Welcome to Concordia University Chicago and thank you for your interest in applying to one of our doctoral programs.

All documents relating to admission should be submitted to Concordia University’s Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services prior to the deadline for your anticipated term of enrollment. See your degree of interest on this Web site for application and file completion deadlines.

*Doctoral and international students are not eligible for Pending Status.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the doctoral program occurs prior to initiation of course work. The number of students admitted will be limited to ensure quality of program and dissertation advising.

Applicants who are successful in their application for admission for entrance into the doctoral program will meet the following criteria:

  • Master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • A completed Doctoral Application for Admission
  • Submission of rationale statement, including personal goals for applying for admission to the program.
  • Transcripts: provide official, sealed transcripts from all institutions where degrees were earned.
  • Testing: Current Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies Test scores (test taken within the prior three years).
  • Letters of recommendation from two persons qualified to comment upon the applicant’s potential for doctoral study.
  • Past experience: At least two years of successful teaching/administrative experience (required only for doctoral programs in K-12 education).
  • Writing sample: Submit a paper that demonstrates your ability to write in a scholarly manner at a level typical of graduate work. A paper from your master’s program would be most appropriate. This sample should approach, but not exceed, five pages in length.

All documents should be submitted to:

Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services
Concordia University Chicago
7400 Augusta Street
River Forest, IL 60305

Once the admission file is completed and initially reviewed, qualified applicants will complete an extemporaneous writing sample followed by a personal interview with an admission committee.

Admission recommendations are submitted from the admission committee to the Dean of the College of Education, who will then make the final admission decision and communicate the decision to the candidate. The admission committee may establish an admission waiting list, if necessary. Students admitted should consult the Doctoral Program Handbook for additional program information.

Students who are applying for admission to the doctoral program are precluded from enrolling in any courses which met doctoral program requirements until the student has been completely admitted to the program.

The Graduate Admission Committee reserves the right to request additional information or documentation deemed helpful in evaluating applicants for admission.

Depending on program of study, students may be required to take additional tests such as the Graduate Record Exam, Miller Analogies Test and/or the Illinois Basic Skills Test. A writing sample, essay, FBI fingerprint criminal background check, valid teaching certificate and/or interview may also be required to determine what may be necessary for a student to qualify for a graduate program.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are required to meet all admission standards listed for the program they wish to enter. In addition, the following are required to be considered for admission:

  • TOEFL: A score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 72 (internet) minimum requirement on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or successful completion of Level 112 at an English Language School (ELS) unless English is the native language, and an unqualified recommendation from an ELS program director is provided.  (International students who have earned an advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States do not need to submit TOEFL scores.)
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from each college/university attended showing all college/university course work with certified English translations of all transcripts originally prepared in any other language. Also, any international transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia-approved international credentialing service such as WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), or AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers).
  • Financial Support: A certified document guaranteeing adequate financial support for at least the student's first year of study and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, adequate funding from the same or an equally dependable source, for subsequent years.
  • Medical: A physical exam, adequate medical insurance, and proof of immunization are required prior to enrollment.
  • Regular Admission Requirements: International students must qualify for regular admission to a degree program in order to enroll.

All documents must be received by the Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services at least three months prior to the expected date of entry. I-20 forms may be issued only after University acceptance is granted and will remain in effect only for students who continue to make satisfactory progress as full-time students in an accepted university program. The program length may vary for each student.