friends and family, or to the media.

It truly is a global economy. And perhaps there’s a place for you somewhere in the mix. This program centers on international finance and global economics, offering you the global focus that today’s leaders need to effectively manage international business operations.

You’ll find evidence of our global economy in the stuff you use every day – the stuff that adds quality to your life: your phone, your computer, your car, even the clothes on your back. The truth is, much of it was built in a foreign country and imported before it went up for sale here at home. A bachelor’s in international business will help you understand the complexity of international business operations. The program combines liberal arts and general business courses with foreign language and communication studies, and a semester abroad to set you on the path to become a qualified manager with an international perspective. You’ll learn how business is conducted both in and between different nations, while studying the effects financial systems, government policies, and cultural differences have on the global economy. You’ll understand how different IT tools help people communicate, manage data, and solve problems. You’ll dip into marketing, risk management, and insurance. And you’ll gain valuable insight in how to manage complexity in an international environment.

The CUW Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program is a professional level program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

The CAATE accredited Concordia University Wisconsin Master of Science in Athletic Training program will provide students with the professional preparation necessary to succeed as an entry-level athletic trainer.  The program will provide students an educational experience encompassing communication, problem solving, clinical skills, and service.  As a result, students graduating from the program will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a successful clinician, will be prepared to pass the Board of Certification Examination, and will be eligible for appropriate state credentialing.  The Concordia University Wisconsin Master of Science in Athletic Training program will accomplish its mission through a holistic approach to the development of the mind, body, and spirit.

This program is designed specifically for students who want to engage in serious theological discussion, and who are not also pursuing an Education or Director of Church Ministries degree.

In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to study the structure of Christian belief and practice. You’ll dive into God’s Word as well as respected Lutheran doctrinal texts to properly frame your thoughts and perspectives before exploring the cultural, political, and theological implications of God’s Word on your daily life. In short, this program is for anyone with an earnest desire to better understand and grapple with God’s message of salvation so that you can communicate it with confidence and zeal for the benefit of the Kingdom.

Through the master's degree in church music, you’ll be encouraged to strengthen your theological knowledge and grow as a church musician so that you can better guide and enhance others’ worship. Our graduate program is designed to be completed exclusively in summer sessions, or in combination with evening sessions. This allows us to meet your needs outside of the traditional academic year, while still providing the beneficial personal interaction with the faculty. You’ll be able to choose from two areas of emphasis: organ and choral. And even though our courses are taught from a distinctly Lutheran perspective, all denominations are always welcome.

Through this master’s program, you’ll not only perfect your musical abilities, you’ll deepen your understanding of how music ought to relate to theology, specifically in a worship setting. With the combination of these two areas of expertise, you’ll grow in your ability to shape meaningful worship experiences for parishioners. What will your course work look like? Some courses will focus on areas like music theory, arranging, and composing. Others will prepare you for leadership roles in conducting and directing choirs or instrumental groups. Towards the end of your education, you’ll be asked to demonstrate a knowledge of liturgical music practices, musical forms, and the history of music in the church.

The parish music program consists of the standard music major with additional classes in church music. Learn from practicing church musicians and enjoy the opportunity to participate in handbell choirs, vocal choirs, orchestra, band, and organ performances. Learn to lead the congregation in song, direct choirs and instrumental groups, choose theologically sound music, and work with a pastor to structure music in worship. Because of CUW’s location, you have access to rich variety of musical events in the Milwaukee area. If you are a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, you can take additional theology classes to be placed on the church worker roster for the LCMS.

Plan on dedicating significant energy to practicing piano or organ. Regardless of your current skill level, we have experienced tutors available to help improve your technique in a one-on-one setting. General music elements of this program include composing and arranging, music history and theory, aural skills, choral and organ literature, and conducting. You’ll also focus on how music connects with the theological aspects of worship.

The Biblical Studies program lays out a good foundation for further work not only in the LCMS but for all Christian denominations. This program offers classes that all Christian students can be prepared for church work or simply because they want to know more about the Bible and the God who is revealed in it. At the same time, this is a great program for Lutheran students who want to focus on the Bible itself.

With this program, students will explain and analyze the basic tenets of the Christian faith and will apply the Christian worldview and doctrines to current situations (personal, professional, and societal) and to historical problems and situations.

Biblical Studies graduates can expect to:

• Develop an understanding of the origin of the Bible, recognize the unique qualities of God's word, appreciate the varied yet unified content of the Old and New Testaments, and use sound principles in interpreting Scripture.
• Recognize the Bible as the authoritative source for knowledge of God and humankind, articulate key doctrines of the Christian faith, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, and apply the teachings of Scripture to the life of the individual.
• Develop an appreciation for how God has worked in history, recognize key figures and movements in the life of the Church, and identify the state of theology today.
• Grow in their relationship with Christ and put His teachings into practice in their vocations.
• Observe, assess, and interpret today's cultures and world views. Students will be familiar with various methods of delivering and defending biblical truth in a relevant and practical way to diverse groups.
• Demonstrate an understanding of research skills in the discipline.