Adult Undergraduate Programs

Learning Concept

The goal of the adult undergraduate programs is to link learning directly to a student’s present or planned career activities – connecting coursework to life experience. This educational model is designed specifically with adults in mind.

  • Prior collegiate and extra-collegiate learning derived from academic, personal, and professional experiences since high school may be evaluated for college credit.
  • Past and present work experience will serve as a catalyst in the learning process. At the heart of the education model is a major project, which continues throughout the program, blends study and experiential learning.

Concordia University faculty are devoted to this educational model and fully respects students’ prior learning as worthwhile and valuable in the educational setting. Experienced in their respective fields, instructors come from Concordia University faculty ranks or are adjunct faculty who have proven expertise and enjoy working with adult students.

General Admission Information

Candidates for undergraduate admission to Concordia University, Saint Paul, must be graduates of a regionally accredited high school or home school or hold the General Education Diploma (GED). Applicants must be persons of good moral character. Early application is encouraged.

Academic Requirement and Procedures

Applicants being admitted with 20 college credits or less will be asked to complete our First-Year student requirements. Applicants with more than 20 college credits will be asked to complete our Transfer student requirements. 

First-Year Students

  1. Complete the Adult Undergraduate  Application for Admission via the admission website www.csp.edu/apply. Application due dates will be communicated by admissions counselors. 
  2. Request an official high school transcript record to date be sent to Concordia University, and also a final official transcript after the senior year's grades and graduation have been recorded. Passing General Education Development (GED) scores may be accepted in lieu of verification of graduation.
  3. If the applicant has attended any other regionally accredited institutions, submission of official transcripts from these institutions is also required. 
  4. Verification of a High School cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 or better. 
  5. Under the Test-Optional policy, students have a choice of whether to submit their ACT or SAT scores for admissions application review. 
  6. Submit a typed essay you would like your admissions counselor to consider in the application review process.  Minimum of 500 words suggested.  Submit as a PDF document through your application portal or email it as an attachment to your admissions counselor

Applicants currently enrolled in CSP’s PSEO program do not need to sub.mit an admissions essay

CSP Essay Topic Options (select one):

  • Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Transfer Students

  1. Complete the Adult Undergraduate  Application for Admission via the admission website www.csp.edu/apply. Application due dates will be communicated by admissions counselors. 
  2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges or post-secondary schools attended. If currently enrolled, submit a final transcript after completion of studies. All official transcripts must be submitted by the end of the first term of study. 
  3. Verification of a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 or better.  If you have attended a Minnesota State college or university we also ask that you provide an official accompanying DARS or MnTC goal area worksheet. Concordia accepts completed goal areas toward our general education requirements, in addition to course-by-course review. 

Note: Admission to specific majors is required beyond general admission to the university. See the appropriate departmental major and/or the Office of Undergraduate Admission for more information.

Students enrolling in an adult undergraduate program must have access to a computer that meets Concordia University’s technology requirements

Demonstration of English Proficiency

Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that they are English proficient by completing one of CSP's testing or course/institutional options. Additionally, all applicants must meet any program-specific requirements prior to applying to these programs. A full list of testing and course/institution options can be found on the CSP English Language Proficiency webpage

Application Contacts

Persons seeking undergraduate admission should direct all correspondence to:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
Concordia University, Saint Paul
1282 Concordia Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104-5494

Acceptance to Concordia University

All prospective students will be notified by email of the action taken on their application. Materials submitted should demonstrate that applicants satisfactorily meet the admission criteria set by the faculty of Concordia University. Exceptions are considered by the Adult Undergraduate Admissions Committee. Appeals may be made to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Re-Admission of Former Students of Concordia University

  1. Apply for re-admission through the Office of Undergraduate Admission. No application fee is required
  2. Submit information concerning activities since last attending Concordia, and include appropriate letters of recommendation if required
  3. Request official transcript of credits earned at other institution(s) be sent to the registrar

Advanced Placement Program

Concordia University will grant credit for most College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations to students with a grade of three, four, or five. Students should have an official score report sent to Concordia University (code number 6114). Concordia University’s AP credit policy is posted on www.csp.edu.

College-Level Examination Program

Concordia University will grant credit for most College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) results to students with a score of 50 or higher. Only those exams listed in the CLEP credit policy will be accepted. Students should have an official score report sent to Concordia University, Saint Paul – code number 6114. Information about the CLEP examinations can be found at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html. The CLEP credit policy is posted on www.csp.edu.