Traditional and Post-Traditional Academic Programs 

Concordia University serves diverse types of students at varying stages in their lives; therefore, it offers programs that meet the distinctive needs of its students.  For the sake of clarity, Concordia identifies students by either of the two following classifications, traditional and post-traditional.  

Both undergraduate and graduate/professional academic programs may attract post-traditional or traditional students.  To meet the needs of those different types of students, Concordia University has developed academic programs to meet their distinctive needs.

This catalog includes all programs at Concordia University Ann Arbor and Concordia University Wisconsin (Mequon). In the undergraduate catalog, programs will be labeled with (A) if available at Ann Arbor, (M) if available at Mequon. Course modality varies and is indicated on the course schedule for each academic year. In the graduate catalog, programs specific to a certain campus will be labeled either (CUAA) or (CUW). 

Traditional Academic Programs

Traditional students most often see their higher education experience as their primary vocation; they are able to devote “full-time” effort to that experience.  Traditional students are most likely to reside on campus, although many commute.  While traditional students might work and continue to have family responsibilities, those responsibilities are complementary to their vocations as students. These academic programs are offered during the fall and spring semesters, supplemented by a summer semester.  The courses in these programs are typically offered on campus in face-to-face or blended formats.  Students generally receive financial aid on a semester-by-semester basis.

Post-Traditional Academic Programs

Post-traditional students include their higher education experiences as one of several vocations in their lives.  Post-traditional students often have full-time employment; many have significant family responsibilities and participate in other church and community efforts.  They often bring to their educational programs a wealth of professional and personal experience. These academic programs are offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, where students take classes in a face-to-face, blended, or online format.  Students generally receive financial aid on a course-by-course format.

Program Changes

Requirements are subject to change in programs, majors or minors.

The Individualized Major and Minor

(Major  30 cr. minimum) (Minor  18 cr. minimum)

An exception to the requirement of a ready-made major may be granted to a limited number of capable students with special needs or interests. For example, the student whose particular academic interests or career goals may better be served by a distinctive and flexible, but related grouping of courses, that provide for sustained contact with some problem or topic, may develop an appropriate major within the existing resources of the college.

Such self-designated proposals are initiated by the student with the aid of the mentor or academic advisor, developed with the assistance of a professor from an appropriate field, and submitted to the Academic Council for evaluation and recommendation. Final action rests with the Vice President of Academics. If approved, a copy of the plan must be filed in the student’s records by the Registrar.

Cooperative Programs

Concordia University Wisconsin enables students to enrich their academic preparation by taking courses at other higher education institutions with which CUW has a written agreement. Consult the Registrar’s Office for eligibility and guidelines.

Independent Study

Independent Study allows students to develop a course of study in a subject area for which there is not already a module or credits on the student’s transcript. Through the completion of the proposal, the student will state goals and objectives, materials to be used, and means of assessing the learning. An advisor will be assigned to the study. It is the responsibility of the advisor to supervise the completion of the study and to report to Concordia satisfactory completion of the work, at which time credit will be awarded.

Travel Studies

Travel opportunities are available to students through Concordia University's International Center. Travel study participants must contact the sponsor of the trip to obtain the required forms and must complete the necessary paperwork.  Credits earned through travel experience may apply to the core or elective areas.

Reserve Officer Training Corps

Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps

Concordia University students have the opportunity to fully participate in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program. Students enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program attend AFROTC courses at Marquette University.

Through the program, Concordia offers its students the opportunity to prepare for initial active duty assignments as Air Force Commissioned Officers. In order to receive a commission, AFROTC cadets must complete all university requirements for a degree and courses specified by the Air Force. AFROTC offers four-, three-, two-, and one-year programs leading to a commission as an Air Force officer. Four-year program students complete the general military course, the professional officer course, in addition to a four-week summer field training between their second and third years in the program. Two-year students complete only the professional officer course. One-year students complete a seven-week field training session.

AFROTC College Scholarship and Scholarship Actions Programs: These programs provide scholarships to selected students participating in AFROTC. While participating in AFROTC, students receive $250-400 per month along with paid tuition, fees, and a fixed textbook reimbursement.

For more information, contact the Department of Aerospace Studies at Marquette University (414) 288-7882.

Army Reserve Officer Training Course

Concordia University students have the opportunity to fully participate in the Army Reserve Officer Training Course (AROTC) program. Students in the program attend AROTC courses at Marquette University. This program prepares Concordia University students for commissions in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve.

There are two program options a four- or two-year program. The four-year program is divided into two phases: the basic course (taken during the freshman and sophomore years) and the advanced course (taken during the junior and senior years). The two-year program is designed for students at four-year institutions who did not take AROTC during the first two years of college, students entering a postgraduate course of study, or students who have prior military service. Students enrolling in the advanced course who have not taken the basic course will begin their training with a five-week paid summer session at Fort Knox called the Leader’s Training Course or a one-week program held at Marquette called Accelerated Cadet Commissioning Training.

The Army offers a number of scholarship opportunities to Concordia University students enrolled in the ROTC program. There are two-year, three-year, and four-year active duty scholarships as well as two-year U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard scholarships available. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis by the Department of Military Science at Marquette University and can be applied to tuition expenses at Concordia University. In addition to the scholarships, all contracted students in the advanced course receive a $250-400 monthly stipend.

Prospective students interested in the Army ROTC program are encouraged to visit the Army ROTC website www.armyrotc.com, the Marquette Army ROTC website www.mu.edu/rotc/army/html, or contact our Enrollment and Scholarship Officer at Marquette University (414) 288-2046.