Program options

Program options

There are several different paths a student may take to obtain the DCE certification with the bachelor of arts option being the most popular.

DCE with a Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary, Middle Level or Secondary

This program is for individuals who would like to have the option of teaching in the classroom or feel that this focus within their program would enhance their abilities as a parish DCE.

DCE with Bachelor of Arts Degree

This program is designed for those who wish to serve as a parish DCE and who would like some course electivity to enhance their strength in certain DCE competency areas. In this program students can choose from the following majors: behavioral science, human psychology, music or theology. The student also chooses an emphasis from one of the following: child, youth, adult, family, outreach, parish music or pre-seminary.

DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM

Concordia prepares Christian educators who equip people of all ages in congregations for their ministries in various contexts. The focus in preparation is on the DCE as instructional leader, educator, consultant, administrator, care action minister, and researcher.

Note: See the DCE program director for the most recent updates and changes to the program.

DCE PROGRAM CURRICULUM OPTIONS

The following three curriculum options have been developed by the faculty of Concordia. Each program includes at least five years of course work, one of which involves a year-long internship: 

DCE with B.S. in ELEMENTARY EDUCATION DEGREE (158 hours)

1. General Education (48 hours)

2. DCE Sequence (54 hours)

  • Educ 229 Introduction to DCE Ministries (2)
  • Educ 329 DCE Ministries II; The Emerging DCE (2)
  • Educ 484 Confirmation Planning and Implementation (2)
  • Educ 485 Parish Education Program Administration (3)   
  • Educ 388 Youth Ministry Theory & Methods (3)
  • Educ 480 Practicum in DCE Ministries (3)
  • Educ 481 Director of Christian Education Internship (24)
  • Educ 483 Leadership Development: Enabling Others to Lead & Teach  (3)
  • Psy 341 Group Techniques (3)
  • Psy 442 Introduction to Counseling (3) 
  • Theo 450 Understanding and Teaching the Bible (3)
  • Theo 487 Planning Adult Education in the Parish (3)

3. Professional Education Core/LTD (22 hours)

4. Elementary Education Endorsement (34 hours) 

DCE with B.S. in MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION DEGREE (195 hours)

1. General Education (48 hours)

2. DCE Sequence (54 hours)

3. Two Content Teaching Areas (18 hours each*) 

4. Professional Education Core/LTD (22 hours)

5. Middle Level Endorsement (35 hours)

   * Some general education courses may meet Content Teaching Area requirements

DCE with B.S. in SECONDARY EDUCATION DEGREE (170–214 hours)

1. General Education (48 hours)

2. DCE Sequence (54 hours)

3. Two Subject Endorsements (27–61 hours each)

    or One Field Endorsement (51–69 hours)

    or Comp. Subject Major (48–58 hours)

4. Professional Education Core/LTD (22 hours) 

5. Secondary Education Endorsement (19–21 hours) 

DCE with B.A. DEGREE (164–191 hours)

1. General Education  (48 hours)

2. DCE Sequence (54 hours)

3. Coursework

      Major: Behavioral Science, Psychology, or Theology (30–39 hours)

      Educational Ministry Courses (16 hours)  

4. DCE EMPHASIS (16-34 hours)
    DCE/BA students must choose one of the following:

Parish Music Emphasis (not to be combined with music major) (20 hours)

Outreach Emphasis (16 hours) 

  • *CTA 211 Public Speaking (3)
  • *Soc 335 Sociology of Religion (3)
  • Theo 375 Christian Denominations, Movements & Contemporary Cults or 
  • *Theo 390 World Religions: The Gospel in a Pluralistic World (3)
  • Theo 385 Parish Visitation and Evangelism (3)
  • Theo 399 Independent Study in Evangelism Visitation (1)
  • Theo 460 Factors in Congregational Growth (3)

Family Life Emphasis (18 hours) 

  • Psy 211 Child Development and Psychology (2)
  • Psy 212 Child Development and Psychology: Young Children  or
  • Psy 422 Psychology and Development of the Young Adolescent (1)
  • *Psy 421 Psychology of Adolescence (3)
  • *Soc 331 The Family (3)
  • Theo 482 Nurturing Faith (3) 
  • Theo 483 Sexuality and the Family (3)
  • Theo 485 Family Life Ministry (3)

Youth Emphasis (16 hours)  

  • Educ 300 Outdoor Christian Education (2)
  • Educ 379 Methods in Secondary Religion (2) 
  • Psy 211 Child Development and Psychology (2)
  • Psy 422 Psychology and Development of the Young Adolescent (1) 
  • *Psy 421 Psychology of Adolescence (3)
  • *Soc 331 The Family (3)
  • Theo 485 Family Life Ministry (3) 

Pre-Seminary Emphasis** (34 hours) 

Child Emphasis (17 hours)

  • Educ 300 Outdoor Christian Education (2)
  • Educ 330 Early Childhood Education Foundations and Programs (3)
  • Educ 332 Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Methodology (3)
  • Educ 430 School Community & Parent Involvement (2)
  • Educ 452 Early Childhood Program Organization and Management (3)
  • Psy 211 Child Development and Psychology (2)
  • *Psy 212 Child Development and Psychology: Young Children (1)
  • Psy 422 Psychology and Development of the Young Adolescent (1)

Adult Emphasis (18 hours)

Self-Designed Emphasis (16 hours)

A student may choose to design an individualized emphasis. The emphasis must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 16 hours of upper-level coursework (300 or 400-level)
  • The emphasis must be directly applicable to the DCE program’s roles and sub-roles
  • The student must submit a written rationale for the emphasis, stating how it fits traditional DCE ministry roles and including a list of the proposed coursework.
  • The emphasis must be approved in writing by the DCE Program Director, the student’s advisor, and the chair of the academic department housing the majority of the emphasis courses.
  • A minimum of 50% of emphasis hours must be taken at CUNE
  • No more than three semester hours can be applied to the emphasis prior to the formal approval of the emphasis
  • A copy of the approved plan of study must be filed with the Registrar’s Office

Worship Arts Emphasis (12 hours)

  • Educ 358 Religious Education and Innovative Technology (2)
  • ChMu 313 Christian Hymnody (2)
  • Theo 382 Corporate Worship (3)
  • WA 173 Live Sound (2)
  • WA 174 Songwriting for Contemporary Worship (2)
  • WA ___ Seminar in Worship Arts (1)

*Denotes courses with prerequisites  

**If the student plans to attend seminary, internship is waived. The student receives a B.A. without DCE certification. See below for additional information.

Note: All undergraduate students identified as DCEs must complete a minimum of six hours of upper-level theology (300 or 400-level) courses on Concordia’s campus.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP MAJOR 

All students pursuing a Christian Educational Leadership major must also complete a second major.  This additional major must focus on a discipline that is foundational to the role of a leader in congregationally-based Christian educational ministry.  Options include: Theology, Psychology, Behavioral Science or Teacher Education.

Christian Educational Leadership (48-72 hours) 

Students who are taking the Christian Educational Leadership major are not required to complete a minor, but may choose to complete one or more of the following emphases:

Child, Youth, Adult, Family, Parish Music, Worship Arts, Outreach, Biblical Languages, Self-designed emphasis

See also: Please check the course catalog for other information about programs in which you are interested.