Professional Church Work Programs
Concordia University’s Department of Theology and Ministry supports four professional church work programs that prepare students for certification and placement as Commissioned Ministers of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS): Director of Christian Education; Director of Christian Outreach; Director of Parish Music; and Lutheran Classroom Teacher. The department also has two Pre-Seminary Programs: Pre-Pastoral and Pre-Deaconess.
Director of Christian Education
The Director of Christian Education (DCE) program prepares students to serve as lifespan educational leaders in various team ministry settings in the congregation. DCEs teach the Christian faith to children and adults across the lifespan. The DCE program is typically five years in duration, entailing the core Bible and theology component, a cluster of more specialized courses, practicum, and one year devoted to a supervised internship.
Students must complete the Lutheran Theology minor and major in Christian Ministry. In addition, students must be members at an LCMS congregation, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and meet all the eligibility requirements for LCMS placement including the successful completion of a theological LCMS certification interview.
Director of Christian Outreach
The Director of Christian Outreach (DCO) program prepares students to serve the church by specializing in outreach, evangelism, and Christian service. A DCO helps to assess outreach opportunities unique to a ministry setting and to equip each congregation to bring the Gospel to people in the most winsome and effective ways possible. The DCO may serve in North America or on a foreign mission field. The DCO program is typically five years in duration and entails a core of academic work in Lutheran theology, a core of specialized courses, practicum, and one year devoted to a supervised internship.
Students must complete the Lutheran Theology minor and major in Christian Ministry. In addition, students must be members at an LCMS congregation, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and meet all the eligibility requirements for LCMS placement including the successful completion of a theological LCMS certification interview.
Director of Parish Music
The Director of Parish Music (DPM) program prepares students to serve the church by specializing in music leadership. A DPM uses the rich liturgical tradition of the Lutheran church and music of all forms in leading and enhancing the worship of the Church. The DPM will be active in worship planning, while equipping, leading, and teaching others in worship and music. A DPM program entails a core of academic work in Lutheran theology, curriculum in music and music education, and practicum.
Students must complete the Lutheran Theology minor and major in Church Music. In addition, students must be members at an LCMS congregation, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and meet all the eligibility requirements for LCMS placement including the successful completion of a theological LCMS certification interview.
Lutheran Classroom Teacher
The Lutheran Classroom Teacher (LCT) program prepares students to serve for teaching careers in one of the more than 2,500 preschool, elementary or secondary schools of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. A student preparing to be a Lutheran Classroom Teacher completes the requirements for Minnesota state teacher licensure and church work certification through the Department of Theologyand Ministry.
Students must complete the Lutheran Classroom Teacher minor and major in a teacher licensure program. In addition, students must be members at an LCMS congregation, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and meet all the eligibility requirements for LCMS placement including the successful completion of a theological LCMS certification interview.
Pre-Seminary Education
The pre-seminary programs prepare students to apply for graduate studies at a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod seminary. Students are responsible for researching the requirements of the professional program of interest. These requirements often vary from one institution to another. Completing a pre-professional program does not guarantee acceptance into a professional program. Concordia University Saint Paul offers two pre-seminary programs: Pre-Pastoral and Pre-Deaconess.
Pre-Pastoral Education
The pre-pastoral program at Concordia University, Saint Paul, prepares students to continue their studies at a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod seminary to receive graduate education as LCMS ordained ministers for service in Word and Sacrament.
Pre-pastoral students must complete the Lutheran Theology Minor. In addition, students must be members at an LCMS congregation and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Students are also encouraged to take the Biblical Studies Major or Theology Major.
Pre-Deaconess Education
The pre-deaconess program at Concordia University, Saint Paul prepares students to continue their studies at a seminary in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, to receive graduate education as LCMS deaconesses who are professional church-workers, trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a ministry of works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the Christian faith.
Pre-deaconess students must complete the Lutheran Theology Minor. In addition, students must be members at an LCMS congregation and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Students are also encouraged to take the Biblical Studies Major or Theology Major.