Admissions Requirements & Checklists
Click on the degree level below to learn more about admission requirements and the steps to apply. If you’re an international student please note you have additional steps to complete, which can be found in the international students tab.
Graduate Certification Admission Requirements
- A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent non-U.S. degree
- To be considered for Full Admission at Concordia University, candidates must present a cumulative GPA above 2.85 or will have earned a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- To be considered for Provisional Admission, candidates must present credentials that generally satisfy full admission requirements, but need to satisfy additional admission requirements such as special program prerequisites
- All admission requirements must be satisfied by the end of the candidate’s first enrolled semester in the program. Provisional Admission is only available to U.S. residents and citizens
- For students to be considered for Probationary Admission, one or more of the following special conditions may exist: 1) a cumulative GPA between 2.25 and 2.84 (on a 4.0 scale); 2) holding a master’s degree with a cumulative GPA below 3.0; 3) credentials/documents that raise cause for reservation of admission. Students admitted on probationary status must earn a 3.0 GPA in graduate course work within their first semester of enrollment to continue in the program.
Steps to Apply
Step 1: Application for Graduate Certificate Admission
Step 2: Official Transcripts and Documents
Arrange for all official, sealed academic transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned to be sent to Concordia University Chicago. For transcript review questions, contact the Program Coordinator directly at (708) 888-2031. Any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia approved international credentialing service, such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators).
Please email official electronic transcripts to Grad.Admission@CUChicago.edu.
Please mail transcripts to:
Concordia University Chicago
Office of Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Addison Hall 160
7400 Augusta St.
River Forest, IL 60305-1499
Step 3: Financial Aid
Apply for financial aid and/or make arrangements for payment. You will need to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is in your best interest to complete the financial aid process as early as possible. For assistance, call Concordia University financial aid help-line at (708) 209-3347. Concordia University Chicago’s School Code is 001666.
Step 4: Objective Statement
The objective statement should briefly explain your background and why you want to pursue your program. The statement should be no longer than one page. Please email objective statements to gero@cuchicago.edu, or you can fax it to (708) 777-4773.
Step 5: Letters of Recommendation
Please arrange for two letters of recommendation to be completed and returned to Concordia University Chicago. The letters may be written by anyone who can speak to your likelihood of success in your program, excluding immediate family members. Please email letters of recommendation to gero@cuchicago.edu, or you can fax them to (708) 777-4773.
Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
- A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent non-U.S. degree
- To be considered for Full Admission at Concordia University, candidates must present a cumulative GPA above 2.85 or will have earned a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- To be considered for Provisional Admission, candidates must present credentials that generally satisfy full admission requirements, but need to satisfy additional admission requirements such as special program prerequisites
- All admission requirements must be satisfied by the end of the candidate’s first enrolled semester in the program. Provisional Admission is only available to U.S. residents and citizens.
- For students to be considered for Probationary Admission, one or more of the following special conditions may exist: 1) a cumulative GPA between 2.25 and 2.84 (on a 4.0 scale); 2) holding a master’s degree with a cumulative
- GPA below 3.0; 3) credentials/documents that raise cause for reservation of admission. Students admitted on probationary status must earn a 3.0 GPA in graduate course work within their first semester of enrollment to continue in the program.
Steps to Apply
Step 1: Application for Masters Admission
Step 2: Official Transcripts and Documents
Arrange for all official, sealed academic transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned to be sent to Concordia University Chicago. For transcript review questions, contact the Program Coordinator directly at (708) 888-2031. Any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia approved international credentialing service, such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators).
Please email official electronic transcripts to Grad.Admission@CUChicago.edu.
Please mail transcripts to:
Concordia University Chicago
Office of Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Addison Hall 160
7400 Augusta St.
River Forest, IL 60305-1499
Step 3: Financial Aid
Apply for financial aid and/or make arrangements for payment. You will need to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is in your best interest to complete the financial aid process as early as possible. For assistance, call Concordia University financial aid help-line at (708) 209-3347. Concordia University Chicago’s School Code is 001666.
