Common questions about the Degree Completion Program
What do I need to start the program?Generally, we like to see people with some previous college credit that can be applied to the general education requirements and electives required for the degree.
What if I don’t have quite as many credits as I need?
Many people are missing some credits in one area or another. There are a number of ways to complete these general education courses:
You may take additional courses at Concordia University or another school.
You may choose to write a paper based on your prior learning experience. This must then be evaluated by a qualified member of the faculty to determine if credit can be awarded.
You may have some credits available to you through professional or technical training that you’ve done at work.
There are several options available! We will work with you to determine what is the best option for you. All generals should be completed within one year of completion of the 16 modules. If you need longer, you may request an extension from the program director.
How do I evaluate my transcripts?
When we have copies of your official transcripts, our office will do an evaluation of the transcripts and give you an estimate of the number of credit hours that will transfer and what they apply to. We will discuss the evaluation with you so you will have a clear picture of where you stand before beginning the program.
What do I gain from enrolling in the DCP?
Once you complete the designated courses within your major you will have of 48.0 credit hours (Business Administration) or 36.0 credit hours (Gerontology) toward your major.
How is this different from traditional programs?
One of the biggest differences is in the method of delivery. These courses for the major are accelerated with each module lasting from 5-6 weeks. Next, adults typically learn more from discussion and interaction with information than from lecture or memory-based testing. Also, adults generally have some valuable work experiences that can serve as a base for further learning. This will allow you to immediately put to use what you learn in your current position.
Am I a full-time student?
Yes, you are considered a full-time student. You only take one class at a time, but are registered for at least 12 hours per semester, which qualifies you as a full-time student.
How long do other students spend working on courses outside of class?
A great deal depends on your background and experience in a specific area, and your dedication to the class. On average, students spend 10 – 20 hours per week outside of class to complete class work and research, although this varies with each student.
How is Concordia accredited?
Concordia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting agency for colleges and universities in the Midwest, and is a member of the North Central Association.
How do online classes work?
The Internet is a fantastic education tool. Once you are registered for an online course you will receive information on how to access the course. Each faculty member designs his or her course in order to best present the required material. Courses consist of discussion boards, virtual chats, and postings of course materials, assignments and instructor comments.
Do I have to be online at a certain time?
For the most part, you are not required to be online at a specific time. However, some instructors offer required and optional virtual chats at convenient times for students.
How big are classes?Whether traditional on-site classes or online, Concordia strives for smaller class sizes to ensure individual instruction for all students. Each class in the Degree Completion Program is limited to a maximum of 22 students. At the same time, the program needs to remain self-supporting, so no group will begin with fewer than 12 students. If there are not sufficient students at the time a group is scheduled to begin, the university will either postpone or cancel that group. In the event of cancellation because of insufficient enrollment, all monies will be refunded to the students.
What computer requirements are there for online courses?
You will be required to have Internet and should be running the latest version (or close to the latest version) of the browser in order for the web-based program to work correctly.
At the time a student is admitted to the Degree Completion Program, a CUNE.org email account will be assigned. The student will be required to activate this account and use it for all correspondence related to the program.
If sending attachments to professors, DO NOT send assignments as Word Perfect attachments. Professors do, however, have access to Word in which attachments can be sent.
How do I order books and materials?
Books and materials are available through the bookstore at Concordia. If you have quesitons, please contact the bookstore at 402-643-7400 at cunebookstore@cune.org.
What do I need to graduate?
To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree you need to:
To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree you need to complete a total
of 128 hours including:
- 48 or 36 semester hours of core classes depending upon your major in the Degree Completion Program
- 9 semester hours of religion classes in the Degree Completion Program
- 71 or 83 semester hours accepted by Concordia University. These include general education and elective requirements. Your official transcripts from other colleges will be reviewed by the DCP Program Director to confirm if these are fulfilled. Concordia can accept up to 70.0 hours from an accredited 2 year community college.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above on a 4.00 scale.
What are the semester hour requirements?
Humanities- History - 115, 131 or 132
- Composition - Eng 102
- Literature - Eng 201 or higher level course with permission
- Fine Arts: 6.0 credits total from among Art 101, 161, 203, 260; CTA 151, 152, 154; any Music course (Must include two areas)
- Biblical Literacy: Rel 120 and Rel 130
- Theology: Theo 209
- Global/Multi-Cultural Studies: Geog 202*, PS 211 or Soc 201
- 6.0 credits total from Econ 101, 102; Geog 101, 202*; Psy 101; PS 111; Soc 101 (Must include two areas)
- Student must complete 2.0 hours. At least one hour from the following: HHP 100 (recommended), 161, 162, 164, 166, 168. One additional course from the following: any Activity course (Swimming can be used only once), any Health Topics course, HHP 182.
Students must complete 6.0 total credits and must complete at least one course each in biology, chemistry and physics between high school and college. The following courses are recommended for students who are not in science programs:
- Bio 110, 122, 207, 217, 222, Bio/Sci 230, Bio/Sci 231(taken with Bio/Sci 230), 243, 288, 362, 363, 385, 444
- Chem 109, 115
- Phys 109, 110
- Sci 202, 281, 315, Sci/Phys 331, 365, 381
- Bio 111, 112, 122, 141, 208, 317, 343, 344, 345, 371
- Chem 116, 231
- Phys 111, 112, 211, 212
Supplemental Requirements
In addition to completing the appropriate number of courses from each of the areas listed above, students must complete the following in order to receive a baccalaureate degree:
- At least one Global/Multicultural Studies (GMC) course (in addition to the course that fulfilled the Global/Multicultural Studies portion of the Humanities requirement above)
- At least one Service-Learning (SL) course
- At least one Writing-Intensive (WI) course
- GMC: CTA 333 (Gernant), Geog 202, GMC 380, GMC 390, HHP 280 (2 credit), Hist 421, PS 211, Soc 201, Span 101, Span 102, Span 201, Span 202
- SL: HHP 280 (3 credit), HHP 484, Soc 221 (Miller), Soc 331 (Miller), SL 370, SL 380, SL 390
- WI: Bus 261 (Plander), CTA 225 (Ohlman), CTA 301 (Ohlman), CTA 400 (Gernant), Educ 461, Educ 470, Eng 221 (Ohlman), Eng 326 (Hargon-Smith), Eng 327 (Zum Hofe), Eng 328, HHP 389, HHP 399, Math 252 (Snow), Mu 211 (Herl), Psy/Soc 306
Each major offered at Concordia will provide the following learning experiences in ways that are appropriate to the program:
- Information Literacy
- Oral Communication competency
- Capstone Experience
- Students who complete an Associate of Arts Degree at another institution shall be considered to have completed all but the Biblical Literacy and Theology requirements in the General Education curriculum.
- Students who complete an Associate of Arts Degree at another institution shall be considered to have completed all but the Biblical Literacy and Theology requirements in the General Education curriculum.
What type of faculty will I be learning from?
Our regular full-time professors teach many of our courses. More than 85 percent of all full-time faculty at Concordia hold the highest degree offered in their fields. Adjunct faculty serve as visiting professors. They offer an inside view from their professional experiences in the workforce.
Experienced professors are fully committed to helping you excel in your career and to achieve personal success. They will appreciate your ideas and opinions within the classroom discussion. They strive to personally relate to all of their students. They will go the extra mile to assist you with any questions you may have.
