Bachelor of Arts in Art

at Concordia University Wisconsin USA

You have the vision and ambition to create beautiful and meaningful photographs that communicate your vision to the world. Our program will help you define your fields of interest, sharpen your visual as well as technical skills, and to build a professional portfolio. Concordia’s photography major prepares you for the world ahead with the skills and awareness to pursue your chosen future.

The Photography Major is part of a comprehensive curriculum at Concordia intended to develop your professional skills as well as spiritual and intellectual values. Your classes outside your major at CUW will provide you with a well-rounded bachelor’s degree, and your study of photography will include a chosen minor in perhaps Marketing, Business, English, or Graphic Design to help you build the necessary skills for a successful career in photography. Your major courses will be supplemented by internship opportunities that will give each student professional experiences, and enhance your preparation for the professional world.

A degree in Photography can lead to a variety of careers, including fine art, commercial photography, journalism, editing, education and research, museum and online curation, art direction, marketing, storytelling, and more. We encourage students to develop their own professional techniques and style. You’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of the craft of photography using Concordia’s digital facilities to develop contemporary skills, and darkroom facilities to understand and explore historical processes.

Classes outside your major will consist of the liberal arts core curriculum, your selected minor, and foundational studio art courses. In the Photography Major you will study photographic composition, camera usage, studio and natural lighting, editing, digital technologies, contemporary marketing practices, portfolio development, image presentation, and develop the ability to photograph a wide array of subject matter with personal intent and professional standards.

To be successful within this program, you must possess an exceptional drawing ability. Because we want you to have every opportunity to develop your skills, CUW has partnered with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to create the illustration bachelor’s degree. Your 18 credits that take place at MIAD allow you to use the very latest in illustration concepts and technologies. Most of your classes (all core requirements, over half major requirements, and your minor) will be taught right on the CUW campus. You will experiment with both digital and physical illustration mediums to develop your own unique illustration style. Because aspiring illustrators need to distinguish themselves in the workplace, we recommend choosing a compatible minor in business or marketing.

Illustration is a very competitive field, demanding excellent drawing skills and the ability to produce images quickly and meet firm deadlines. You can anticipate this same rigour during your time as a student. Faculty will expect you to spend a substantial amount of each day on observational drawing to improve your technical abilities. A great deal of patience, self-discipline, and dedication will be asked of you. Upon graduation, you will be well-equipped to create both physical and digital drawings for books, magazines, websites, and other media.

During your time at CUW, you’ll have the opportunity to study ecology, explore the outdoors, and learn how humans affect the natural world. The environmental studies program combines coursework in biological, physical, and earth sciences as well with environmental law and ethics. A variety of elective courses such as ornithology, astronomy, meteorology, and environmental policy is available. Many courses in this major will be taken at the Concordia Center for Environmental Stewardship, which is a state-of-the-art learning and research facility on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan committed to the practice of Christian environmental stewardship. Plus, you’ll have the benefit of professors who approach this discipline from a Christian perspective and who understand the responsibility we all have balance our care for humankind with our care for the environment and the rest of creation.

As an environmental studies major, you’ll develop a strong scientific foundation by studying a variety of topics in natural science including biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. You’ll also develop a strong foundation in the liberal arts by taking courses related to your major such as environmental law, environmental ethics, or environmental policy. One of the most exciting opportunities awaiting you is to study tropical ecology and then travel to the Caribbean to see these amazing ecosystems firsthand. In addition to your major, you will be required to complete the CUW liberal arts core and a minor, and you can choose from a variety of elective courses and complementary minors. Completing a minor in fields such as art, business, justice and public policy, or chemistry can allow you to specialize in the area that best fits your personal career goals.

This program isn’t all ones and zeroes, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s actually a three-part curriculum that starts with a liberal arts core, moves on to lay a solid foundation in general business, and then offers specialized focus in finance. From accounting to economics and statistics, you’ll set the groundwork for a wide array of financial and business management topics. We’re talking the time value of money, interest rates, financial statements, capital allocation, stocks, bonds, derivatives, economic policy, international trade, foreign currency, regulation, and many others.

At the end of this program, you will know the ins and outs of business commerce you can apply all around the world. You will learn all levels of finance such as corporate and international and fundamental financial management and valuation principles. When you join the workforce you’ll be confident in commercial banking, financial markets, and monetary and fiscal policy.

