Studia Vitae: Continuing Education at Concordia University, Nebraska
Registration Open for July Courses!
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are short, non-credit courses designed for Christians who want meaningful growth without the commitment of a full graduate class. Gain practical insights and spiritual encouragement in a format that fits your life.
Studia Vitae: Christ-Centered Continuing Education for Lifelong Learning
- Short, focused sessions of an hour or less
- Take courses immediately or on your own timing
- Lighter workload than a credit-bearing course
- Practical, immediately applicable content
July 2026 Offerings
Foundations of Lutheran Education
Mission and Legacy of Faithful and Flourishing Lutheran Education
Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course guides participants to an understanding of the history, legacy and mission of Lutheran schools—and what it takes to be a faithful and flourishing school.
Sport and Faith Formation
Theology of the Body
Designed for coaches, athletics directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course explores biblical teaching on the body in relation to sport, health and fitness.
Literature and Christian Faith Formation
Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment: Grades 3-8
Designed for teachers, administrators, parents and librarians but open to anyone, Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment shows participants how to evaluate books through the lens of faith and select stories that engage young minds, reflect Christian values and inspire lifelong faith formation.
Ludology
Faith Formation & Play
Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course allows participants to discover how play cultivates discipleship and community.
Teaching and Learning in the Christian School
Restful Teaching Principles for the Christian Educator
This six-week course invites Christian educators, parents, church workers and others to recover a more restful, humane and biblical way of teaching through seven specific principles that have shaped teaching from antiquity through the Christian tradition and have nurtured restfulness.
Retaining Our Educators - A Place Where Teachers Want to Stay
In this course, you will learn the components of an educator retention plan that will help teachers choose to stay at your school. Participants will analyze their school’s current retention efforts and review recent research about what helps educators love their schools and want to remain employed at them. This analysis and review will guild participants in developing an educator retention plan for their schools.
School Administration and Strategy
School Advancement: Identity, Mission and Growth
What makes for an exceptional Lutheran school? School Advancement: Identity, Mission, and Growth equips educational leaders to strengthen and advance their schools by developing a clear, compelling identity rooted in mission and identity. With particular attention to our distinctly Lutheran identity, participants will explore how adherence to your why shapes school culture, informs vision and guides strategic decision-making.
Additional Sample Course Offerings
Leadership Formation & Classical Christian Thought
Biblical Foundations of Classical Christian Leadership
Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, Biblical Foundations of Classical Christian Leadership equips participants with timeless leadership principles grounded in Scripture and classical wisdom.
Biblical Wisdom, Decision-Making, Phronesis and Leadership
Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to apply biblical wisdom and classical discernment to faithful decision-making.
Mimesis: Inspiration and Lessons from Great Leaders of the Past
Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course helps participants discover how the lives of great leaders can inspire faithful leadership today.
Oikonomia and Leadership
Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course guides participants through the exploration of biblical stewardship and organizational management for leaders.
Schole & Lifelong Paideia for Leaders
Designed for Lutheran church and school leaders, current and aspiring Christian nonprofit leaders and lay professionals in leadership but open to anyone, this course equips participants to cultivate habits of reflection and lifelong learning for sustainable leadership.
Foundations of Lutheran Education
Foundations of Biblical Theology
Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course explores what Lutherans believe, teach and confess and the implications for faith, life and learning.
Applications of Biblical Theology in the Lutheran School
Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course allows participants to discover how biblical theology shapes and informs what we do and why we do it in Lutheran schools.
The Mission and Legacy of Faithful and Flourishing Lutheran Education
Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools, church staff, Lutheran school board members and pastors but open to anyone, this course guides participants to an understanding of the history, legacy and mission of Lutheran schools—and what it takes to be a faithful and flourishing school.
Teaching the Christian Faith
Designed for new teachers and leaders in Lutheran schools but open to anyone, this course equips participants to lead a distinctly Lutheran learning environment through Gospel-focused relationships and pedagogy.
Sport and Faith Formation
Sport as Faith Formation
Designed for coaches, athletic directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course shows participants how sport can be used to shape character and nurture faith.
Biblical Foundations of Coaching and Mentoring
Designed for coaches, athletics directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course allows participants to learn how Scripture guides mentoring of athletes and youth.
Theology of the Body
Designed for coaches, athletics directors, DCEs, PE teachers, camp leaders, Christians who work in sport-related businesses and volunteers but open to anyone, this course explores biblical teaching on the body in relation to sport, health and fitness.
Applied AI
AI Foundations and Everyday Tools
Demystify AI, explore its benefits, downsides, strengths, weaknesses, understanding different language models, prompt engineering and practical usage cases.
