Director of Christian Education (DCE) Program

A Director of Christian Education (DCE) is a life span educational leader prepared for team ministry in a congregational setting. DCEs are certified, called, and commissioned within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). A DCE, empowered by the Holy Spirit, plans, administers, and assesses ministry that nurtures and equips people in the Body of Christ for spiritual maturity, service, and witness in home, job, congregation, community, and the world.

The purpose of the Director of Christian Education program is to equip leaders for ministry who are passionate about the Gospel, God’s people, and Christ’s Church. Through four years of coursework and one year of internship, students will be prepared to serve effectively in a congregational setting in the following roles: ministry leader, Christian educator, life span minister (including youth ministry), and care minister. Upon the successful completion of the Christian education leadership major and the DCE program requirements, and upon recommendation of the faculty, students will receive certification as a DCE by the LCMS and become eligible to receive a call into full-time service in the church.

1. Enduring Questions & Ideas (GE) (44-45 Units)

   Normally completed during the first 2 years of attendance.

2. Major Requirements (46 Units)

   Note: The Theological Studies: Christian Education Leadership major is required for all DCE students.

3. Minor Requirements (31-33 Units)

   Note: The Director of Christian Education minor is required for all DCE students.

4. DCE Internship: Post-Baccalaureate (12 Units)

   The final requirement for DCE certification is a year-long internship, normally following graduation, in a congregation, agency, or mission site of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) that will enable students to experience as many aspects of the DCE ministry as possible. While interns register as students under the ultimate direction of the DCE program director during internship, they are also paid by the participating congregation or agency and are under the direct supervision of a full-time rostered minister in the congregation or agency during this time.

   Special Internship Situations: International Internship

   Christ College partners with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of International Missions to offer international internship opportunities for some students in the Director of Christian Education (DCE) program. Students interested in an international internship must consult with the DCE program director as early as possible. Students will satisfy additional requirements from Concordia, LCMS World Missions and the potential internship site. Students selected for international internships will enroll in CED 490 for two (2) semesters and CED 491 for the remaining one (1) or two (2) semesters of international internship. Such students are responsible for three (3) semesters of internship tuition. Students on internship for twenty-four (24) months may pay CED 491 tuition over two (2) semesters. Internship tuition and fees may increase to align with the costs of supervision. Students are expected to work with LCMS Office of International Missions to raise support for an international internship and must show the ability to pay for airfare from the internship site to the United States in case of emergency or unexpected ending of the internship.

   Special Internship Situations: Self-Funded Internship

   Some unique internship opportunities may be in specialized ministry situations that require students to raise some or all of their internship salary. Students who are interested in one of these specialized internships will consult with the DCE director as early as possible.

5. Additional Information

   All students in the program are required to meet annually with the program director to discuss their personal, professional, intellectual, and spiritual growth for DCE ministry.

6. DCE Post-Baccalaureate Certification

   Concordia University Irvine also offers two tracks towards DCE certification for non-residential students. Details are found here:

   1. program (DCEemphasis)

   2. program