Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

at Global University Systems (GUS) - Concordia University Chicago USA

The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education has achieved National Recognition by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), thereby meeting standards as one of the top graduate degree programs in the country. The MA in ECE program prepares candidates for a variety of leadership roles in early childhood education and is relevant for early childhood teachers, administrators, public policy and advocacy specialists, and scholars. This program is designed to provide candidates with a strong background in child and language development, family and community relationships, assessment, research, theory and practice, of birth through age eight programs within a variety of educational settings: public and private centers and schools, adult and community-based educational settings, and other for- and non-profit organizations.

The MA in ECE program does not lead to licensure, but is intended for early childhood educators who have had at least two years of experience with young children. Upon completion of the program, candidates who have an Illinois Educator’s teaching license may choose to study further and take additional coursework to obtain endorsements in Special Education and/or English as a Second Language (ESL). After receiving their degrees, our graduates will be ideal educators in the design and implementation of early childhood curriculum and programs in centers, home child care, schools and districts, and other settings, and contribute their leadership to various early childhood organizations.

Concordia’s Studio Art major ensures you understand visual arts from a studio perspective, as well as the promotional skills to thrive as a studio artist.

Our University offers small class sizes where art faculty members know you by name and continually support you throughout your college career. They accept your current level of art experience and are committed to advancing your ability. Art faculty members are experienced artists and art educators who have a vested interest in providing a quality art program.

The Art Department consists of large, well-equipped studios, a dark room for photography, a computer lab, a lecture hall and an outdoor kiln area for raku firing of ceramics.

The program helps students develop awareness of how communication practices impact individuals and society

We emphasize ethics and our classes seek to have students identify how their work impacts the world around them.

In addition to preparing students for an array of jobs, the Department of Communication prepares students for continuing graduate education. Across the majors students acquire strong research, writing, and analytical skills.

Based near downtown Chicago, our program places students in dynamic internships which provide them with learning experiences integral to future job placement.

When taking courses from our Communication Major, students will take a core set of courses and then choose an area of specialization relevant to their career paths.

The three specializations in the department are:

• Human Communication and Culture
• Media
• Strategic Communication

Additionally we have a Journalism major.
As a student at Concordia-Chicago, you will never sit in a lecture hall with hundreds of students. Our classes are taught by experienced professionals who are willing to assist you throughout your education process. Your professors will know you on an individual basis and will be available to address any concerns you may have. The Communication faculty is dedicated to preparing you for your role in communication.

Faculty in the Department of Human Performance are knowledgeable and experienced in their respective areas of expertise. More importantly, they look to serve and impact the lives of others.

As a Concordia-Chicago student, you will learn about the multi-dimensional aspect of fitness and wellness, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, exercise, evaluation and exercise testing and prescription.

These basics are further expanded upon as you progress through the course of your studies preparing you to enter the professional world. At CUC, our classes are small and encourage hands-on learning. You will work closely with the faculty, who will help you throughout your entire college career. Faculty will be able and willing to work with you individually to discuss assignments and career decisions, while ensuring you receive a quality experience at CUC.

The Concordia-Chicago MBA program is designed to assist you with business knowledge for your entire career. You can customize the speed and program that you need for your career goals.

The MBA program is established in a turn-key, cohort format. The specialization courses are set up in an open enrollment. You are able to enroll in the specialization courses at any time during your MBA program or after you have completed all of your courses.

Four Pillars of Knowledge
All of our courses integrate our Four Pillars of Knowledge into the curriculum. By cultivating these essential principles in an academic setting, the Concordia-Chicago MBA gives you a competitive edge as you move forward in your career.

• Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Critical Thinking and Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Communication and Human Relations
• Global Interconnectedness and Inclusiveness

Individuals with knowledge in finance will have the opportunity to differentiate themselves from peers and build life-long skills while positively impacting the world. All major management positions, regardless of discipline, require a knowledge of finance in order to produce the desired results. A CUC MBA plus a specialization in finance will prepare you to differentiate yourself from your peers and build life-long skills while impacting the world in a socially responsible manner.

Concordia University Chicago's MBA specialization in finance provides you with a solid foundation in financial management and an understanding of public and private financial processes, financial markets, analysis and investments in a world where finance is an international language. The four courses within this specialization are designed to help you understand the fundamentals of money and banking, financial statement analysis, corporate finance, and international finance. Graduates will navigate through financial situations and problem solve with a global perspective.

