Bachelor of Science in Actuarial and Data Sciences

at Concordia University Wisconsin USA

In this program, you will study anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection, and basic patient care. As is fairly evident from the above sentence, we take both patient and medical personnel safety very seriously. You’ll grow confident in your abilities as you learn from some of the best faculty and professionals in the field.

This CUW bachelor degree is a Two plus Two program, in which you spend the first two years on Concordia’s campus taking prerequisite classes prior to entry into the Radiologic Technology (RT) program. You’ll then apply for the next phase that consists of didactic courses and clinical experience with our partner clinical affiliations. It is worth noting that this is a competitive program, so acceptance is not guaranteed. To improve your chances, we’d like to encourage you to demonstrate exemplary grades, prior health care experience, and job shadow hours.

Because the pre-professional curriculum requires about 67 credits (17 credits per semester if taken in 4 semesters), we highly recommend using winterim and summer breaks to fulfill course requirements. Once you are accepted, the more advanced work begins. At first, you are going to spend most of your time in the classroom and scan laboratory, with less time in clinicals. This is to provide you with the theories and principles to ground you before applying them in a real-world environment. Gradually, your classroom time will be reduced as your clinical component increases. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning at one of our partner clinics including Aurora, Wheaton Franciscan, and Froedtert Health systems.
With this degree, you will be a key part of the health care field by safely creating images needed to check for bone fractures, blocked blood vessels, abnormal growths in breast tissue, brain tumors, and so much more. Upon graduation, you will be ready to find a rewarding career in a variety of settings. Alumni have gone on to work in hospitals, physician's’ offices, medical and diagnostic labs, do research, administration, education, and so much more!

The art education program is designed to provide you with a challenging course of study that will focus on art to enhance your intellectual development, personal growth, and career satisfaction. You will develop your own abilities as an artist and then learn how to help others create and appreciate art. This means, you’ll benefit from a well-rounded overview of the history, purpose, and technical methods of art.

If you don’t have a teaching license, don’t worry. You do not need to have one in order to participate in this program. If you are interested in working with children, their families, and at-risk youth then this program will provide valuable education for you. However, if you have (or are pursuing) your teaching license, then upon completion of the program, you’ll have the option to seek an additional license in art (#1952).

As an educator, you will learn to better understand the role of artistic activity in the human condition, possess an advanced knowledge of art curricula and pedagogy, demonstrate a high level of competence with visual arts media, and be aware of past and current practices in the the field. Our priority is to provide you with the theories that then inform your educational practices. For example, you’ll study how to use works of art, museum visits, and technology to enhance your students’ education.

The theology major or minor gives you a strong understanding of the Christian faith that will support you in your chosen vocation. As a university of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), our courses are taught in accord with the Lutheran Confessions. The theology program is not intended to stand alone. Rather, it is intended primarily for those of you who are preparing for certification as professional church workers such as Lutheran School Teachers or Directors of Church Ministries (DCM). (That is why the internship is specific to your track.) If you aren’t interested in the education or church ministries routes, we highly recommend checking out the Christian Thought program.

You can expect to benefit from a well-rounded study of biblical and systematic theology, along with the application of that theology in your life within the Christian Church. You’ll  join renowned scholars  as you delve into the Old and New Testaments, systematic doctrine, and practical theology (teaching and worship). We offer many theology electives, so you can explore and grow in the particular areas that interest you.

Our traditional undergraduate program in Healthcare Administration will prepare you for roles that may manage a department and/or a healthcare facility. As someone who may have interest in healthcare, but not necessarily direct patient care this may be the degree for you. Through your courses, you will be exposed to business management, finance, human resources, marketing, and more.

In addition, this program will equip you with the ability to evaluate research results that are applicable to your healthcare practice, and teach you how to create a reflective self-plan for personal and professional growth. You’ll discover an ability to recognize and analyze current trends and issues related to healthcare management, which will help you grow throughout your career.

Our graduates go on to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical groups, medical device or pharmaceutical companies, other clinical settings and even insurance companies. You will be prepared with organizational, managerial, and leadership skills to lead a team. As well as, critical thinking and analytical skills to adequately assist, support, and lead among different areas in healthcare.
There are so many intricacies to working in the complex field of healthcare. This program focuses primarily on managing resources in a healthcare setting while working with others in the field of healthcare. It all starts with your ability to recognize every individual as a holistic being created by God – someone whose dignity, worth, and rights deserve to be respected and upheld.

This program will help you grow adept at analyzing different healthcare systems. You’ll grow an ability to synthesize knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and management theories as a basis for problem-solving and decision-making. You will be expected to display a willingness to work cohesively and communicate with members of the interdisciplinary healthcare network.

As a student in this program, you will be required to complete an internship and have opportunity to work in our new collaborative Speech-Language Pathology Clinic in the Robert W. Plaster Building (on campus). During this time, you will collaborate with other practitioners, clinicians, administrators, and patients to gain invaluable experience without having to go beyond the CUW campus.

Additionally, you are encouraged to participate in the – Next Generation Healthcare Leaders (NGHL), a student healthcare group supported by the Wisconsin Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). This will also provide accelerated opportunities for networking and access to local, state, and national healthcare leaders and decision makers to assist our aspiring students who are committed to a career in healthcare.

