RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED COLLEGES

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE

1530 Concordia West • Irvine • CA. 92612-3203 949-854-8002
Website: www.cui.edu

Review by Danica Davidson

Finding a good college is something that takes a lot of thought, and many people have found exactly what they needed in a university by enrolling in Concordia University Irvine. A four year Christian liberal arts school based on Lutheran teachings, Concordia is a school where many homeschoolers fit right in and thrive.

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University Irvine's web site

The college, located in beautiful Irvine, California, had its first academic year in 1976. Today, with fifty offered undergraduate majors/minors, nine graduate degrees and an adult degree completion program, students with all sorts of interests are able to take the classes they want. The university has been listed in U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges”, and for five consecutive years, the Institutional Research and Evaluation has named it as one of America’s Best Christian Colleges. The Templeton Guide of Character Building Universities, which lists a mere one hundred college recommendations, chose to honor Concordia by having it in their book.

One of Concordia University Irvine’s great pluses for homeschool students and others is its small class sizes. The student/faculty ratio is 15 to 1. The small class sizes help enable teachers to really aid their students and make the learning process more personal.

In terms of actual learning, what Concordia offers is outstanding. In the School of Arts and Sciences, the majors offered are Art, Behavioral Science, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, English, Exercise & Sport Science, History, Humanities & Fine Arts, International Studies, Mathematics, Music, Political Science, Psychology, and Theatre. Professional Programs are Pre-Law and Pre-Medical. The Graduate Program offers an M.A. in Coaching and Athletic Administration and an M.A. in Family Life Ministry.

The School of Business and Professional Studies offers a major with an emphasis in Business Administration. For the C.U. Accelerated Degree Completion, working adult students are able to earn a Bachelor of Arts/liberal arts degree in education or a Bachelor of Arts/liberal arts degree in business. The graduate program offers an M.A. in International Studies and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Meanwhile, in the School of Education, the Majors are Liberal Studies and Concentrations. Professional Programs are Elementary Education, Secondary Education and Preliminary Credential. Credential Programs are Preliminary Credential with CLAD and Professional Clear (Host-Baccalaureate). The Graduate Programs here are a Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction (online and off-campus), a Master of Arts and Administration, and a Master of Education.

In the Christ College School of Theology, Majors are Christian Education Leadership, Theological Studies and Theology. The Graduate Programs are Cross-Cultural Ministries and M.A. in Theology. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Church Professions Certification Programs are Director of Christian Education, Director of Parish Music, Lutheran Teaching Ministry Certification, and Pre-Seminary Certifications.

In the area of college athletics, there are Men’s teams in baseball, basketball, cross-country/track, golf, soccer and tennis and women’s teams in basketball, cross-country/track, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Concordia participates in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) and is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division.

What students can learn here is endless, and that’s the whole point of college. Ninety percent of attendees receive financial help, so people do not have to think they can’t go to Concordia because of money issues.

Though this is a Lutheran university, and while all full-time faculty are Lutheran, students of any faith or denomination are welcome to attend. For those who are Christian, this, of course, is an ideal college. It’s a member of the Concordia University System of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Quite a few homeschool students have attended Concordia, and their praises for it couldn’t be higher. Sarah (Hall) Ailes, a 2005 Concordia alumnae and former homeschooler, expressed her love for the university by saying, “Because Concordia is a Christian school, I was surrounded by an environment that promoted values in the faith that I grew up in. More than that, though, Concordia’s professors held me to high standards, academically and morally, thereby creating an atmosphere of supportive accountability in which I could mature as a college student. Concordia’s small class sizes allowed me to get to know my professors and develop a mentoring relationship with many of them, allowing my professors to be maximally affective inside and outside the classroom.”

Currently there are just under 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled. Being a smaller school, it allows students to really get to know one another and become one big family. Many students comment on how friendly the atmosphere is and how easy it is to make lasting friends. For these and countless other reasons, it’s no wonder that homeschool students are finding it their home away from home. With excellent courses, impassioned instructors and encouraging faculty, Concordia University Irvine is a great success. The students who go there find success as well, graduating with a whole new appreciation for education, their faith, the future and themselves.

For additional information, please visit www.cui.edu.D.D.