Concordia University College of Alberta
Degree Requirements - 2009-2010 Academic Year
Four-Year Bachelor of Arts:
Religious Studies (Applied Emphasis) Major
The Director of Parish Services program educates dedicated Christians to fill an identified need within the church-at-large. Serving in team ministry with pastors, teachers, and the members of congregations, a Director of Parish Services brings to the church skills in youth and young adult ministry, visitation, outreach, and parish education.
To become a Director of Parish Services, you earn the 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies (Applied Emphasis) with a Religious Studies major and a Parish Services minor. To gain practical experience within a congregational setting, you participate in field work and, after graduation, serve a one-year internship to become certified as a Director of Parish Services.
In this specialized program you study the foundations of the Christian faith, learn to think critically about contemporary issues in the world and the church, explore the principles of visitation, outreach, parish education and youth/young adult ministry, and gain an excellent liberal arts education as you prepare for full-time work in the church. Once you become a Director of Parish Services, you play an integral role in service to Christ and the advancement of the Gospel.
Dr. Paul Schoepp, Director of Church Work Programs, is a good resource for more information about the 4-Year Religious Studies: Applied Emphasis degree program.
Core Requirements
Core Requirements
English/Writing: 9 credits
- ENG 100 or 110; and senior-level English or Writing
Religious Studies: 6 credits minimum
- REL 101 or 150; and at least 3 additional credits in Religious Studies
See also Religious Studies Residency Requirement, section 4.2.3 of the Concordia Calendar
Science: 6 credits
- Any courses listed as Faculty of Science in Course Descriptions, section 14.0 of the Concordia Calendar
Social Science: 6 credits
- Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology
Fine Arts: 3 credits
- Art History, Dance, Drama, or Music
Philosophy: 3 credits
- Any junior- or senior-level Philosophy course
Language Other Than English: 6 credits*
- French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Spanish, or Cree (NS 152). Courses used to fulfil this requirement may not also be used to fulfil the 30-level Language other than English General Academic Requirement (section A.13).
Note: There are two Language Other than English (LOE) requirements for the 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree: (1) a 30-level or equivalent LOE (e.g. French 30 or FR 102) and (2) the 6-credit LOE core requirement.
Major Requirements
Religious Studies (Applied Emphasis)
Director of Parish Services Program
The four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies with an Applied Emphasis prepares students to serve full-time within a church setting as a Director of Parish Services. Those interested in admission to this program should seek academic advice early in their studies to discuss course sequencing.
For continuation in the degree program, students must have achieved an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum GPA of 2.3 in courses presented for the Religious Studies major, a minimum GPA of 2.3 in courses presented for the Parish Services minor, and receive consent of the Director of Parish Services Selection committee.
For more information about the program and admission requirements, and to request application forms please contact Dr. Paul Schoepp, Director of Church Work Programs.
Applied Emphasis:45-60 credits required to include:
a) REL 101 and 102
b) REL 201 and 202
c) REL 248, 252, 253, 359, 373, 375 and 376
d) One of REL 330, 331, 333, or 334
e) One of REL 362, 364, 367 or 382
f) REL 490 and 499
g) 0-15 credits unspecified 300-level Religious Studies courses
Parish Services Minor
24 credits required to include:
h) EDPS 200
i) PS 288
j) PS 301
k) PS 302
l) PS 303
m) PS 304
n) PS 444
o) PS 445
In addition to the above courses students must complete:
p) PSY 324 or SOC 375
q) One of MUS 261, MUS 262, DRA 325, DRA 352, or SOC 261
r) PS 450
Note: To become certified as a Director of Parish Services by Lutheran Church-Canada, students must also complete PS 501 as the fifth year internship.
Sample Program
Below is a sample sequence of courses for your degree. Keep in mind that this is only an example; you may find that a different sequence works best for you.
| Fall Semester | Winter Semester | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ENG 100 or 110 LOE* EDPS 200 REL 101 Social Science (PSY 104†) |
ENG 100 or 110 LOE* PHIL REL 102 Social Science (PSY 105 † or SOC 100‡) |
| Year 2 | PS 288 PS 301 REL 248 REL 252 Science |
Fine Art (DRA 149, 3 credits of Music•) PS 302 PS 303 REL 359 Science |
| Year 3 | PSY 324† or SOC 375‡ PS 304 PS 450 REL 330, 331, 333, or 334 REL 373 |
DRA 325•, DRA 352, MUS 331•, MUS 332•, or SOC 361 ENG or WRI PS 450 REL 375 REL 499 |
| Year 4 | Senior Elective (see LOE above)* PS 444 REL 201 REL 376 REL 490 |
Senior Elective (See LOE above)* PS 445 REL 253 REL 202 REL 362, 364, 367, or 382 |
| Year 5 | PS 501 Internship |
|
† Indicates prerequisite planning for PSY 324
‡ Indicates prerequisite planning for SOC 375
• Indicates prerequisite planning for DRA 325, MUS 331, or MUS 332
*There are two Language Other than English (LOE) requirements for the 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree: (1) a 30-level or equivalent LOE (e.g., French 30 or FR 102) AND (2) the 6-credit LOE core requirement. Students who need to fulfil two LOE requirements are advised to take one LOE in the first year of study and the second LOE before the fourth year.
