The DCE Program prepares men and women to serve in The Lutheran Church, primarily in congregational settings. Initiated in the mid-1960s, Concordia has a long history of providing The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod with parish educators who work with children, youth and adults.
In the undergraduate Director of Christian Education program, the student has two possible options. The program can be tied into teacher certification at the elementary level or it can be a DCE certification only program without state certification as a teacher.
Students desiring entry into a public ministry in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all prescribed Theology requirements. Students desiring DCE certification from Concordia must also have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in their DCE core courses. All courses used in the GPA calculations must have a grade of C or better and cannot be taken under the P/DF grade option.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Option I: DCE Certification with Illinois Teacher Certification (167-186 hours)
This program prepares the student for DCE certification by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and for Illinois State Teaching Certification. Under Option I involving teacher certification, the requirements for admission are:
• Complete the general requirements for admission to the College of Education.
• Submit the application form to the College of Education.
• Submit an application for admission to the DCE program following the successful completion of DCE-2991 DCE Practicum I.
• Complete the interview process as designed by the DCE Program Director.
Elementary Education General Education Core (37 hours)
(Can be found in the Elementary Education Teacher Certification Program)
Mission Specific (9-12 hours)
IDS-1970 Freedom and Responsibility (transfer students exempt)
IDS-4970 Values and Virtues
THY-2010 Introduction to the Old Testament
THY-3105 Introduction to the New Testament
Program Support (2-22 hours)
HIS-1500 History of the American People
HUM-1970 Arts and Ideas
NSCI-1110 Concepts in Chemistry and Biology
NSCI-1120 Concepts in Physics and Earth Science
PES-1000 Fitness and Wellness
SBS-1970 Diversity in American Society
One non-Western course
Education Major (28 hours)
EDU-2020 Principles & Technology in Education
EDU-3000 Multicultural Education
EDU-4100 Foundations and Ethics of American Education
EDU-4400 Literature for Children and Adolescents
EDU-4410 Psychology and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner
EDU-4900A Literacy I
MAT-1411 Math Concepts I
PSY-2400 Educational Psychology
PSY-4105 Developmental Psychology: Middle Childhood
NSCI-1130 Problem Solving and Application
First Aid/CPR Certification available through the American Red Cross
Professional Courses (24 hours)
Elementary Methods Block I
EDU-4900B Literacy II
MAE-4901 Teaching Mathematics
ART-4901 Teaching of Art
Elementary Methods Block II
EDU-4902A Teaching Music
EDU-4902B Teaching Physical Education
EDU-4902C Teaching Science
EDU-4902D Teaching Social Science
Professional Semester
EDU-4920 Student Teaching – Elementary
EDU-4922 Classroom Management: Elementary
PSY-4920 Assessment: Elementary Education
Additional Theology (13 hours)
THY-2210 Intro to Lutheran Theology
THY-3210 Christian Life
THY-4410 World Religions
One historical THY course 3300 or higher.
DCE Core (32 hours)
DCE-2991 DCE Practicum I
DCE-2992 DCE Practicum II
DCE-4320 Administration of Parish Education
DCE-4330 Youth Ministry Theory and Practice
DCE-4340 Church Leadership Development
DCE-4350 Parish Teaching I
DCE-4351 Parish Teaching II
DCE-4450 Ministry to the Family
DCE-4940 Director of Christian Education Seminar I
DCE-4941 Director of Christian Education Seminar II
PSY-4201 Counseling Skills
THY-4400 Worship and Witness
DCE Internship (24 hours)
DCE 4990 Internship
This program prepares the student for DCE certification by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Liberal Arts General Studies (37-38 hours)
Can be found in the College of Arts and Sciences General Education Core
Mission Specific (9-12 hours)
IDS-1970 Freedom and Responsibility (transfer students exempt)
IDS-4970 Values and Virtues
THY-2010 Introduction to the Old Testament
THY-3105 Introduction to the New Testament
Program Support (2 hours)
PES-1000 Fitness and Wellness
DCE Major (32 hours)
DCE-2991 DCE Practicum I
DCE-2992 DCE Practicum II
DCE-4320 Administration of Parish Education
DCE-4330 Youth Ministry Theory and Practice
DCE-4340 Church Leadership Development
DCE-4350 Parish Teaching I
DCE-4351 Parish Teaching II
DCE-4450 Ministry to the Family
DCE-4940 Director of Christian Education Seminar I
DCE-4941 Director of Christian Education Seminar II
PSY-4201 Counseling Skills
THY-4400 Worship & Witness
Christian Education Support Courses (12 hours)
DCE-2300 Parish Education in Perspective
EDU-2400 Educational Psychology
EDU-3000 Multicultural Education
PSY-4410 Psychology and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner
Theology Minor (18 hours)
THY-2210 Introduction to Lutheran Theology
THY-3210 Christian Life
THY-4410 World Religions
Choose one Biblical Studies course (3000 level or higher)
Choose one historical theology course (3000 level or higher)
Choose one course with a THY prefix (3000 level or higher)
DCE Specialization (15-17 semester hours)
Choose one of the five specializations listed below.
