Academic Programs by Trinity Lutheran College

Academic Programs

Academic Programs Biblical Studies Biblical Languages Old & New Testaments Theology

Biblical Studies

Business, Leadership & Management Accounting Business Management Nonprofit Leadership & Management

Biblical Studies majors gain an outstanding background in the Old and New Testaments and explore philosophy, history and interpretive methods.

Children, Youth & Family Studies Children’s Ministry Community Outreach Outdoor Leadership Youth Ministry Communications Public Relations & Marketing Rhetoric Computer Information Systems Data Analysis Information Management Technology & Culture Web and App Development Early Childhood Education Nature & Early Learning Graphic Design & Visual Communications Digital Design Video and Film Production Web Design Intercultural Studies Global Mission Urban Mission Music Choral Conducting Composition Music & Worship Arts Music Technology & Production Musical Theater Arts Piano Pedagogy Psychology Clinical Psychology Forensic Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Sports & Exercise Psychology Pre-Professional Programs Pre-Counseling Studies Pre-Seminary Studies Pre-Law

Distinctively Trinity Our approach holds that the Bible is Scripture, which means it is authoritative for our life and faith, not just a field of study. Then, we hold in tension the orthodox interpretations of the Church with the methods of scholarly research for meaningful application for your life. The conversations are honest and challenging, while still faithful. At Trinity you’ll grow in Christ and biblically-ground your faith to be empowered for Christcentered service. Focus on your interests • Biblical Languages • Old & New Testaments • Pre-Seminary • Theology After graduation The in-depth study involved in this major helps you develop strong critical thinking, writing and research skills. Our graduates have gone on to enter seminary, become missionaries, work at

non-profits, write about spiritual or faith issues, and work in the many fields that match a solid liberal arts education. Program Faculty Faculty combine a commitment to scholarship with a passion for challenging students to discover a deeper meaning and personal transformation through God’s self-revelation. We invite you to encounter Jesus Christ, as revealed by Scripture, as we wrestle together with the ancient biblical texts for “faith seeking understanding.” “I chose this major so I can faithfully interpret the Bible. The curriculum is wonderful and I can see that my expectations will be met. I like Trinity’s small class sizes, which produce a great learning environment.” —William Rima, junior

Business, Leadership & Management Business majors examine the functional areas of business, including accounting, marketing, economics and finance. Students gain invaluable knowledge about how businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the world function in society. Distinctively Trinity Because you will be studying business at a Christian college, you will learn to integrate Christian values or your own belief system with business and nonprofit management practices, preparing you to become an agent for positive change in whatever career you choose. Business courses are taught by instructors who combine strong academic credentials with relevant work experience as they teach and mentor students. Specialize in one of three tracks: • Accounting to develop the skills necessary to prepare, report, interpret and analyze financial statements. • Business Management for the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and lead in business. • Nonprofit Leadership for insight into the structure, challenges and contributions of the rapidly growing nonprofit world. What can I do with it? Pursue graduate business school. Go into church marketing or management. Start a business. Launch a ministry. Work in a non-profit organization. Become a corporate executive. Program Faculty Business, Leadership & Management courses are taught by instructors who combine strong academic credentials with relevant work experience in the courses they teach. They are all professionals in their field and care deeply about teaching.

Dr. Stuart Webber, Chair of Business, Leadership & Management, is also a certified public accountant with nearly two decades of financial experience with companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Bank of America. Students appreciate Dr. Webber’s ability to combine real world experience, an ethical compass and strong academic preparation.

“I learned a little bit about everything— finance, marketing, accounting. Whether you’re working in accounting or operations and management, you still need to know how it all comes together and interacts.” —Yelena Svetleachni (‘12)

Children, Youth & Family Studies Children, Youth & Family Studies gives you training and experience to work with children, youth and adults in settings that range from churches and camps to social service agencies and non-profit organizations. Distinctively Trinity You will study emerging trends and contemporary research, human lifespan development, family systems, counseling and relational skills, program planning and administration, and best practices for working with children and youth – all from a rich Christian faith perspective. You’ll also gain practical skills through practicum and internship courses – accumulating up to 700 hours of valuable, resume building experience.

Our program allows you to specialize in one

Focus on your interests Throughout your program of study, you can tailor classes, assignments and projects to meet your unique interests, such as youth ministry, children’s ministry, community social services, outdoor ministry or nonprofit leadership.

of five areas: Children’s Ministry Community Outreach

What can I do with it? Become a youth ministry director in a church. Run programs at a camp. Become a case manager or agency program director. Work in a community nonprofit. Direct a children’s ministry program. Pursue graduate studies or seminary to become a counselor, teacher or pastor.