You’ll be taking 25 credits of required coursework to give you a firm basis in drawing, color, design, art history, and aesthetics (the stuff that everyone who is serious about art needs to be aware of). But after that, you get to choose what aspects of art to focus on. We’ve got plenty of options to pick from and you’ve got 15 credits worth of courses to fill with whatever 2D or 3D electives inspire you!

By the time you finish this program you’ll have refined your artistic skills creating original designs, manipulating imagery, and applying design principles to visual communication. As you develop your unique artistic style, you will have a clearer understanding of how your artistic talents make a difference in the world. You will have an opportunity to showcase your work with an exhibit in the CUW Art Gallery and to assemble a professional portfolio highlighting the best of your work.

Let’s talk about the long term. Upon graduation you’ll have acquired the skills and knowledge and a year of practice experience to immediately enter into generalist professional practice. So, how do you get there? Everything that you learn will be centered around the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) nine competencies. They include: demonstrating professional behavior, advancing human rights, using practice-informed research and research-informed practice, and engaging with a diverse range of people.

What makes us unique? Simple. Our philosophy of education. We believe that Christian service, quality research, and hands-on learning are the best ingredients for your growth as a competent professional. You’ll learn comprehensive methods in providing support and counsel to individuals, families, and groups, communities and organizations in need.
The primary mission of the CUW social work program is to prepare graduates for baccalaureate level, generalist, social work practice, within the context of faith, service and social justice.  To fulfill this mission, the CUW Social Work program is based on CSWE’s nine competencies:

• Demonstrate Ethical & Professional Behavior
• Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
• Engage in Policy Practice
• Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
• Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Our goal in the Master of Occupational Therapy program is to prepare you as an outstanding occupational therapist, who will positively impact communities by empowering others to reach their highest potential through leadership, best practice, advocacy, and innovation. We emphasize the importance of serving all clients with the best care possible.

You’ll develop the skills necessary to enable people (persons, groups, or populations) to do their day-to-day occupations for the purpose of improving or enabling participation. (OTPF-4, 2020) By combining classroom, laboratory, and supervised clinic-based instruction, our courses train you for a wide range of occupational therapy settings.

Through our program you’ll be able to:

• Demonstrate advocacy skills to be an effective change-maker in surrounding communities
• Use best practice for the evaluation, intervention, and measurement of outcomes for individuals or communities
• Effectively and efficiently solve occupation-based problems
• Develop leadership skills
• Effectively communicate and collaborate in a variety of communities

Students in the MOT program will have the opportunity to explore the entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTDe) degree. At the conclusion of the second semester, students will be given the choice to continue in the MOT program or declare interest in the OTDe program. Students who declare interest in the OTDe will be evaluated by OT faculty to determine eligibility to enroll in OTDe coursework.

This is a full time graduate professional program taught in a blended format. Students interact with their classmates and professors online before and after in person classes, which focus on active learning and/or lab activities. Students apply to and enroll in one of three tracks, as determined by their educational background:

• Accelerated
  • Students starting as a freshman at CUW looking to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in 4.5 years
• Bridge
  • COTAs looking to further their education and opportunities as an OTR
• Post-baccalaureate
  • Applicants holding a bachelor's degree

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 will help you develop your understanding of major events and themes across the eras. You’ll learn about global history and the philosophy of history, and you’ll gain the skills necessary to read, write, speak of, and teach about history. From ancient civilizations to modern Europe, from Asia to America, from politics to economics, from the history of warfare to the history of food, clothing and sports, studying the past helps us to learn about human nature and thus, ourselves. Is there a particular aspect of history that interests you? As a CUW history student, you’ll get to choose an area of emphasis in American, European, or Global history - so you can focus on what you’re passionate about.

Studying history involves more than reading books.  Your learning will revolve around a process that is applicable in many other fields. You’ll start by locating, evaluating, and organizing historical information. Once you have digested the content and various views, you can begin to develop the historical information into written or oral form. Through this repeated procedure, you develop your ability to summarize, analyze, organize, and synthesize texts from a variety of sources. Wherever your career takes you, you’ll be able to use this process to research, understand and analyze information to make important decisions and gain new insights.

More and more, actuaries use data analytics to help assess risk and inform policy. Concordia's new Actuarial & Data Sciences major meets the market's demands by preparing students with current, relevant knowledge and skills in both actuarial science and data analytics.

Actuarial science is an intense field, and will require a sharp, analytical mind, coupled with hard work and dedication to pass the certification exams and practice as an actuary. But it is a rewarding field, and in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay is over $110K, and the demand for actuaries is expected to increase 24% by 2030.

Actuaries assess risk to help make wise decisions for their organizations. Most actuaries work in insurance, but they can also work in finance, healthcare administration, wealth management, and any other industry where predictions and decisions must be made to mitigate risk.

Like all industries, the actuarial science profession is constantly changing to adapt to new technologies. With the computing capabilities that we now have, actuaries are increasingly dependent on data science and analytics. In 2021, the Society of Actuaries announced a change in their Associate of the SOA (ASA) education requirements, including an updated curriculum designed to meet employer and market demands for increased coverage of data analytics.

Concordia's new actuarial and data sciences major couples proven actuarial science methodologies with cutting edge data science technologies to thoroughly prepare tomorrow's actuaries with the skills needed to assess risk in the modern world.