Think you have what it takes to start your own business? If you answered yes to that question, you’re probably right! So you fuel your heart, we’ll fuel your mind, and together we’ll form you into somebody who’s ready to trailblaze a path for yourself.
Entrepreneurship is characterized by creativity and innovation, your ability to take risks, to experiment, to adapt, to learn from failure. You must be able to challenge yourself, and to solve problems from multiple perspectives. This major will inspire you to positively engage and serve the culture by creating new avenues for opportunity, vocation, innovation, and social improvement. You’ll learn how to identify certain needs that present themselves in today’s culture, the Church, and the world, then how to respond to those needs in a way that aligns with your Christian values. You’ll learn how to be a servant leader in all your endeavors, and how to build a culture of life, addressing the world’s social and ethical problems.  

Before you take the plunge and dive headfirst into your own upstart, you’ll toe the water with the courses in this program. An important first step for any entrepreneur is to develop and grow a network of individuals, organizations, and professionals. You’ll do that as part of this major. You’ll also develop – and be expected to display – knowledge and skills related to innovation, creativity, problem-solving, perseverance, and adaptability. You’ll ideate and identify emerging markets, trends, problems, and challenges, while learning how to articulate a vision for and commitment to ethical business practice in the education sector.

Technology is a huge benefit to entrepreneurs these days – you can expect to demonstrate competence in leveraging technology in market research and identification. Same goes for adaptability and “pivot-ability.” (You’ll also learn that the world of business is filled with words like pivot-ability.) This program will help you develop a business model, prototype an idea for a business or service, create and develop a business plan, and start or participate in starting a company/new business venture. Because why wait until you graduate to give it a go?

In the psychology program, you’ll study the biological and psychological influences on the human mind. What makes our program unique? At CUW, our courses are grounded in science, ethical research, and Christian service. This translates to a holistic approach toward learning in which you first build up your knowledge in the classroom and then apply it in supervised, practical experience at local agencies and institutions. Toward the end of your studies (typically during your junior year), you’ll apply for senior status. Once approved, you can then enroll in Practicum, Research Proposal, and Senior Seminar. By the time you graduate, you’ll possess the skills and knowledge needed for graduate studies or to pursue a helping profession.  This program is also available as a minor.

During your time here, you’ll be introduced to topics like theories of personality, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, and human behavior. Through it all, we’ll help you become familiar with the procedures, principles, theories, and vocabulary of psychology. This gives you the tools necessary for success. Each psychology class builds on and enhances the others. For example, learning about the developmental stages from conception to death is relevant when studying how individual preferences and worldviews are shaped. Similarly, properly interpreting research is key to using current therapy approaches in treating behavioral disorders. Outside of the classroom, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in numerous service endeavors in the community - so you can start making a positive impact before you frame that diploma.

By the end of the program, you’ll not only have a deep understanding of theories in psychology, you’ll have hands-on experience from your practicum and service learning efforts. You’ll be a stronger leader, a better writer and communicator, and a strategic problem solver. Whether you decide to go into counseling, clinical psychology, research, academia or another exciting profession, you’ll be prepared to change other’s lives for the better.

Welcome to the world of technology, advancement, and innovation. You are going to be creating the future. Don’t believe us? Computer scientists are instrumental to anything and everything that involves computers. And let’s be honest, pretty much everything today involves computers. Robotics, virtual reality, and videogames are often cited as future job areas, but you could also be a part of many other fields—animation, music, automobiles, analytics…the list goes on.

What comes to mind when you think of computer science? In our modern world, there are decreasingly fewer things that don't rely on computers and technology in some shape or form, making computer science one of the most practical and versatile fields of study out there. At Concordia, we define computer science as solving problems using technology. If you can learn to create and manage technology solutions, you can apply your skills to just about any career path.

With five different concentrations available and substantial flexibility in electives, you have the power to customize this degree and make it your own. In this program, you'll receive a well-rounded education through the Concordia Core, as well as a firm foundation of computer science knowledge through our Technology Core. You'll learn the ins and outs of hardware, software, operating systems, databases, coding, and user interfaces. From there, you can branch out into one or more concentrations of computer science, specializing in the areas that are of most interest to you. You can use your electives to earn multiple concentrations, or to explore coursework in any other field at Concordia, broadening your knowledge base.