Outdoor Leadership Pre-Counseling Studies Youth Ministry

Program Faculty Our professors get to know you well to support and encourage you in pursuing your call to serve children, youth and families. As you finish the program, they will help you prepare for life beyond college by coaching you in creating a resume, finding jobs or applying to graduate school.

Communications As a Communications major you will study communications theory and research methods, develop strong writing and oral communication skills, and learn how companies, politicians and nonprofit organizations disseminate their messages. Communications is the study of how human beings communicate— through speech, the written word and new media. Our faculty provide students in each class with a strategic balance of theoretical and applied knowledge, equipping graduates with an expansive toolbox of communication skills. Specialize in an area that interests you: • Communications • Public Relations & Marketing • Rhetoric What can I do with it? Market your company, organization or church. Work in the front office of a professional sports organization. Write and develop website content. Work as a communications consultant. Become a journalist. Make documentaries. Become a film critic. Attend graduate or law school. Become a speechwriter. Start a public relations company. Champion a cause. Start a social movement. Program Faculty Professors in Communications all have “real world” experience working in the courses that they teach. Our faculty provide students in each class with a strategic balance of theoretical and applied knowledge equipping graduates with an expansive toolbox of communication skills.

Dr. David Schulz, chair of the Communications department, teaches courses in public speaking, rhetorical theory, persuasive messages and methods of research and inquiry. Students eagerly respond to his individual mentoring. He has authored several publications and frequently presents at conferences. “I am passionate about social justice, storytelling, and technology. I want to have an impact on the world by communicating stories.” —Kyna Moore (‘12)

Computer Information Systems Computer Information Systems (CIS) is the study of information and the way it intersects with both people and social systems. Taught from the perspective of human-centered design, a CIS major at Trinity is the application of computing to solve problems within the human context. Distinctively Trinity One important component to a CIS major at Trinity is that it integrates both technological and social perspectives in the study of information. Here we have an interdisciplinary approach to teaching CIS: you will receive in-depth training in database computer programming, mathematics and statistics along with ethics and the social sciences.

Computer Information Systems majors can focus their studies in Data Analysis, Information Management, Technology and Culture, or Web and App Development.

What can I do with it? Computer Information Systems is a new and fast growing field with thousands of job openings in a wide variety of industries. Professionals with a degree in Computer Information Systems help design and manage new information technology tools for scientific, business and cultural needs. Program Faculty Professors in Computer Information Systems have “real world” experience working within the areas they teach. Our faculty provide students in each class with a strategic balance of theoretical and applied knowledge, equipping graduates with the skills to succeed.

“What interests me about Computer Information Systems at Trinity is the way information and technology intersect with both ethics and people. I believe the program will prepare me for a successful career using the skills I’ve developed while at Trinity.” —Tolby Nordenstrom, sophomore

Early Childhood Education Our Early Childhood Education major is a practical degree that combines the study of early child development, learning theories and classroom experience. The demand for well-qualified early learning teachers is growing, and essentially all of our graduates find jobs or attend graduate school. Distinctively Trinity While studying many aspects of early learning, Trinity is distinctive in several areas: •

We emphasize the whole child by studying their physical, social/ emotional, cognitive and spiritual development.

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We study the natural world and a child’s affinity for being in natural spaces. We do this through the use of our on-site early learning center, an “urban, nature” preschool and childcare center.

•

We combine the study of theory with its direct application to working with young children. We see development stages, we watch little minds work through creative problem solving, and we experience the joy of working with children.

In a world increasingly driven by technology, students have the

What can I do with it? Teach in an early childhood learning center. Be a preschool director. Run a childcare center. Work in a church. Obtain a position in a community agency working with young children. Pursue graduate studies in teaching or administration.

opportunity to study abroad in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, exploring ways to incorporate nature into

Program Faculty Professors in the Early Childhood Education program have diverse backgrounds in early learning, child development, teaching methods and program administration. All have professional training in their field and they share a common passion: facilitating the holistic development of young children.

urban contexts for early childhood education.

Graphic Design & Visual Communications Graphic Design & Visual Communications prepares students to create, understand and interpret elements of our visual culture. It involves varied subjects such as illustration, photography, filmmaking, art and design. Balancing practical skills with design theory, our Graphic Design & Visual Communication students attend to foundational concepts, then go beyond to important interpretative questions. We study aesthetics, learning how principles of color, light and dimension contribute to the larger picture. We train students to be digitally literate, adapting cutting edge technical skills to survive and thrive in our new era.

