Studia Vitae: Continuing Education at Concordia University, Nebraska 

Registration for March courses opens soon!

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are short, non-credit courses designed for Christians who want meaningful growth without the commitment of a full graduate class. Gain practical insights and spiritual encouragement in a format that fits your life. 

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6 sessions
$150
100% online

Studia Vitae: Christ-Centered Continuing Education for Lifelong Learning 

  • Short, focused sessions of an hour or less 
  • Take courses immediately or on your own timing 
  • Lighter workload than a credit-bearing course 
  • Practical, immediately applicable content 

March 2026 Offerings

Leadership Formation & Classical Christian Thought

Biblical Wisdom, Decision-Making, Phronesis and Leadership

Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to apply biblical wisdom and classical discernment to faithful decision-making. 

Sport as Faith Formation

Sport as Faith Formation

Designed for coaches, athletic directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course shows participants how sport can be used to shape character and nurture faith.  

Foundations of Lutheran Education

Foundations of Biblical Theology

Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course explores what Lutherans believe, teach and confess and the implications for faith, life and learning.  

Teaching and Learning in the Christian School

Student Engagement to Support Positive Behaviors in the Classroom  

Join a 6-week bootcamp focused on creating a classroom culture and climate that is positive, engaging and meaningful for teachers and students alike. 

January 2026 Offerings

Leadership Formation & Classical Christian Thought

Biblical Foundations of Classical Christian Leadership

Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, Biblical Foundations of Classical Christian Leadership equips participants with timeless leadership principles grounded in Scripture and classical wisdom. 

 

Children’s Literature and Christian Faith Formation

Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment: Grades 3-8

Designed for teachers, administrators, parents and librarians but open to anyone, Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment shows participants how to evaluate books through the lens of faith and select stories that engage young minds, reflect Christian values and inspire lifelong faith formation.

 

 

Fundraising and Philanthropy for Christian Organizations

Biblical Foundations of Fundraising and Philanthropy

Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to root fundraising in biblical stewardship and generosity. 

 

Additional Sample Course Offerings

Leadership Formation & Classical Christian Thought

Biblical Foundations of Classical Christian Leadership

Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, Biblical Foundations of Classical Christian Leadership equips participants with timeless leadership principles grounded in Scripture and classical wisdom. (January 2026) 

Biblical Wisdom, Decision-Making, Phronesis and Leadership 

Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to apply biblical wisdom and classical discernment to faithful decision-making. (March 2026) 

Mimesis: Inspiration and Lessons from Great Leaders of the Past

Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course helps participants discover how the lives of great leaders can inspire faithful leadership today.  

Oikonomia and Leadership 

Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course guides participants through the exploration of biblical stewardship and organizational management for leaders. 

Schole & Lifelong Paideia for Leaders 

Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course equips participants to cultivate habits of reflection and lifelong learning for sustainable leadership. 

Foundations of Lutheran Education

Foundations of Biblical Theology 

Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course explores what Lutherans believe, teach and confess and the implications for faith, life and learning. (March 2026) 

Applications of Biblical Theology in the Lutheran School 

Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course allows participants to discover how biblical theology shapes and informs what we do and why we do it in Lutheran schools.

The Mission and Legacy of Faithful and Flourishing Lutheran Education 

Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course guides participants to an understanding of the history, legacy and mission of Lutheran schools—and what it takes to be a faithful and flourishing school.  

Vocation of the Lutheran School Teacher  

Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course explores the distinct calling and role of teachers in Lutheran schools.  

Sport and Faith Formation

Sport as Faith Formation 

Designed for coaches, athletic directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course shows participants how sport can be used to shape character and nurture faith. (March 2026) 

Biblical Foundations of Coaching and Mentoring  

Designed for coaches, athletics directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course allows participants to learn how Scripture guides mentoring of athletes and youth.

Theology of the Body 

Designed for coaches, athletics directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course explores biblical teaching on the body in relation to sport, health and fitness. 

Applied AI

AI Foundations and Everyday Tools 

Demystify AI, explore its benefits, downsides, strengths, weaknesses, understanding different language models, prompt engineering and practical usage cases.  

Biblical Wisdom and AI 

Designed for Christian church and school leaders and nonprofit leaders but open to anyone, this course explores a biblical foundation for using and making decisions about how to use AI 

Approaching AI with a Vocational Framework 

Designed for Christian church and school leaders and nonprofit leaders but open to anyone, this course offers a simple model for understanding what AI is, how it can be used effectively and what pitfalls to avoid. Then, a vocational framework is applied to guide Christians' approaches to using AI as they create, relate and lead in their everyday lives.  

Fundraising and Philanthropy for Christian Organizations

Biblical Foundations of Fundraising and Philanthropy 

Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to root fundraising in biblical stewardship and generosity. (January 2026) 

Building Donor Relationships and Partnerships 

Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course helps participants develop strong donor relationships that advance mission. 

Comprehensive Fundraising Campaigns 

Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course equips participants to plan and lead major fundraising campaigns with confidence. 

Strategies for Annual Funds and Unrestricted Giving 

Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course guides participants in building sustainable annual giving programs for an organization. 

Foundations of Endowments and Planned Giving  

Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course guides participants in establishing endowments and legacy gifts for long-term mission impact. 

Children’s Literature and Christian Faith Formation

Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment: Grades 3-8 

Designed for teachers, administrators, parents and librarians but open to anyone, Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment shows participants how to evaluate books through the lens of faith and select stories that engage young minds, reflect Christian values and inspire lifelong faith formation. (January 2026) 

Why Stories Matter: Teaching Children’s Literature in the Christian Classroom 

Designed for K-8 teachers, homeschooling parents, principals and Christian librarians but open to anyone, this course demonstrates how stories shape faith and worldview in children. 

Forming the Christian Imagination 

Designed for K-8 teachers, homeschooling parents, principals and Christian librarians but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to use stories to cultivate wonder and nurture faith. 

Liturgical Visual Art

Theology of Beauty and the Visual Arts for Congregations 

Designed for parish church workers, elders, worship committees and Christian artists but open to anyone, this course explores how beauty and sacred art enrich worship.  

Ludology

Foundations of Ludology: From Plato to Puzzlecraft

Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course explores the history and philosophy of play as a tool for learning and formation.

Faith Formation & Play 

Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course allows participants to discover how play cultivates discipleship and community. 

Foundations in Adventure-Based Learning 

Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to use adventure and challenge to promote growth and faith formation.  

The Art of the Riddle: History, Philosophy, Theory and Design  

Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, participants in this course will study riddles as playful tools for wisdom and learning. 

Puzzlecraft Studio

Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course equips participants to design scavenger hunts, treasure hunts and clue chains for education and community. 

Teaching and Learning in the Christian School

Student Engagement to Support Positive Behaviors in the Classroom 

Designed for classroom teachers but open to anyone, this course is focused on creating a classroom culture that is positive, engagement and meaningful for students and teachers alike. (March 2026)  

Trauma Informed School and Classrooms 

Designed for classroom teachers and school administrators but open to anyone, this course explores the impact that trauma and stress have on learning and the role resilience plays in developing trusting relationships and creating positive outcomes for students, schools and communities. 

Teaching Skeptical Students 

Developed for classroom teachers but open to anyone, this course equips participants to create a classroom culture that welcomes questions, encourages critical thought and utilizes engaging methods to investigate facts, discern bias and consider various perspectives in order to foster critical thinking and decision making skills.  

Leading Students to Church Work  

Developed for pastors, lay leaders, educators and administrators but open to anyone, this course explores way to initiate conversations and create a culture to support church worker preparation and recruitment.