If you are ready to have a positive impact in your community and the world—perhaps a degree in public service is the right fit. You emerge with analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and go on to practice in organizations fostering service and commitment to serve local, national and international organizations.
This concentration emphasizes skills needed to inform your interests and expertise needed to lead justice-related organizations, namely corrections, courts, justice administration, law enforcement, and probation/parole.

• Criminal Justice Research Methods
• Forensic Investigation
• Management of Public Service Agencies
• Criminal Justice Liability Law

If you’re going to be a defender of the law, it’s probably a good idea you study up on ethics. You’ll get plenty of that in this program, taking a look at ethical decision-making by criminal justice workers. You’ll also gain an introduction to a wide variety of other topics, like criminal psychology, as well as public policy and its effect on the American court and criminal justice system. You’ll have an opportunity to understand criminal investigation processes like interviewing, crime scene analysis, and collection of evidence. (Hint: CSI: Miami had it all wrong. Now, COPS, on the other hand …) You’ll study the law as it relates to arrests, searches, and seizures by law enforcement, probation and parole officers, and corrections officials. You’ll even study the rules of evidence and courtroom procedures.
There may not be a bat signal at the end of this program, but you’ll be thoroughly prepared for a career in court administration, security management, custodial and community-based corrections, intelligence operations, or investigations. Or maybe you’ll be more interested in municipal, state, or federal law enforcement. Or maybe state or federal probation and parole. Who knows? You could even use this degree as a good launching point for a bid at law school! Point is, you can expect this program to help you explore the incredibly exciting study of the courts, crime causation, criminal law, public policy, and the justice system.

The Biblical Studies program lays out a good foundation for further work not only in the LCMS but for all Christian denominations. This program offers classes that all Christian students can be prepared for church work or simply because they want to know more about the Bible and the God who is revealed in it. At the same time, this is a great program for Lutheran students who want to focus on the Bible itself.

With this program, students will explain and analyze the basic tenets of the Christian faith and will apply the Christian worldview and doctrines to current situations (personal, professional, and societal) and to historical problems and situations.

Biblical Studies graduates can expect to:

• Develop an understanding of the origin of the Bible, recognize the unique qualities of God's word, appreciate the varied yet unified content of the Old and New Testaments, and use sound principles in interpreting Scripture.
• Recognize the Bible as the authoritative source for knowledge of God and humankind, articulate key doctrines of the Christian faith, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, and apply the teachings of Scripture to the life of the individual.
• Develop an appreciation for how God has worked in history, recognize key figures and movements in the life of the Church, and identify the state of theology today.
• Grow in their relationship with Christ and put His teachings into practice in their vocations.
• Observe, assess, and interpret today's cultures and world views. Students will be familiar with various methods of delivering and defending biblical truth in a relevant and practical way to diverse groups.
• Demonstrate an understanding of research skills in the discipline.

Our public relations program will prepare you in this language of persuasion so that you can bring incredible value to your employer – whether you’re working in sports, entertainment, or media, or for a corporation, a non-profit organization, a lobbying group, or political campaign. Public relations has become trickier and trickier in our modern age with the rise of social media, which makes it an incredibly diverse and exciting field of study.

At the center of all public relations lies the skill of communications. Our public relations major focuses on building your communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills so you can always count on your fundamentals in this field. You’ve heard, “there’s no such thing as bad press,” haven’t you? Well, that’s only because public relations exists. And we prepare you to create crises response plans for product recalls and negative press so you can always be sure to stay out in front of potential catastrophe. What’s special about our program is that it combines skills and strategy with Christian ethics. It’s an exciting major that teaches you how to create and maintain a positive public image!
As we mentioned, social media has made this field incredibly dynamic, which is why we’ll help you master social media – especially when it comes to targeting audiences to engage in both corporate and personal branding. You’ll take a close look at certain major public relations cases that include political campaign strategy, how companies respond to negative events (such as the BP oil spill), and how to strategize new product launches (like the Nintendo Switch). You’ll also study non-profit and issue organizations like the World Wide Life Fund and Lutheran World Relief to get a glimpse into how public relations affects their world.

Throughout this program, you’ll create public relations plans that include journalism, social media, marketing, public speaking, radio, and promotion. The final capstone places you with organizations in need of a public relations plan, project, or strategy to provide experiential, real-world experience – because there’s no better way to learn than to actually step into the public relations role and perform. Our graduates have been hired by Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Boeing, Abbott Labs, and Kraft to help communicate company goals and new product launches.