Specialization Outcomes

• Analyze and evaluate the financial condition of a business, organization, or government enterprise and recommend an appropriate financial management course of action.
• Evaluate how the capital structure of a company impacts raising capital for various business and organizational structures.
• Demonstrate the ability to appraise and assess financial decisions of a business or organization to develop a visionary culture embracing inclusivity and diversity in all its forms.
• Apply and evaluate the objectives of corporate financial management including analysis of foreign exchange rates and the impact of various government influences in respect to  financial strategies.

The bachelor of arts degree in music is a broad-based liberal arts degree. Students who study music also gain exposure to various disciplines in the arts and sciences.

You will also emphasize in other areas from the humanities or take a minor area or another major. For example, some students will take courses in business or administration.

Concordia-Chicago offers two specialized certificates that can be part of your music major: a certificate in parish music (DPM) and a certificate of piano pedagogy. Review the links to learn more about specific requirements for these certificates.

Nearly all core subjects are taught and ensembles conducted by regular full-time faculty. Our music faculty is recognized and highly respected in their fields of expertise. Many of our applied faculty members perform regularly in organizations such as Chicago Symphony Chorus, Lyric Opera Chorus, Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic, Elmhurst Symphony, and Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. Our faculty takes a personal interest in your education and musicianship.

Both the music major and the music minor include academic courses, applied study and ensemble participation. Academic courses encompass the core areas of music theory and aural skills, music history and literature and conducting. All music majors study a primary instrument or voice, and many study a second instrument as well.

Across all industries, there is a need for proficient managers and leaders. The focus of this major is to graduate students who are confident leaders and managers. Students will sharpen their critical and creative thinking skills and build their business acumen. These abilities and skills are integral to sustaining business success. Students will learn from industry experts and study topics such as ethical decision-making, strategic thinking, leadership and management, marketing, accounting, human resources, operations management, and finance.

Graduates of the BA in Business Administration with a major in management find positions as production supervisors, account executives, human resources administrators, and more.

Faculty and staff are dedicated to providing students with a well-rounded learning experience by using the latest technology and engaging them with real-world business scenarios and hands-on learning exercises. Many courses are offered online, although the traditional 16-week face-to-face format is available.

Our program provides you with a solid foundation in which you will build your critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills, and apply these skills to psychology. You will develop an understanding of the different types of psychology and theories behind them.

Today, psychologists are increasingly concentrating on behaviors that affect the mental and emotional health and mental processes of healthy human beings. For example, they work with business executives, performers and athletes to combat stress and improve performance. They advise lawyers on jury selection and collaborate with educators on school reform. They show up immediately following a disaster such as a plane crash or bombing, to help victims and bystanders recover from the trauma or shock of the event.

The required courses in the major will provide you with a strong foundation in psychology. Courses such as development, statistics and research will acquaint you with the field, while preparing you for courses like social psychology, abnormal psychology and neuropsychology.

The electives in the psychology department will help you refine your interests and skills. Students wishing to pursue a career in the helping professions can take courses such as Group Dynamics and Leadership Skills, Community Psychology, and Behavior Assessment and Management. Students who wish to prepare for continued scholarly work in the psychological sciences will be encouraged to take classes like Cognitive Psychology, History and Systems and Cross-Cultural Psychology.

You will also choose a capstone experience from either an internship in psychology or senior seminar in psychology. Through the seminar you will discuss current topics in psychology, career planning and the role of psychology in today’s society.

Concordia University Chicago's MBA specialization in leadership and change management will build the business fundamentals you need to advance your career while focusing on leading people and organizations. The courses are designed to help students understand the value of an array of leadership theories, the intercultural impact of leadership practice, and the intricacies of facilitating strategic change. Students develop servant leadership, interpersonal, and influencing skills to effectively shape group change. Graduates will successfully champion systemic change while achieving their organization’s mission.

Specialization Outcomes

• Correlate and critique global mentoring, training, and coaching practices to specific organizational leadership challenges and the impact on the business and stakeholders.
• Examine and evaluate transformational leadership strategies and techniques to promote capacity, sustainability, and renewal at all levels of the organization.
• Explore and evaluate how leadership styles impact global face-to-face and virtual organizations through effective use of communication and technology to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Analyze and synthesize descriptions and conditions for diagnosing organizational change culture, agenda, processes, and practices providing management the guidance to execute and lead organizational change.
• Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology to make and evaluate data driven decisions.