Concordia University at Wisconsin

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, better known as LCMS, owns and operates several university campuses across the country, including Concordia University at Wisconsin. Founded in 1881 as a Lutheran Evangelical college, students originally attended classes in the basement of a local church and had just a few options when it came to degrees and programs. The college later moved across the city to its own standalone location, but it later sold that campus and built a much larger one in Mequon, Wisconsin. Concordia University spent a number of years as a theology school that helped men develop the skills necessary to work as church leaders. During the 1960s, the college added its own junior college program, which became the first part of the college to admit female students. It wasn't until the 1970s and after the campus became part of the LCMS system did it fully admit females.

Nearly half of all the students who enroll in the campus study either health professions or education, but the university also offers programs in business, public administration, theology and medical studies. Approximately half of all students come from a Lutheran background as well, though the school accepts students from different religious backgrounds. Concordia University added online classes to better meet the needs of its busy professional students.

Concordia University at Wisconsin Accreditation Details

Students selecting a college or university often put too much emphasis or focus on the teachers working for the school, the activities available and other factors without thinking about accreditation. Every college in the nation must have accreditation from a regional or national organization to receive any type of financial aid for students or financial assistance from the federal government. Good colleges will clearly list all that information in a place where potential students can access it. Students can also talk with an admissions counselor or a representative from the school to find out more about accreditation and which programs offered by the school have accreditation.

Concordia University at Wisconsin has accreditation from one of the largest and most reputable organizations in the country, the Higher Learning Commission. The HLC accredited the school through its North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which also renewed the university's accreditation each year since it came up for renewal. Other organizations that accredited the university for some of its individual programs include:

• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• Council on Social Work Education
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

Concordia University at Wisconsin Application Requirements

Concordia University at Wisconsin is one of the few colleges today that does not charge an application fee. Students can complete and submit the application without sending the university any money. Graduate students can use the code on the graduate school home page to file an application for free too. The main requirement for graduate students is a high grade point average. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a traditional 4.0 scale. Those with a lower GPA may receive acceptance on a conditional basis. Those students will need to maintain a high GPA and take some introductory or beginner courses before entering the graduate school. The university also requires that international students submit the scores they received on a proficiency examination to show they are proficient in the English language.

After completing the basic application, graduate students will need to submit several documents to the school, including two letters of recommendation from employers and/or professors and a resume that shows any education, experience or work they completed that applies to their field of study. Concordia University Wisconsin also requires that all graduate students send in official transcripts that show the courses they took in college.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Concordia University at Wisconsin charges a flat tuition fee for students that starts at $530 for students in the educational programs and rises to $720 for those in its medical programs. The university charges this fee for each credit hour that a student takes. Students enrolled full time in one of the educational programs can expect to spend around $5,000 or more each semester. Some of its medical programs come with a flat rate that students pay for each semester in the program. All students are also subject to a technology fee of $60 for full time students and $30 for part time students. Online students will need to buy their own supplies and buy or rent their textbooks.

Financial aid is available to most students, including those who take all their classes online. The amount that students receive depends on the amount of need they have. Students entering college must complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid. Dependent students use the financial and tax information of their parents, while independent students can use their own financial information. Graduate students can borrow money from the government in the form of unsubsidized loans or take out private student loans.

Online Master of Science in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education

Concordia University Wisconsin offers three specialized graduate degree programs for students who have an undergraduate degree in an educational field. The Master of Science in Educational Leadership focuses on helping students learn more about educational financial plans and programs, working with different types of personnel, getting help from the state, local or federal government and gaining a deep understanding of ethics relating to educational systems. The Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction is a program that looks more at curriculum development, including how to find the right materials for students and how to incorporate those materials into the classroom. Students can also enroll in the Master of Science in Education – Special Education program that focuses more on teaching and working with students with special needs.

These programs require that students take and complete a minimum of 31 credit hours of work, and all three are available online. Though the university does require that students take an internship to gain some field experience, students can work in their own communities. Students can work with the university to find an internship in their area or find one and file the right documents with the school. Concordia University at Wisconsin believes that fieldwork better prepares students for working in schools later.