History of Concordia University's Adult Education Program
Concordia University was founded as a school of higher education in Milwaukee in 1881 by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Over the past 120 years the University has grown from a school for young men pursuing careers as pastors to a co-educational college to, in 1989, becoming a full University with six schools and over 5000 students.
The School of Adult Education began offering accelerated courses for working adults in 1989 and now delivers courses at nine off-campus centers located in Missouri, Indiana, and Louisiana as well as Wisconsin with current enrollment in excess of 2500.
The average age of students attending the program is 34, typically 25 years old at a minimum, and students are expected to have several years of work experience.
We are often asked what the difference is between Concordia's programs and those of other accelerated adult degree programs. We are often asked how we get as much accomplished in a four to six week schedule as one does in a traditional semester. If one views the adult educational paradigm as merely an accelerated version of a traditional semester, then the format fails - it lacks academic integrity. If, however, one considers the paradigm as a "E-Learning" or "independent study" format to which are added 16 to 24 hours of classroom experience, then one will have a better understanding of the adult learning process. It is expected and required that the majority of the learning will occur outside the classroom through directed independent study.
A hallmark of all adult education degree programs is a strong emphasis on the direct applicability of the course material to the students' careers. Our majors, in Business Management, Human Resource Management, and Management of Criminal Justice, accomplish this admirably. In addition, and this is the key difference, our entire program is infused with the liberal arts conveyed in a Lutheran Christian context.
Thus, not only will one acquire the business skills in marketing, human resources, and accounting, but the student will also grow in creativity, the appreciation of art and literature, comprehension of the world of science, understanding diverse cultures, and most importantly, spiritual growth. Development occurs in all areas, not just in business skills, and in that respect Concordia is unique.
Companies have grown to appreciate this approach as evidenced by providing up to 100% tuition reimbursement for their employees to pursue degrees at Concordia. Graduates have gone on to more successful careers and have also pursued advanced degrees at some of the most prestigious institutions in the United States.