Biblical Wisdom and AI
Designed for Christian church and school leaders and nonprofit leaders but open to anyone, this course explores a biblical foundation for using and making decisions about how to use AI
Approaching AI with a Vocational Framework
Designed for Christian church and school leaders and nonprofit leaders but open to anyone, this course offers a simple model for understanding what AI is, how it can be used effectively and what pitfalls to avoid. Then, a vocational framework is applied to guide Christians' approaches to using AI as they create, relate and lead in their everyday lives.
Fundraising and Philanthropy for Christian Organizations
Biblical Foundations of Fundraising and Philanthropy
Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to root fundraising in biblical stewardship and generosity.
Building Donor Relationships and Partnerships
Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course helps participants develop strong donor relationships that advance mission.
Comprehensive Fundraising Campaigns
Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course equips participants to plan and lead major fundraising campaigns with confidence.
Strategies for Annual Funds and Unrestricted Giving
Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course guides participants in building sustainable annual giving programs for an organization.
Foundations of Endowments and Planned Giving
Designed for Christian nonprofit leaders, pastors, school administrators and nonprofit board members but open to anyone, this course guides participants in establishing endowments and legacy gifts for long-term mission impact.
Literature and Christian Faith Formation
Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment: Grades 3-8
Designed for teachers, administrators, parents and librarians but open to anyone, Choosing and Using Children’s Literature with Christian Discernment shows participants how to evaluate books through the lens of faith and select stories that engage young minds, reflect Christian values and inspire lifelong faith formation.
Why Stories Matter: Teaching Children’s Literature in the Christian Classroom
Designed for K-8 teachers, homeschooling parents, principals and Christian librarians but open to anyone, this course demonstrates how stories shape faith and worldview in children.
Forming the Christian Imagination
Intended for anyone interested in literature and faith, this course will introduce participants to a selection of short stories and poems that address a world that is beautiful, broken, and redeemed. The course will encourage participants’ close reading skills and allow for reflection, discussion and application of what it means to read well and imagine well.
Liturgical Visual Art
Theology of Beauty and the Visual Arts for Congregations
Designed for parish church workers, elders, worship committees and Christian artists but open to anyone, this course explores how beauty and sacred art enrich worship.
Ludology
Foundations of Ludology: From Plato to Puzzlecraft
Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course explores the history and philosophy of play as a tool for learning and formation.
Faith Formation & Play
Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course allows participants to discover how play cultivates discipleship and community.
Foundations in Adventure-Based Learning
Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course shows participants how to use adventure and challenge to promote growth and faith formation.
The Art of the Riddle: History, Philosophy, Theory and Design
Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, participants in this course will study riddles as playful tools for wisdom and learning.
Puzzlecraft Studio
Designed for Christian educators, DCEs, camp leaders, game designers and Christian creatives but open to anyone, this course equips participants to design scavenger hunts, treasure hunts and clue chains for education and community.
Teaching and Learning in the Christian School
Student Engagement to Support Positive Behaviors in the Classroom
Designed for current and future Christian educators but open to anyone, this course equips participants to create engaging, inclusive learning environments that promote positive student behavior and success. Through reflection and practice, educators will develop clear, caring strategies to collaborate with families and respond to student behavior.
Trauma Informed School and Classrooms
Designed for educators and administrators, and open to everyone, this course explores the impact that trauma and stress have on learning and how trauma-informed practices can develop trusting relationships and lead to positive outcomes for students and their learning communities.
Teaching Skeptical Students
Developed for classroom teachers but open to anyone, this course equips participants to create a classroom culture that welcomes questions, encourages critical thought and utilizes engaging methods to investigate facts, discern bias and consider various perspectives in order to foster critical thinking and decision making skills.
Leading Students to Church Work
Developed for pastors, lay leaders, educators and administrators but open to anyone, this course explores way to initiate conversations and create a culture to support church worker preparation and recruitment.
Restful Teaching Principles for the Christian Educator
This six-week course invites Christian educators, parents, church workers and others to recover a more restful, humane and biblical way of teaching through seven specific principles that have shaped teaching from antiquity through the Christian tradition and have nurtured restfulness.
Retaining Our Educators - A Place Where Teachers Want to Stay
In this course, you will learn the components of an educator retention plan that will help teachers choose to stay at your school. Participants will analyze their school’s current retention efforts and review recent research about what helps educators love their schools and want to remain employed at them. This analysis and review will guild participants in developing an educator retention plan for their schools.
School Administration and Strategy
School Advancement: Identity, Mission and Growth
What makes for an exceptional Lutheran school? School Advancement: Identity, Mission, and Growth equips educational leaders to strengthen and advance their schools by developing a clear, compelling identity rooted in mission and identity. With particular attention to our distinctly Lutheran identity, participants will explore how adherence to your why shapes school culture, informs vision and guides strategic decision-making.