Step 4: Objective Statement
The objective statement should briefly explain your background and why you want to pursue your program. The statement should be no longer than one page. Please email objective statements to gero@cuchicago.edu, or you can fax it to (708) 777-4773.
Step 5: Letters of Recommendation
Please arrange for two letters of recommendation to be completed and returned to Concordia University Chicago. The letters may be written by anyone who can speak to your likelihood of success in your program, excluding immediate family members. Please email letters of recommendation to gero@cuchicago.edu, or you can fax them to (708) 777-4773.
Doctoral Degree Admission Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Human Services, or related field with a minimum of 3.0 GPA on 4.0 Scale
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Millers Analogy Test (MAT), there is no minimum score requirement; however, the score is evaluated by the program coordinator during the application process. GRE or MAT must be taken within the past three years. This requirement is currently waived.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from former/current professors or employers.
- Letter of application, including state of career goals and research interests.
- Writing sample.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
- Transcripts from each institution attended.
Steps to Apply
Step 1: Application for Graduate Certificate Admission
Step 2: Official Transcripts and Documents
Arrange for all official, sealed academic transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned to be sent to Concordia University Chicago. For transcript review questions, contact the Program Coordinator directly at (708) 888-2031. Any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia approved international credentialing service, such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators).
Please email official electronic transcripts to Grad.Admission@CUChicago.edu.
Please mail transcripts to:
Concordia University Chicago
Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services
Addison Hall, Office 158
7400 Augusta St.
River Forest, IL 60305-1499
Step 3: Financial Aid
Apply for financial aid and/or make arrangements for payment. You will need to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is in your best interest to complete the financial aid process as early as possible. For assistance, call Concordia University financial aid help-line at (708) 209-3347. Concordia University Chicago’s School Code is 001666.
Step 4: Objective Statement
The objective statement should briefly explain your background and why you want to pursue your program. The statement should be no longer than one page. Please email objective statements to gero@cuchicago.edu, or you can fax it to (708) 777-4773.
Step 5: Letters of Recommendation
Please arrange for two letters of recommendation to be completed and returned to Concordia University Chicago. The letters may be written by anyone who can speak to your likelihood of success in your program, excluding immediate family members. Please email letters of recommendation to gero@cuchicago.edu, or you can fax it to (708) 777-4773.
Step 1: Writing Sample
Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to write in a scholarly manner at a level typical of graduate work. A paper from your master’s program would be most appropriate. This sample should approach, but not exceed, five pages in length. Please email a writing sample to gero@cuchicago.edu, or fax it to (708) 777-4773.
Step 2: Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Please submit a current resume/curriculum vitae to gero@cuchicago.edu, or fax it to (708) 777-4773.
Step 3: Graduate Entrance Exam
Testing requirements are currently waived.Please submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Millers Analogy Test (MAT) scores. There is no minimum score requirement; however, the score is evaluated by the program coordinator during the application process. GRE or MAT must be taken within the past three years. CUC’s GRE School Code is RA1140. CUC’s MAT School Recipient Code is 2024.
If you are an international student, please complete the following additional steps.
*Note: I-20s are not issued for students pursuing fully online programs.
Step 1: English as a Second Language
TOEFL Scores: Please submit TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 72 (internet) minimum requirement on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or successful completion of Level 112 at an English Language School (ELS) unless English is the native language, and an unqualified recommendation from an ELS program director is provided. (International students who have earned an advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States do not need to submit TOEFL scores.)
Step 2: Foreign Transcript Evaluation
Foreign Transcript Evaluation: Any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the two Concordia approved international credentialing services, WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Students should request a “Course-by-Course” evaluation and have it sent to:
Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services
Addison Hall, Office 160
7400 Augusta St.
River Forest, IL 60305-1499