Definition of Terms
Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, and Vocation and Ministry

The academic year consists of two fourteen week semesters plus final examination days.

Bachelor of Arts degree consists of a major, or two minors, general education courses, and elective courses totaling the minimum credit requirements (128) to graduate with a B.A. Degree from Concordia.

Bachelor of Business Administration degree consists of a major in Accounting, Finance, General Business, Marketing and Management Information Systems, general education courses and electives totaling a minimum of 128 credits.

A certificate of proficiency is awarded by the faculty when prescribed courses are met and proficiencies are demonstrated.

Certification for church work is the process by which the faculty approves candidates for placement in the public ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; including teacher, Director of Christian Education, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Parish Music.

A credit means a semester hour credit. It represents one class meeting of fifty minutes or a laboratory double period of one hundred minutes each week for one semester of the academic year.

An elective course is a course chosen in addition to major, minor, or emphasis requirements.

An emphasis consists of twelve (12) to sixteen (16) credits taken in courses in one area or related areas of study.

An hour is the fifty-minute period per week required in a given course to earn a semester hour credit.

An integrative course is comprised of two or more disciplines, is team-taught and makes connections to life beyond academic material.

A teaching licensure is recommended by the university after completion of requirements for the desired license and is granted by the state of Minnesota.

A major normally consists of thirty-two (32) to forty-four (44) credits taken in courses in one area or related areas of study prescribed by the faculty.

A minor normally consists of twenty (20) to twenty-four (24) credits taken in courses in one area or related areas of study prescribed by the faculty.

A prerequisite is a course which students are required to take before being eligible to enroll in an advanced course.

A program is a course of study leading to licensure (teaching) or certification (DCE, DPM, DCO).

A specialization is a focused group of courses required in addition to a major or minor to attain a certification.

A track is one of two or more alternative sets of courses prescribed by the faculty within a major. The purpose of a track is to provide direction to a student in meeting interest, vocational, or other needs while fulfilling the requirements of a major.

A transcript of credits is a certified record of all grades earned and all courses attempted at a given school, college or university.