Director of Christian Education

Requirements

Certification as a Director of Christian Education
Background: The Director of Christian Education (DCE) program prepares men and women to serve as lifespan educational leaders who are prepared for service in team ministry in a congregational setting within the Lutheran Church.

Routes Leading to Certification as a Director of Christian Education:

DCE Baccalaureate:
One who is seeking certification as a DCE through the completion of a Liberal Arts degree with the Director of Christian Education Certification.

Course of Study
DCE Baccalaureate:

• General Education requirements
• Minor in Confessional Lutheranism
• Parish Education and Administration Major
• Director of Christian Education Emphasis.

DCE Residential Specialist:
One who has previously earned a baccalaureate degree and is seeking certification through on-campus enrollment as a Director of Christian Education.

Course of Study
DCE Residential Specialist

• Minor in Confessional Lutheranism
• Parish Education and Administration Major
• Director of Christian Education Emphasis.

DCE Colloquy:
One who has previously earned a baccalaureate degree, is currently serving a Lutheran congregation and is seeking certification as a Director of Christian Education through the colloquy process of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

DCE/Church Teacher (DCT):
One who is seeking certification as a DCE and in addition is seeking licensure as a Lutheran Classroom Teacher.

Course of Study
DCT Baccalaureate:

• General Education requirements
• Minor in Confessional Lutheranism
• Parish Education and Administration Major
• Director of Christian Education Emphasis
• Requirements for elementary/secondary licensure.

DCE Residential Specialist - additional requirements

The DCE Residential Specialist program includes the following additional requirements: The Cumulative Grade Point Average earned through the previous baccalaureate degree will serve as the entering CGPA at Concordia. Additional post-baccalaureate undergraduate course work will be computed into the CGPA. The DCE Residential Specialist must have a 2.50 CGPA to apply for admission to the program. Admission to the program and admission to the university are two separate processes. Course work from the earned baccalaureate that applies to the DCE Residential Specialist program will be transferred to the Concordia transcript.

DCE Church Teacher (DCT)

Requirements include those for DCE Baccalaureate and requirements for Lutheran Classroom Teacher.

• DCE Colloquy
• Colloquy Core
• Parish Education and Certification

Field Work and Clinical Experiences

The DCE/DCT Baccalaureate Certification program provides a variety of field experiences designed to support the candidate in developing attitudes and skills necessary for working in a ministry setting.

Field Work Experiences Each candidate must complete 150 hours of guided parish work prior to beginning an internship experience. The primary work takes place in a parish assignment fieldwork courses, CVM 370, CVM 371. Additional hours are completed in the DCE Teaching Practicum. The remaining hours may be fulfilled through parish visitations and/or other volunteer hours. Policies may be found in the DCE Field Work and Clinical Experiences Handbook.

Requirements for Admission to Pre-Internship Field Experiences:

1. Enrollment in Parish Education I/II.
2. Enrollment in Fieldwork I/II.
3. Approval of the director of the DCE certification program.

Clinical Practice

DCE Practicum
The DCE Practicum provides opportunity for the DCE student to experience teaching the faith in the setting of a Lutheran school under the supervision of a Lutheran Classroom Teacher. In addition, the DCE student provides leadership in chapel settings and other projects designed to support the formation of the DCE student as a life-span Christian educator.

Requirements for Admission to DCE Practicum

1. Admission to the DCE Certification Program.
2. Completion of ED-454.
3. Enrollment in DCE 361.

Internship

The Internship is a full-time assignment in an approved ministry setting allowing the student to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for service as a Director of Christian Education. The internship is normally for one year and takes place within the course of academic preparation. Policies regarding the DCE Internship are in the DCE Field Work and Clinical Practices Handbook.

Requirements for Admission to Internship:

1. Admission in good standing to the DCE Program.
2. Completion of pre-internship fieldwork requirements.
3. Letter of recommendation from field work supervisors.
4. Cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above.
5. Successful completion of PSY 101-Introduction to Psychology, RLG203-Old Testament Narrative, RLG206-New Testament, PSY210Child Psychology and Development, PEA 366-Parish Education I, PEA 367-Parish Education II, DCE 366-Introduction to DCE, DCE 361-DCE Practicum, ED 454-Teaching the Faith, ED 330-Human Diversity and Relations, THY 330-Our Living Faith, PEA 316 Leadership I.
6. Provision of background check.
7. Evidence of Scriptural requirements for entry-level service in the Church: sound in doctrine with evidence of a vibrant Christian faith; a life above reproach, giving faithful Christian witness; competency in ministry content and skills.
8. Participation in pre-intern workshops/retreats in the semester prior to internship.
9. Approval of DCE Certification program coordinator and the voting members of the College of Vocation and Ministry.

Graduation Requirements
Students working toward certification as a Director of Christian Education (DCE/DCT Baccalaureate) complete the following:

1. 140 credits, including all area and course requirements.
2. Academic work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in major and minor area courses.

Certification Requirements

Graduation and certification are two separate processes; one does not guarantee the other. Requirements for certification are delineated in the DCE Certification Program Handbook.

