Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

at Global University Systems (GUS) - Concordia University Chicago USA

Our Bachelor of Arts in Spanish is a broad-basis baccalaureate program that satisfies career options and is excellent preparation for students interested in continuing education at the graduate level.

Our courses offer in-depth studies in areas such as Latin American cultures, Latin American literature, Spanish literature and more.

You will be able to communicate effectively in the Spanish language and have a greater understanding of Spanish and Latin American cultures, allowing you to excel in any career path in which you will use Spanish.

The Spanish major progresses from basic language skills to advanced courses in conversation, grammar, composition and linguistics. In addition, you will study masterpieces of Spanish and Latin literature and learn more about the diversity of cultures among Spanish speakers. Upon completion of the program, you will demonstrate proficiency in speaking, writing and reading Spanish, as well as a greater understanding of history and traditions associated with countries where Spanish is spoken.

Our courses prepare you for working in all forms of journalism, writing for a range of traditional and new media, and working with public relations and publishing.

Journalism has shifted significantly in the past few years to embrace the digital age. From traditional newspapers to magazines to broadcast outlets, more and more journalists rely on the Web, blogs, video and social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to gather information, report the news and engage with sources and audiences.

In this major, we train our future journalists how to research, write and craft stories for print or visual media and critically use the Internet and other new media platforms while applying traditional journalism practices and ethics. We will prepare you to fit into the ever–evolving media world.

Required courses cover the fundamentals of journalism. Creative courses in photojournalism, magazine writing and feature writing will further build upon your skills. You may also choose electives in television production, desktop publishing, graphic design, public relations and more.

Concordia University Chicago's MBA specialization in digital marketing provides you with the strategic and analytical skills to guide organizations in a digital world that is overflowing with data on customers, products, and interactions. The four courses within this specialization are designed to help you understand digital marketing strategy and planning, mobile marketing and social media strategies as well as digital marketing analytics. Your organizations are demanding that you understand important and appropriate digital metrics and how to use them to analyze and improve digital marketing initiatives and marketing ROI. Graduates will successfully champion digital marketing campaigns while achieving their organization’s growth initiatives.

Specialization Outcomes

• Synthesize concepts from various business disciplines to develop effective digital marketing strategies and strategic plans.
• Develop a refined management and leadership framework to evaluate ethical issues in digital marketing and social media strategies.
• Understand current developments in social media, the potential impact on marketing strategies, and selection of appropriate information technologies to develop business solutions and improve performance.
• Integrate a global interconnectedness perspective into a business philosophy and practice.

The program helps students develop awareness of how communication practices impact individuals and society

We emphasize ethics and our classes seek to have students identify how their work impacts the world around them.

In addition to preparing students for an array of jobs, the Department of Communication prepares students for continuing graduate education. Across the majors students acquire strong research, writing, and analytical skills.

Based near downtown Chicago, our program places students in dynamic internships which provide them with learning experiences integral to future job placement.

When taking courses from our Communication Major, students will take a core set of courses and then choose an area of specialization relevant to their career paths.

The three specializations in the department are:

• Human Communication and Culture
• Media
• Strategic Communication

Additionally we have a Journalism major.
As a student at Concordia-Chicago, you will never sit in a lecture hall with hundreds of students. Our classes are taught by experienced professionals who are willing to assist you throughout your education process. Your professors will know you on an individual basis and will be available to address any concerns you may have. The Communication faculty is dedicated to preparing you for your role in communication.

Our bachelor of arts degree in Social Work provides a curriculum and learning environment that is accessible to a broad diversity of students, who will make important and unique contributions in their service to clients, communities and the profession-at-large.

Graduating social work students are prepared to enter the profession in various positions and employment settings. They are also prepared to continue their education at the graduate level with a master’s degree in social work.

The full-time social work faculty members have doctorates in social work, and many years of clinical practice experience in the field. This enables them to connect theory and practice in the classroom by utilizing real-life examples. Social work courses are small with much individual attention and one-on-one interaction with your professors.

The social work degree and field experience will prepare you to work immediately after graduation. Many graduates find employment with the agency where they complete their field experience. If you plan a career in social work, we highly recommend that you complete the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Concordia students have attended graduate school at well-regarded institutions such as Washington University (St. Louis); University of Chicago; University of Illinois; Loyola University; University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan.

