This school appears in our ranking 15 Most Affordable Top Online Master's in Forensic Psychology Degree 2018.
Concordia University was founded in 1893 as a Christian school for men who intended to enter the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ministry. Initially, the school was Concordia High School and was located in temporary quarters. The following year, the school purchased a former training school for boys between Minneapolis and St. Paul.
During the Great Depression, Concordia almost closed due to low enrollment. Concordia remained open due to donations from congregants of the Synod and because faculty members agreed to work without pay. During World War II, enrollment increased, allowing the school to grow. Women were admitted in 1950 and the high school officially separated from the college in 1962. The school gained university status in 1996.
Today, Concordia St. Paul is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 100 best online undergraduate and graduate degrees and in the top 200 of the best online Master's in Business Administration programs. TheBestSchools.org ranks the school as the third best online college in Minnesota and Washington Monthly ranks Concordia as the number three college for adult learners.
Concordia St. Paul Accreditation Details
Concordia St. Paul is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has held that accreditation since 1959. Accreditation indicates that the school agrees to periodic review to determine that their programs meet the needs of students and employers. The school also agrees to improve any areas that the accrediting agency identifies during periodic evaluation. Many programs are accredited by industry-specific agencies and organizations as well.
Concordia St. Paul Application Requirements
First year students at Concordia St. Paul are those who have not earned college credit after graduating from high school. Students must apply online and submit official high school transcripts. Official SAT or ACT scores are also required and students who do not meet initial admissions criteria may be required to submit to a proctored writing sample or need to provide letters of recommendation.
Transfer students are those who have earned credit after high school graduation. They must complete an application and submit official transcripts from other colleges or universities they attended. Students who have less than 20 college credits must also submit high school transcripts. Graduate admissions vary depending on the program the student wishes to enter. Students should speak to an admissions counselor before applying.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition for Concordia St. Paul is $22,275 per year. Graduate tuition ranges from $395 to $810 per credit hour. Online and part-time undergraduate tuition is $420 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available, and 100 percent of incoming freshmen receive financial assistance at Concordia St. Paul. A typical financial aid package at Concordia includes institutional, state and federal grants based on student eligibility. Students may also qualify for work-study programs and may also apply for student loans to cover the cost of their education. Parents may choose to use PLUS loans if students need additional assistance with tuition.
Online Degrees Available
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership
Concordia St. Paul offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership that is available entirely online. The program is 36-credit hours that include courses designed to enhance professionalism and to prepare students for leadership opportunities. Within one year of graduation, 95 percent of graduates receive job offers and the average salary for program graduates is $57,736 annually. Students learn how to study society and behavior as well as how groups, cultures, organizations and social interactions impact human development. Students gain an understanding of what causes people to commit crimes and what they can do to mitigate criminal activity. The program is designed to move graduates into leadership roles beyond police and corrections. Students gain extensive knowledge in criminal investigation, forensics, security and emergency management. Graduates have found employment as forensic psychologists, criminal sociologists, criminal profilers and forensic examiners. The degree also prepares graduates for positions as corrections supervisors, detectives, police supervisors and directors of emergency management agencies.
Master of Arts in Family Science
The Master of Arts in Family Science at Concordia St. Paul prepares students to manage issues in society that can impact families. This may include economics, education, parenting, sexuality and gender. By considering the family unit, students are able to address societal problems like substance abuse, domestic violence, debt, child abuse and unemployment. The program is 36-credit hours and focuses on creating healthy families. Students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to help families succeed. Courses focus on parenting, family systems, the growth and development of children, communication and inter-family relationships. The program is approved by the National Council on Family Relations and graduates are qualified for Certified Family Life Educator designation. In order to be certified, students must do so before the third course in Family Science.
Master of Arts in Human Services – Forensic Behavioral Health
The Master of Arts in Human Services is an online program and is available with a concentration in Forensic Behavioral Health. The program is offered in partnership with the Advancement of Forensic Studies. The program is 36-credit hours and includes a focus on the relationship between behavioral health, criminal justice and the legal system. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of forensic behavioral health. Students gain an understanding of the historical overview and role of human service across diverse settings. They also learn some of the reasons individuals commit crimes and the impact those crimes may have on families, communities and victims. Students gain an understanding of limitations facing individuals in the criminal justice system as well as how the behavioral health care system can provide assistance. Students learn interventions designed to address criminal behavior as well as techniques designed to prevent such activity. Communication skills are also enhanced as are problem-solving strategies and skills necessary for credible testimony in a courtroom. Statistics indicate that 44 percent of Concordia St. Paul graduates earn more than the national average in their industry.
Concordia St. Paul offers many online programs that are designed with the working adult in mind. The programs are offered in a flexible format that allows those with work and family obligations to achieve their higher education goals. At Concordia St. Paul, students are able to earn advanced degrees that will allow them to move into a new career or advance in a current career.