Youth Ministry (15-17 hours)
Required (6 hours)
DCE-4330 Youth Ministry Theory and Practice
PSY-4110 Developmental Psychology
Select 9-11 remaining hours from the following:
ART-4420 Liturgical Arts Studio
CTH-4230 Organizational and Team Communication
PES-3300 Recreational Leadership
PSY-4210 Group Dynamics and Leadership Skills
PSY-4505 Human Sexuality
SOC-4320 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC-4420 Marriage and the Family
SOW-4310 Loss and Mourning
If choosing a Spiritual Nurture course, only one may be applied to specialization.
THY-4500 Spiritual Nurture of the Young Child
THY-4505 Spiritual Nurture of the Elementary Age Child
THY-4510 Spiritual Nurture of the Adolescent
THY-4530 Educational Ministry of the Church
THY-4540 Theories of Religious Instruction
Required (6 hours)
DCE-4450 Ministry to the Family
SOC-4420 Marriage and the Family
Select 9-11 remaining hours from the following:
COM-4220 Interpersonal Communication
COM-4230 Organizational and Team Communication
PSY-4110 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence
PSY-4505 Human Sexuality
SOC-4320 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC-4410 Child, Family, and Community
SOW-4310 Loss and Mourning
If choosing a Spiritual Nurture course, only one may be applied to specialization.
THY-4500 Spiritual Nurture of the Young Child
THY-4510 Spiritual Nurture of the Adolescent
Music (17 hours)
Required - 13 hours
MUS-2113 Music Theory I
MUS-2111 Aural Skills I
MUS-4452 The Children’s Choir
MUS-4313 Music for the Contemporary Church
MUS-1661 Class Voice
MUS-1371 The Church Musician
MUS-1641 Keyboard Skills I
MUS-1651 Keyboard Skills II
Applied Music - 2 hours
Piano, Organ, Voice or Guitar - 2 hours
Ensemble - 2 hours (4 semesters)
MUSE-3930 Schola Cantorum
MUSE-3900 Kapelle
Evangelism (15 hours)
Required (6 hours)
THY-4700 Personal Evangelism and Witness
Corporate Evangelism
Select nine remaining hours from the following:
Urban Evangelism and Outreach
Multicultural Evangelism and Outreach
THY-4410 World Religions
Student Designed Specialization (17 hours)
This specialization must have a cohesive focus pertaining to DCE ministry and must receive the approval of the DCE Director.
DCE Internship (24 hours)
DCE-4990 Internship
Option III: Post-Baccalaureate Director of Christian Education Certification
The Concordia University Chicago Director of Christian Education (DCE) Certification Program is a means by which an individual with a bachelor’s degree from a Synodical institution may become certified as a DCE with The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. This certification would enable an individual to be eligible to receive a call as a DCE and to be placed on the roster of the Synod as a Commissioned Minister-Director of Christian Education.
Program Admission Requirements:
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree at a Synodical University or college.
• Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better.
Contact the College of Education for materials required for admission. Upon successful admission to the program, the student will be given a detailed course of study. This course of study shall be approved by the advisor and the Dean of Education; a copy will be filed in the College of Education Office and the Registrar’s Office. Following this approval, no change can be made in the program without approval from both the advisor and the Dean.
While the course of study is rigorously adhered to, the means by which a student fulfills the requirements is flexible. Up to one-fourth of the course requirements, excluding the internship, may be submitted for a transfer of credit into the program and/or may be completed by some combination of credit for prior learning and correspondence courses.