Classical Education at Concordia embraces a traditional engagement with the Liberal Arts anchored in Christian thought and tailored to the modern world. Classical Education emphasizes not only the holistic development of students—mind, body, spirit—but also the development of content knowledge in the various areas of the Liberal Arts, including language arts, history, philosophy, theology, the fine arts, mathematics and science. Students are encouraged to see the interconnections between these discrete disciplines and to pursue not simply an accumulation of knowledge, but to embark upon a life-long pursuit of Truth. With this solid foundation students are prepared to follow vocations as teachers, in their turn helping develop young people to their fullest potential.

The Classical Education program is intended to prepare students to teach in schools and academies which have adopted a classical paradigm for their curricula and principles of pedagogy. Graduates of the program may be called to positions in schools of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and are eligible to be rostered in the LCMS with the designation “Minister of Religion—Commissioned, Teacher.” Nevertheless, admission to the program is open to members of any Christian denomination

The Classical Pedagogy minor will help students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will prepare them for their vocations as Classical educators.  Students will develop an understanding of the broader historical and legal context of Classical education and will demonstrate the ability to articulate the philosophy of Classical (particularly Lutheran) education and to distinguish between various educational philosophies and to assess them in light of Lutheran theology. In addition, students will develop facility with teaching methods distinct to Classical (Lutheran) education and will acquire practical experience in a Classical education setting by means of a structured student teaching experience. 

All students are required to have a minimum of 12 hours in Classical Latin, 15 hours in Bible and Doctrine, and a distribution of courses in the Humanities and Arts disciplines that make up the traditional education of a “free” citizen, as defined in the Classical world.  In order to be eligible to receive a call from a LCMS congregation, the student must also complete successfully all theology courses required of a candidate qualified for a first call as a Minister of Religion—Commissioned.

Curriculum

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
ENG 3500	Classical & Modern Rhetoric	3
HIST 4400	History of Education in the Western Tradition	3
LA 3000	Teaching Methods of Classical Education	3
LA 4800	Practicum	1-3
LA 4900	Classical Education Student Teaching	6
LEGL 3250	Legal Landscape of American Schools	3
PSY 3050	Psychology of Teaching and Learning	3
Total Hours		22-24