Graphic Design & Visual Communications majors have the option to specialize in Digital Design, Video and Film Production or Web Design. “Graphic design is like learning a new language to communicate with people. It’s the language of creativity.” —Mallayana Bradley, junior

Distinctively Trinity Trinity understands the importance of balancing the theoretical and “big picture” knowledge with the skills to apply what we learn to professions in the church, business and politics. We encourage our students to design messages that are responsive to changing times, contexts and technologies, and challenging each other through collaborative team assignments, vigorous debates and discussion about the most recent technological advances. What can I do with it? Become a graphic designer. Start your own business. Design websites. Work in advertising. Be an interior designer, publisher, magazine editor, artist, photographer or filmmaker. Program Faculty Our diverse faculty are designers, artists and practitioners who have won awards (including multiple Emmys) for their work in the business community and media organizations, such as KOMO television and Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Intercultural Studies Combining the study of world religions and cultures with an understanding of how to communicate and serve in a global context, the Intercultural Studies program holds the Mission of God at its heart. Our program provides you with the biblical and theological foundations of mission, an understanding of mission history and the rise of world Christianity and skills in intercultural competencies. Distinctively Trinity Through travel, coursework and hands-on experience, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll gain an ability for living cross-culturally, whether your goal is to work in a remote area of another continent or a multicultural urban environment in the United States. Our program includes biblical and theological foundations, skills in evangelism and outreach, understanding what shapes current theories, strategies and practices, and equipping students to thrive interculturally.

As part of the program, you participate in a 14-week internship in an urban or

What can I do with it? Become a missionary. Plant churches. Work in global development. Teach English to speakers of other languages. Serve in an urban outreach organization. Work in a non-governmental organization abroad. Pursue graduate studies or seminary.

international setting. You might teach street children in India, work at a church school in Samoa, or teach English as a

Program Faculty Intercultural Studies faculty teach a rich array of course offerings. They are experienced practitioners in community organizing, global outreach, urban ministry, evangelism and cultural competency.

second language. We match your passions with internship opportunities.

Music Mentored by outstanding faculty, music majors are nurtured to become leading musicians through extraordinary training in music, through knowledge being put into practice. Distinctively Trinity As a music student at Trinity, in addition to experiencing Trinity’s strong biblical foundation, you will be given many creative opportunities to develop your talents and abilities as an effective, artistic leader.

The Trinity Concert Choir performs large concerts several times each year. Scholarships are available to qualified students through a music audition. Learn more at TLC.edu/music.

Focus on your interests Our program allows you to specialize in various proficiency tracks within the B.A. in Music: • Choral Conducting • Composition • Music & Worship Arts • Music Technology & Production • Musical Theater Arts • Piano Pedagogy What can I do with it? Write and publish music. Lead a church music and worship program. Start and promote a band. Pursue graduate studies or seminary. Develop a recording career. Program Faculty Faculty in Trinity’s Music department are not only working professionals in their field of expertise, but they also hold the highest degrees in their field. Teaching and mentoring students, they bring a depth of spiritual wisdom and musical skills, abilities and knowledge that enrich the student’s application of what they are learning in the classroom setting.

Pre-Law Program

Psychology As a Psychology major, you will study human behaviors, cognition and emotion through a scientific lens in a Christian context. Distinctively Trinity Psychology majors are prepared to respond ethically and sensitively to the complex individual and social issues they encounter—no matter what career you choose. Specialize • Clinical Psychology • Forensic Psychology • Industrial/Organizational Psychology • Sports & Exercise Psychology “After graduating with my Psychology degree, my goal is to earn my doctorate and become a psychologist serving low-income and marginalized populations. Eventually, I would like to teach as well. ” —Sam Smith (‘13)

What can I do with it? Pursue graduate studies. Go into corporate human resources. Work with at-risk youth or the elderly. Take a sales position. Work in a social services agency. Program Faculty The Psychology Department faculty are leaders in teaching, research and application in their field. The team brings a dynamic confluence of different perspectives and expertise.

Students have the opportunity to design and implement their own research study. Past projects have included factors of work satisfaction, ADHD and learning styles, and the effect of media on women’s self-esteem.

Law school admissions committees agree that the most appropriate and beneficial preparation for law school is a traditional liberal arts education combined with relevant extracurricular experiences. At Trinity Lutheran College we coordinate these activities through our Pre-Law advisors and the close contact you have with faculty in your major. Our program is inherently flexible and allows students to explore the breadth of their intellectual interests. Pre-Law students can select any major field of concentration at the college. Students who plan to pursue the study of law should include courses to refine their writing, research and argument formation skills. These skills will be required of you in your future law school courses. Trinity’s PreLaw program will prepare you for this challenge by providing you with a solid undergraduate foundation allowing you to excel in law school.