Academic Program for Certification as a Director of Christian Education

Prerequisite:

PSY101

Introduction to Psychology

4

Major: Parish Education and Administration
(46 credits)

PSY215	Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology for K-12 Educators	4
PEA366	Parish Education I	3
PEA367	Parish Education II	3
COM205	Group Communication and Facilitation	4
CVM370	Field Work I	1
CVM371	Field Work II	1
PEA312	Family and Youth Ministry	4
PEA316	Leadership I	4
PSY330	Introduction to Counseling	4
PEA401	Teaching the Faith Across the Lifespan	4
PEA411	Leadership II	4
ED454	Teaching the Faith	2
FAS400	Family Systems, Structures and Relationships	4
ED418	Adult Education and Development	4

Minor: Confessional Lutheranism
21 credits

RLG203	Old Testament Narrative	3
RLG206	New Testament	3
RLG241	Church History	3
RLG303	Old Testament II	2
THY330	Our Living Faith	4
THY341	Lutheran Confessional Writings	3
THY422	Christian Ministry and Practice	3

Certification Requirements: 38-47 credits

Director of Christian Education Emphasis
Professional Courses: (26-32 credits)

DCE361	DCE Practicum	2
DCE366	Introduction to the DCE Ministry	2
DCE367	DCE Pre-Internship	2
DCE433	Role of the Director of Christian Education	2
DCE497	Introduction to International Missions Director Christian Education Internship (international interns only)	6
DCE498	DCE Internship I	6
DCE499	DCE Internship II	6
ED330	Human Diversity and Relations	2
ED454	Teaching the Faith	2
THY460	Worship for Lutherans	2

DCE Specialization
12-14 credits (select one of the following):

Family Ministry:
(15 credits)

COM403	Family Communication	4
FAS300	Methods and Materials for Family Education	3
SOC253	Marriage and Family	4
SOC451	Social Psychology	4

Youth Ministry:
(15 credits)

COM403	Family Communication	4
CVM210	Peer Ministry	3
PSY220	Adolescent Psychology	4
SOC451	Social Psychology	4

Adult Ministry: (12 credits)

ANT101	Cultural Anthropology	2
COM309	Intercultural Communication	4
SOC451	Social Psychology	4
SOC355	Sociology of Aging	2

Outdoor Ministry Specialization: (14 credits)

CVM317	Outdoors Ministry	2
BIO231	Field Biodiversity and Natural History	4
CVM 369	Outdoor Ministry Practicum	2
choose 6 credits:
BIO425	Ornithology	3
BIO336	Marine Biology (Belize or Jamaica)	2
BIO338	Desert Biology (Arizona)	2
BIO337	Tropical Biology (Costa Rica)	2

Outreach Ministry Specialization:
(14 credits)

RLG350	Religions of the World	4
THY280	Personal Witness	2
THY281	Principles for Christian Outreach	4
THY371	Mission of God	4

Music Ministry Specialization:
(14 credits)

General Education Prerequisite:

MUS120	Music and Human Experience	2
or
FPA112	The Human Odyssey	4

Prerequisites (if needed based on assessment):

MUS101	Basic Musicianship	2
MUS111	Class Piano I	2
MUS112	Class Piano II	2
MUS115	Beginning Guitar I	1

Required

MUS201

Musicianship I

4

Electives: 4 credits of any music classes (up to 2 credits of 700 level ensembles may be used).

Tracks (Select one of the following 7 credit tracks):

Choral (7 credits)

MUS261	Beginning Conducting	2
MUS366	Vocal Techniques and Pedagogy	1
MUS860	4 semesters Voice @ 1 credit each	4
MUS713 or 714	4 semesters choir @ 0-2 credits	0-8

Piano (7 credits)

MUS365	Electronic Instruments Tech and Pedagogy	2
MUS369	Art of Accompanying	1
MUS840	4 semesters of Piano @ 1 cr. each	4
MUS7xx	2 semesters of ensemble required @ 0-2 credits each

Organ (7 credits)

MUS369	Art of Accompanying	1
MUS440	Church Organist	2
MUS850	4 semesters of Organ @ 1 cr. each	4
MUS7xx	2 semesters of ensemble required @ 0-2 credits each

Guitar (7 credits)

MUS161	Class Voice	1
MUS365	Electronic Instruments, Tech and Pedagogy	2
MUS870	4 semesters Guitar @ 1 cr. each	4
MUS 7xx	2 semesters of ensemble required

Handbells (7 credits)

MUS261	Beginning Conducting	2
MUS364	Handbell Techniques and Pedagogy	1
MUS740	Handbell Ensemble @ 0-1 cr/sem	4

Instrumental (7 credits)

MUS261	Beginning Conducting	2
MUS444	Instrumental Arranging	1
MUS720	2 semesters Concert Band @ 0-2	credits
MUS8xx	4 semesters private lessons @ 1 credit each	4

Small Group Ministry Specialization:
(15 credits)

COM309	Intercultural Communication	4
COM403	Family Communication	4
SOC451	Social Psychology	4
CVM210	Peer Ministry	3

Cross-Cultural Ministry Specialization:
(12 credits)

COM309	Intercultural Communication	4
SOC358	Minority Groups	4
THY473	Cross-Cultural Outreach	4

Children's Ministry Specialization:
(14 credits)

PSY210	Child Psychology and Development	4
COM403	Family Communication	4
One of the following:
ECE321	Pre-primary education	3
ECE325	Education of Infants and Toddlers	4

Special Education Specialization:
(12 credits)

ED380	Education of the Exceptional Child	4
ED481	Intro to Learning Disabilities	4
ED483	The Resource Teacher	2
ED487	Diag and Treatment of Reading Diff	2

Drama Ministry Specialization:
(14 credits)

THR102	Acting for Non-Actors	4
THR203	Creative Dramatics	2
THR492	Drama in the Life of the Church	4
THRxxx	Elective	4

Urban Ministry Specialization:
(14 credits)

CVM368	Urban Ministry Practicum	2
SOC358	Minority Groups	4
SOC451	Social Psychology	4
choose one:
SOC357	Class and Community	4
THY480	Rural, Suburban and Urban Outreach	4

Students should consult the Department of Teacher Education for those additional requirements necessary to be certified as a church teacher.