B.A. B.S.Ed. Christian Education Leadership

Major

The Christian education leadership major from Concordia University, Nebraska can help you serve Christ’s church through education as a Director of Christian education (DCE), youth or camp ministry leader, Christian teacher or as a national or international missionary by equipping you to bring Christian values and leadership to God’s people in a church or school.  

Concordia has a strong record of providing leaders in Christian education; over 30% of all Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod DCEs are alumni of Concordia University, Nebraska. By intentionally intersecting excellent academics with Christian faith experiences and dynamic, real-world experience, Concordia can help you fulfill your higher purpose, in your career and as a leader in the church and world. 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP COURSES

144 credit hours
100% career outcome rate1
17:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
 

Encourage your students to understand the world through the perspective of God’s truth, using the Bible and its teachings to help young and old to learn and live a Christian life every day. 

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Program Highlights

WHY STUDY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AT CONCORDIA? 

Concordia University, Nebraska prepares Christian educators who in turn equip people of all ages in congregations for their ministries in various contexts. We focus on the Christian education leader as educator, instructional leader, administer, care action minister consultant and researcher. 

Graduates seek to use education to equip others to more capably live out God’s plan for their lives – essentially to "prepare God’s people for works of service so the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:12). 

Director of Christian Education Certificate  

Concordia awards a DCE certificate to all LCMS graduates who have completed the DCE admission process, CEL major, foundational major, DCE certification requirements and all other graduation requirements for a baccalaureate degree. This certification entitles a graduate to receive a call as a DCE and to be placed on the Commissioned Minister Roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. 

When you complete your Christian education leadership major at Concordia University, Nebraska you will graduate with a double major. You can choose a second major in theology, psychology, behavioral science or education. All of this can be completed in four years, with a fifth year in the paid internship required for those seeking DCE certification. 

Director of Christian Education: Specialist Diploma  

Concordia’s director of Christian education specialist diploma program will help you learn innovative, creative ways to help young, middle-aged and adult learners see their faith journeys as relevant, real, fulfilling and fun. 

Designed for those students who have completed their undergraduate coursework and are seeking DCE certification, the DCE specialist program includes a balance of theoretical and practical training so you can help people grow in their faith. 

MEET OUR EXPERT FACULTY 

As experts in Christian Education Leadership, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom. 

Meet the faculty

Meet our students

Matthew Murphy
Colorado Springs, CO

Being a DCE entails creating a cradle-to-grave sequence of education. One hundred percent of people need faith 100% of the time.

Accreditation

Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Degree Goals

A Christian education leadership graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:  

  • commit to fulfilling Christian education ministries within the church. 
  • apply biblical, educational, historical and administrative principles to help those who are part of the priesthood of all believers to live out their Christian faith. 
  • create and implement programs to meet the educational needs of their church, school or organization. 
  • develop a biblically-based, comprehensive philosophy of Christian educational ministries that reflects sound educational theory and practice. 

Career Outcomes

Director of Christian Education 

  • Create, implement and coordinate programs of religious education 
  • Work with children’s or youth ministry 
  • Foster and nurture Christian faith and discipleship through Sunday school, bible studies and other programs designed to assist spiritual formation 

Youth Minister 

  • Conduct worship and provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance 
  • Lead Christian education classes, Bible studies and various church programs 
  • Lead summer Bible camps or mission trips for youths 

FAQs

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Theology

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Psychology

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Behavioral Science

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1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.