Fast-Paced Online Master’s Programs From CUC
Concordia University Chicago appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Most Affordable Accelerated Master’s in Sports Medicine Online.
Concordia University Chicago offers five-yearly starts for accelerated eight-week online courses to complete 42 master’s options within just 12-18 months. For instance, the MS Applied Exercise Science races through a 30-credit, non-thesis curriculum with Fitness & Health Promotion, Human Movement Science, Nutrition, and Sports Performance Training tracks to NASM certification. Chaired by Dr. Christopher Lilly, the MA Education Technology ranked ninth nationally by OnlineColleges.net aligns to 2012 ISTE standards for the Illinois Tech Specialist Endorsement. Taught by ordained Lutheran pastors at a 10:1 ratio, the 33-credit MA Religion studies Biblical doctrines in seminars like Messianic Prophecies and 16-week research capstones. Since 2017, the MBA Digital Marketing has built atop the Four Pillars with a 36-credit, ACBSP-accredited major and Student Association events for 94 percent job placement.
Other Concordia opportunities include the MA Health Care Leadership, MA Differentiated Instruction, MA Online PK-12 Teaching, MS Instructional Design, MA Women’s & Gender Studies, and MBA Finance.
About Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Chicago originated on January 1, 1864, when J.C.W. Lindemann opened the Addison Illinois Teachers Seminary at an abandoned two-story tavern for $20 tuition. During Dr. Theodore Brohm’s tenure, it was gifted 40 acres in River Forest in 1911 for its permanent Cook County home. In April 1915, the Illinois Secretary of State officially chartered it as Concordia Teachers College. Four years later, Dr. Kohn first addressed graduates in English rather than German.
Coeducational since 1938, Concordia started the Master of Arts program in August 1959. In 1964, Concordia unveiled the first IBM computer center on-site. By 1979, America’s oldest Lutheran institution broadened to liberal arts education as Concordia College. Given doctoral-level status in 1998, Concordia University Chicago adopted its current name in 2006. Endowed for $22.7 million, CUC now educates 4,494 post-grad Cougars from seven countries primarily online as a “College of Distinction.” The U.S. News & World Report ranked CU Chicago 88th for online teaching and 189th for online MBA programs. The Chronicle of Higher Education also crowned Concordia University Chicago America’s second fast-growing master’s college.
Concordia University Chicago Accreditation Details
On September 20, 2018, the Concordia University Chicago was notified that the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) approved its Fifth-Year Interim Report and extended Level VI accreditation through 2023 under its 11th president, Rev. Dr. Daniel Gard, who earned the St. Martin of Tours Award. Located 11 miles east via Interstate 290 in Chicago’s City Center, this mega 19-state Midwest accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to review CUC’s 99 baccalaureate, 65 master’s, 26 doctoral, and 23 certificate offerings. Concordia is an authorized member of the Lutheran Education Conference of North America (LECNA). The College of Graduate Studies also lists these programmatic accreditations:
- Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Concordia University Chicago Application Requirements
Logging into Concordia University Chicago is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since only 3,553 of the 4,755 Fall 2017 applicants conquered a 75 percent acceptance rate. Post-grad Cougars seeking accelerated online master’s degrees must finish 120+ credits in regionally accredited baccalaureate majors. Equivalent non-U.S. degrees will qualify with ELS Level 112 completion or TOEFL pBT scores above 550. The King George International College English test necessitates a 75 percent or 80 grade. At least four undergrad courses, or 12 credits, must relate to the master’s discipline. For example, the Online MA Human Services seeks prerequisites in Psychology and Sociology. A maximum of nine 500-level credits transfer if graded “C” or better. Full admission relies on a minimum 2.85 bachelor’s or 3.0 master’s GPA. Probationary status is required for overall GPAs between 2.25 and 2.84. Taking graduate entrance exams like the GMAT is optional. The Online MA Special Education also mandates eligibility for the Illinois LBS1 Endorsement.
Concordia University Chicago has published final master’s deadlines of August 27th for Fall I, October 15th for Fall II, December 31st for Spring I, February 25th for Spring II, and May 5th for Summer starts. The Office of Graduate Admission charges $50 non-refundable fees to submit the CUChicago Application online. Official college transcripts are mailed to Addison Hall Suite 158 at 7400 Augusta Street in River Forest, IL 60305. Foreign records must be sent from World Education Services (WES). English as a Foreign Language tests is delivered via institutional code 1140. Supplemental items include the objective statement, professional résumé, two reference letters, writing sample, declaration of finances, and teacher certification if applicable. Please pose further questions to (708) 771-8300 or grad.admission@cuchicago.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Concordia University Chicago is billing traditional full-time tuition of $15,963 per semester or $31,926 annually. Technology fees cost $270 per year. Textbooks and supplies add $1,350. Living at the River Forest campus’ housing like Trusheim Hall brings $11,400 for room and board. CUC budgets $1,800 for personal expenses, $1,200 for travel, and $92 for loan fees. Annual in-person master’s attendance equals around $48,038. However, the College of Graduate Studies charges online programs much differently. The Online MA Grant Writing, Management, and Evaluation cost $440 per credit or $13,200 total. MA Gerontology cohorts pay $510 per online credit or $18,125 overall. The MBA Accounting Online has a $690 per credit price for $37,260. Online MA Sports Leadership students spend $460 per credit or $15,180 over 12-18 months.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Krauss Hall connects 88 percent of CUC Cougars to roaringly good offers averaging $17,568 each for $23.61 million combined. University funds include the Pillars Scholarship, Regents Scholarship, Faculty Scholarship, Lutheran Servant Award, Music Scholarship, Alumni Grant, President’s Honor Scholar Award, and Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. The Supplemental Church Professional Award assists post-grads working 30+ hours weekly at LCMS congregations. Submitting FAFSA forms coded 001666 would facilitate Federal Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus loans. Certain online degrees like the MBA Not-for-Profit Management qualify for the Public Service Employee Loan Forgiveness. Online MA Curriculum and Instruction majors might earn the $3,736 Federal TEACH Grant annually with GPAs above 3.25. Active-duty and veteran military maximize GI Bill benefits in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Illinois Monetary Award Program also offers up to $4,968 per year for a maximum of 135 credits.
Find more about Concordia University Chicago at the College of Graduate Studies website.
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