What is a DCE?
A DCE, or Director of Christian Education, is a parish educator who serves as a Commissioned Minister within The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. DCEs typically work as part of a ministry team with pastors and other staff members. Depending on your unique talents and interests, you might work in a congregation in the areas of parish education, children’s ministry, youth ministry, small group ministry, young adult ministry, family ministry, or music ministry.
Program Overview
Concordia’s DCE program will help prepare you for a dynamic and rewarding ministry career through ministry-specific courses, valuable field experience, and interaction with experienced DCE faculty and active DCEs serving in the Chicago area.
Our program offers two degree options: a Director of Christian Education and Illinois Teacher Certification, through which you receive both the DCE and teacher certifications (dual), and the Director of Christian Education certification, through which you receive just the DCE certification (single). Which track is best for you depends on your interests.
For complete details, read our specific course information in the Academic Catalog.
General Course Information
The DCE core courses focus on DCE-specific skills, parish education, church leadership, and team ministry. Dual degree students take both the DCE core courses and the education major requirements. Single certification students enroll in the DCE core courses and have a theology minor. Single certification students will specialize in youth ministry, family ministry, church music, or evangelism & outreach. Students may also design their own specialization based on their individual interests.
Opportunities
The Chicago area is home to more than 200 Lutheran churches and 100 Lutheran schools. The DCE program takes advantage of this rich learning environment by providing abundant local opportunities to develop practical skills through field experience and servant events.
Plenty of extracurricular activities are available to students, including retreats, servant events (local, national and international), campus ministry teams, Bible study, and fellowship opportunities. DCE students form a close-knit community, but also are involved with other Concordia students in these activities. There are also leadership opportunities in the DCE program, for students who wish to help plan and organize DCE activities and events.