Concordia University Chicago

7400 Augusta St, River Forest, IL 60305, United States Chicago, USA Visit web page

Deaconess Program - Theology (BA)

Study detals

Course type: Bachelor's degree Degree: BA in Deaconess Program - Theology Study mode: Full time Duration : 48 Month

Requirements

To apply, you will need the following:

A completed admission application for Concordia University Chicago.
Official transcripts of all college coursework from each institution you have attended.
Foreign transcripts evaluated by a Concordia-Chicago-approved international credentialing service. Concordia-Chicago accepts evaluations from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
A certified document pledging financial support for your first year of study and without any unexpected events, and enough funding from the same or an equally dependable source for the following years.
Proof of graduation from a secondary school.
A transfer verification form for students transferring from a school in the United States.
Proof of English proficiency, via one of the following:
- A score of at least 72 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) — Concordia-Chicago’s DI code is 1140
- A score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Successful completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language School (ELS) or a certificate of completion of program from an English Language Institute (ELI), along with a recommendation of the program director
- Duolingo test with a minimum score of 95

Speciality

Description	Per Year	Per Semester
Technology Fee	$436.00	$218.00
Wellness/Medical Fee	$160.00	$80.00
Student Activity Fee	$356.00	$178.00
Registration and Records Fee	$96.00	$48.00
Green Fee	$10.00	$5.00
Total (commuter)	$38,798.00	$19,399.00

Additional information

Degree Overview

CUC offers the only undergraduate program leading to full deaconess certification in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Students can become certified in just five years, including a one-year paid internship. Students major in Theology and combine their studies with a minor in areas such as education, social work, psychology, Biblical languages, Spanish, or other choices.

Deaconess students also take many courses in diaconal theology, ministry, and history. Guided practical experience happens in 200 hours of field work and a year-long internship.

Community is also an important part of deaconess student life. Students meet regularly to study God’s word, pray and worship. They also gather for retreats, fellowship and fun. Community life extends to professional working deaconesses who pray regularly for students, serve as adjunct instructors, and visit campus for Bible studies and classes.

At the end of successful program completion, students will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and are eligible to receive LCMS certification and/or placement as a deaconess, although this is not guaranteed.

Internships

A year-long, paid deaconess internship is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to put into practice the concepts they’ve learned in the classroom, and to grow from new experiences.

CUC’s interns have served in institutions and congregations throughout the U.S. and in the mission in countries such as Guatemala, China, Thailand, Germany and England. Assignments for internships are made by the program director after consultation with each student.

Service Opportunities

In an agency, the role of the deaconess intern will be determined by the specific needs of the residents and the agency. Ordinarily, there should be some opportunity to:

Care spiritually for the residents (under the chaplain's guidance)
Lead Bible study groups
Coordinate volunteers
Develop new resident participation groups
Learn the structure of the agency
Develop social service skills
Use music or other special talents, according to ability
Become aware of community resources for the residents
Learn to work with families of residents

In the parish, the deaconess intern ordinarily should have some experience or acquaintance with the following areas:

Caring spiritually for the hospitalized, home-bound, grieving and needy
Leading women's Bible study group(s)
Teaching religion classes, weekday school, Sunday School
Caring for women and youth
Developing new Bible study groups
Participating in evangelism (either through an existing training program or by leading a program according to her particular competency)
Understanding congregational structure through observation and participation
Coordinating volunteers (altar guild, greeters, VBS workers, youth leaders, etc.)
Participating in specialized ministries (widowed, single, divorced, handicapped, etc.)
Working with ladies' societies and LWML groups
Using her own special talents (drama, music, art, etc.)

In the mission field, the role of the deaconess intern will be determined by the specific needs of the mission site.

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