Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy

at Concordia University, St. Paul USA

The public relations major provides students with the concepts, skills, and expertise needed to help organizations build mutually beneficial relationships with the diverse public. The knowledge and tools students develop through the P R curriculum prepare students in fields such as corporate communication, social media, government affairs, and public relations firms. The professional internship experience, coupled with graduate and elective coursework, provide opportunities for students to practice and refine their skills.

Concordia’s Criminal Justice programs offer students a comprehensive educational foundation of the multi-systemic criminal justice system. Through the program, students will explore alluring issues of crime and justice that critically impact the perspectives of interrelationships, functions, and operations within the dynamic components related to human behavior, cultural aspects, and global controversies.They will also gain a deeper understanding of patterns and behavioral causation of crime, ethical decision making, balancing crime control with civil liberty preservation, and the mounting importance of security and safety.

The Criminal Justice program is designed for students who desire to enter or are newly entering a Criminal Justice System (CJS) profession and those already established seeking long-term career aspirations. The course content is an overarching view of the multi-systemic CJS highlighting foundational and evolving changes, current research trends, professionalism, ethics, creative decision-making, and leadership development as central themes throughout the program.
This program offers students the opportunity to explore their criminal justice interests and develop leadership aptitude while building valuable, career-ready, and promotable skillsets upon graduation. The CJ-BA Program has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academic licensure requirements, and continuing education (CE) credits toward annual licensure requirements.

This intensive 80 credit program is designed to prepare students at the highest level for creative professions like graphic design and other communications-related fields that rely on visual imagery. Students will gain an understanding of design theories and practices related to production in all areas of graphic design for traditional and emerging digital formats. The addition of substantial advanced studio, theory, and contextual work beyond the BA means that upon completion of the program students will understand professional level craft, theory, process, and technical skills, and an ability to produce thoughtful and informed work in such areas as institutional branding and identity, new media, web development and interactivity, package design, publication design, advertising, illustration, signage and exhibition design, sustainability, spirituality, and social change.

This program is designed to prepare students for service in a ministry setting (with an option for certification as a Director of Christian Education or Outreach for LCMS students). Students will gain an understanding of Christian and Lutheran doctrine, beliefs, teachings, history, practices, ethics, church organization and strategy, vocation, and outreach. Upon completion of this program, students will recognize their personal identity in Christ, the broader ministry of the Gospel, and their philosophy of ministry.

The Sport Psychology major focuses on current psychology and kinesiology applications as foundational concepts in sport psychology. Students learn sport and psychological theory and have numerous opportunities to bridge theory into practical applications. This degree prepares students for careers in injury rehabilitation, fitness/wellness centers, coaching, and health and wellness education. The program also serves as preparation for post-baccalaureate study in areas such as sport psychology and sport management.

The 36-hour Master of Science in Information Technology Management program is designed for IT workers seeking to advance a career in information technology and/or individuals seeking to deepen their business and IT management skills and knowledge. Students will learn to be effective leaders within the technology environment and gain a firm understanding of how to grow and manage resources in a responsible and ethical manner.

The M.S. in Information Technology Management program prepares students with the business leadership skills needed to successfully lead teams in the information technology workplace. Integrating business management and technical skill development, the coursework prepares graduates with in-demand skills and competencies. Through experience-based learning, students critically explore and apply leadership theory, business strategy, data analytics, information security, project management, IT innovation and ethics.

Depending on their career goals, math majors can choose to earn a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics at Concordia University, St. Paul. In earning either degree, students will develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary for today’s technological world.  The BS degree is more credits and offers students more opportunities to explore math applications within the math major, while the BA degree is fewer credits and is designed to be paired with a minor or a second major such as secondary education, computer science, business, science, or a variety of other possibilities.  All of the courses in the math major are offered face-to-­face in small classes (usually less than 20 students) and the emphasis is on actively solving problems in class. Throughout the curriculum, students will learn to use technology, including computer algebra systems, geometry modeling software, spreadsheets, 3D printers, and computer programming to model and solve problems. In some courses students investigate topics and learn to present their ideas professionally.  Some of these topics lead to independent research projects that students can present at undergraduate research conferences and help the students earn honors in the major. There is also an active Tri-Pi math club that offers social events to build comradery amongst the math students. Our math majors have followed a wide variety of career paths and are currently working as data analysts, risk analysts, inventory analysts, high school teachers, college professors, statisticians, health professionals, lawyers, and researchers.  Instead of asking “What can I do with a math major?”, you should ask yourself “What can’t I do with a math major?”

Students in the Music major expand their creativity, analytical, research and writing skills while studying music performance, programming, analysis, composition, history, literature, education and worship music. The music program is led by accomplished and caring faculty who give one-on-one attention to students in a nurturing community.  With the support of CSP's deeply networked music faculty, students in this major are provided opportunities to ply their craft in music positions at churches, internships with local music organizations, and professional workshops.  The culmination of the major is a senior year public presentation of the student's work, in which the student plans, prepares, promotes, and presents a recital of their work.  The major prepares students for graduate work in music or other fields and employment as entry level music performers, composers, and private teachers.  The program also provides students with the communication skills, collaborative aptitude, creativity, organizational ability, and work ethic to succeed in a broad range of fields beyond music, while providing them with a lifelong outlet for joyful aesthetic expression.

Students in Sport Communication are introduced to a variety of communication focused career opportunities in the sports industry. Students will gain valuable skills in sports public relations campaigns, social media outreach for sports teams, as well as in working with specialty sports agencies and planning sports events for organizations. Careers in sport communication are varied.  Existing opportunities in sport communication include coaching/managing teams, event management and marketing, sports venue management, public relations representative, service and marketing coordination, digital and print media specialist, education, and recreation management.