Our program provides you with a solid foundation in which you will build your critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills, and apply these skills to psychology. You will develop an understanding of the different types of psychology and theories behind them.

Today, psychologists are increasingly concentrating on behaviors that affect the mental and emotional health and mental processes of healthy human beings. For example, they work with business executives, performers and athletes to combat stress and improve performance. They advise lawyers on jury selection and collaborate with educators on school reform. They show up immediately following a disaster such as a plane crash or bombing, to help victims and bystanders recover from the trauma or shock of the event.

The required courses in the major will provide you with a strong foundation in psychology. Courses such as development, statistics and research will acquaint you with the field, while preparing you for courses like social psychology, abnormal psychology and neuropsychology.

The electives in the psychology department will help you refine your interests and skills. Students wishing to pursue a career in the helping professions can take courses such as Group Dynamics and Leadership Skills, Community Psychology, and Behavior Assessment and Management. Students who wish to prepare for continued scholarly work in the psychological sciences will be encouraged to take classes like Cognitive Psychology, History and Systems and Cross-Cultural Psychology.

You will also choose a capstone experience from either an internship in psychology or senior seminar in psychology. Through the seminar you will discuss current topics in psychology, career planning and the role of psychology in today’s society.

We offer rigorous but flexible degree programs that build students’ critical knowledge of business and sports issues.

Our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing students with a well-rounded learning experience by using the latest technology and engaging classes with real-world business scenarios and hands-on learning exercises.

Graduates with sports management degrees find career positions as athletic directors, team managers, account executives, talent scouts and more.

Concordia University Chicago's MBA specialization in leadership and change management will build the business fundamentals you need to advance your career while focusing on leading people and organizations. The courses are designed to help students understand the value of an array of leadership theories, the intercultural impact of leadership practice, and the intricacies of facilitating strategic change. Students develop servant leadership, interpersonal, and influencing skills to effectively shape group change. Graduates will successfully champion systemic change while achieving their organization’s mission.

Specialization Outcomes

• Correlate and critique global mentoring, training, and coaching practices to specific organizational leadership challenges and the impact on the business and stakeholders.
• Examine and evaluate transformational leadership strategies and techniques to promote capacity, sustainability, and renewal at all levels of the organization.
• Explore and evaluate how leadership styles impact global face-to-face and virtual organizations through effective use of communication and technology to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Analyze and synthesize descriptions and conditions for diagnosing organizational change culture, agenda, processes, and practices providing management the guidance to execute and lead organizational change.
• Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology to make and evaluate data driven decisions.

As a student in Classical Liberal Studies, you will be challenged to make connections between history and modernity.

Through rigorous study, you will apply classical concepts in a contemporary setting to address the needs of the 21st century church and world. You will draw on the strength of a broad variety of Concordia University Chicago’s programs, including music, theology and languages, as well as the quality of worship life on campus.

In this unique program, you will work with faculty who are respected and recognized throughout the Church as well as nationally in their fields of study. Your studies will span several departments—from courses in Latin and Greek to courses on Shakespeare, and from modern European history to ethical theory.

A Classical Liberal Studies minor is also available to complement other Concordia University Chicago undergraduate degrees.

If you are interested in advancing your career and obtaining a management position within a health care-related organization, an MBA specialization in health care management will help get you there.

This specialization addresses the unique attributes of health care organizations. Students are prepared to take on leadership roles and address specific managerial issues encountered in today’s health care economy. Students will develop critical thinking and fundamental business analysis skills. They will leave this specialization proficient at problem solving the operational and financial challenges that health care administrators face.

Specialization Outcomes

• Understand and analyze accreditation, regulatory, licensure, and compliance issues as they relates specifically to the healthcare industry.
• Apply and assess the economic supply and demand aspects of the healthcare service delivery model(s) and the impact on the organization and stakeholders.
• Identify and evaluate the major causes of global healthcare delivery, financial, management and political challenges and develop strategies to improve the delivery of  healthcare policy and services.
• Apply understanding of diversity, economic, ethical, and fiscal perspectives to healthcare management decision making aligned to healthcare reform initiatives and policy formation as it impacts the business and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology to make and evaluate data driven decisions.