Admission to Concordia

Welcome to Concordia University Chicago and thank you for your interest in applying to one of our post-master's programs. Admission may be granted for fall, spring or summer semesters, with the exception of the Master of Arts in Religion, which begins annually each fall semester. All documents relating to admission should be submitted to Concordia University’s Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services at least one week prior to the term in which a student intends to take classes.

Admission Requirements

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To be considered for admission to a post-master's certification or CAS program an applicant must:

• Have a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Submit an application to the Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services including an objective statement of the applicant's goals in pursuing the program.
• Transcripts: Forward to the Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services one official, sealed transcript from each college or university attended showing all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
• Submit two letters of recommendation. If possible one should be from a college or university instructor. Letters should be from individuals able to comment on the following: academic proficiency, personal character, competence and effectiveness in professional work.

Superintendent Endorsement Admission Requirements

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In addition to the post-master's requirements listed above, to be considered for the superintendent endorsement, applicants must:

• Have a Type 75 General Administrative/Principals Certificate
• Have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.50
• Have a minimum of two years of supervisory or administrative experience.

Additional Testing

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Depending on program of study, students may be required to take additional tests such as the Graduate Record Exam, Miller Analogies Test and/or the Illinois Basic Skills Test. A writing sample, essay, FBI fingerprint criminal background check, valid teaching certificate and/or interview may also be required to determine what may be necessary for a student to qualify for a graduate program.

Pending Status

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Students applying for admission to a master’s, post-master’s, post baccalaureate, or for a Certificate of Advanced Studies may enroll in an eligible program with Pending Status if all the required documentation has not been received at the time the student wishes to register for course. Students admitted under Pending Status may register for courses in their initial term of admission only. To register for subsequent terms, pending students must be unconditionally admitted to the graduate program for which they have applied. Students entering with Pending Status are not eligible for any form of financial assistance from the university.

Doctoral and international students are not eligible to enroll with Pending Status.

International Students

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Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are required to meet all admission standards listed for the program they wish to enter. In addition, the following are required to be considered for admission:

• TOEFL: A score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) for graduate studies on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or successful completion of Level 112 at an English Language School (ELS), unless English is the native language and an unqualified recommendation from an ELS program director is given. (International students who have earned an advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States of America need not submit TOEFL scores.)
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from each college/university attended showing all college/university course work with certified English translations of all transcripts originally prepared in any other language. Also, any international transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia-approved international credentialing service such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators).
• Financial Support: A certified document guaranteeing adequate financial support for at least the student's first year of study and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, adequate funding from the same or an equally dependable source, for subsequent years.
• Medical: A physical exam, adequate medical insurance, and proof of immunization are required prior to enrollment.
• Regular Admission Requirements: International students must qualify for regular admission to a degree program in order to enroll.

All documents must be received by the Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services at least three months prior to the expected date of entry. I-20 forms may be issued only after University acceptance is granted and will remain in effect only for students who continue to make satisfactory progress as full-time students in an accepted university program. The program length may vary for each student.