Life Directions Center (LDC)

The mission of the Life Directions Center (LDC) is to equip authentic disciples of Christ to discern their life calling, achieve academic success and engage in meaningful service. The LDC provides a four year connection for students in their pursuit of spiritual, academic, and career directions by providing resources, guidance, and counsel to help students realize and move towards their God-given calling.

The Life Directions Center manages the following student services: 

• Academic Advising
• Academic Alerts
• Student Success Services
• Tutoring Services
• CLEP and DSST Policies
• Undeclared Major Advising
• Life Calling
• Ministry Hours Requirements
• Study Abroad and Off-Campus Programs
• International Student Services
• Accommodations and Accessibility
• Veterans Affairs

Advisors in the LDC provide information and resources to assist students in knowing their degree requirements and meeting their specific educational goals in the time frame the student sets. This includes access to online degree plans, course planning, rotations, and prerequisites to meet the general education and specific degree requirements for graduation. Advisors are available to guide students’ course selections each semester to help students take the courses in the correct sequencing for their academic programs.

1. Students are responsible for their degree progression and completion. Students should check their planned sequencing of courses on a semester or annual basis to ensure they are meeting all degree requirements and prerequisites. It is also the responsibility of students to notify their advisor of any changes they make to the course selections their advisor recommends. Failure to do so may result in students taking additional time to complete their Colorado Christian University degree.
2. Students should talk with their advisor when considering any changes to their major, minor, or course selections. The process of changing majors, adding or dropping a minor, adding or dropping a class, or requesting a course substitution are all initiated at the LDC so students must talk with their advisor before any of these actions can be taken.
3. To assist in a check of academic progress, students are required to complete a sophomore review in their sophomore year. This needs to be completed prior to spring semester registration. Students will meet with their advisor in their junior year to discuss post-graduation plan. In the senior year, a graduation application is due by registration the semester before a student plans to graduate.

 Academic Alerts

Students are expected to be aware of their academic performance in their courses and to utilize the student success services CCU provides. Students can determine academic performance by tracking their completed assignments and grades from the syllabus requirements or accessing posted grades in Blackboard. Many faculty post individual grades and calculate current course grades within Blackboard; although students are responsible for carefully checking that all grades have been updated, as the overall grade can fluctuate accordingly.

To assist students in succeeding academically, CCU also runs two formal academic alert processes each semester in which faculty are invited to review course grades and general academic success in order to identify students who are struggling in their courses. CCU identifies course grades below a C- as indicating a possible academic struggle. Additionally, there may be factors other than current grades that cause a professor concern for ongoing success, such as but not limited to class participation and/or attendance. These factors may be reflected in a formal academic alert. The LDC Student Success Coordinator and advisors reach out to these students to offer support, encouragement, and resources. Because a student’s grade can change very rapidly, depending on completion and grading of assignments and various other factors, these processes will not identify every struggling student. The responsibility remains on the student to know their academic performance and reach out to faculty or their LDC advisor if he or she is struggling; however, our academic alert process is designed to offer early intervention when we are aware of potential struggles and ensure holistic student support.

The LDC provides a variety of services to promote the development and/or improvement of necessary skills for college success. These student success services are available to all students and include a Student Success course for conditionally admitted students, weekly study halls with peer mentor support, monthly workshops offered by expert faculty and staff, free tutorial resources, and individual appointments with LDC advisors. The LDC also partners with faculty to provide assistance to students who show an academic struggle throughout a semester. The LDC staff has information and resources on time management, test-taking skills, study habits, and other issues that impact students’ success in college. Each student has different strengths, challenges, and needs, and the LDC staff encourages students to try and adopt methods that work for their unique personality and learning style. Students who are on probation or are conditionally admitted to the University also benefit from many of these services. Specific, additional information is available for probation or conditionally admitted students in the Academic Policies  section.

Student Success Services (SSS) at CCU offers free tutoring resources that provide assistance to current CUS students seeking to supplement classroom instruction to reach their educational goals. Students have access to Peer-to-Peer tutoring as well as 24/7 online academic support. Peer-to-Peer tutoring is offered by Academic Consultants who are current students hired and trained to assist students in select courses. Online academic support is offered via Brainfuse Live Tutoring, which is a comprehensive suite of live online tutoring and self-paced study tools designed for college students. Students can find current listings of courses being tutored and operation details by visiting CCU Connect, speaking with their LDC Advisor, and/or contacting the Coordinator of Student Success Services. 

Colorado Christian University will accept applicable credits for students who score at or above CCU established levels on specified CLEP and DSST tests. Scores for granting credit are determined by the CCU Dean’s Council, with consideration given to the recommended scores by the American Council on Education (ACE). Information on CLEP and DSST transfer policies may be found on the CUS Academic Policies  page.

A number of incoming freshmen begin their CCU experience without a declared major. The LDC Undeclared Student Services Coordinator provides several workshops and presentations that can assist in major selection. This programming assists students in exploring their areas of interest, gifting, and abilities and provides a supplement to the individual advising all LDC advisors do to help students as they select and confirm their major. It is strongly recommended that students declare a major before completing 60 credits of coursework.

The LDC is available to assist students with prayerfully discerning their calling and how that can be connected to their college experience and future plans. Students are encouraged to pursue academic, ministry, job, and leadership opportunities to identify their God-given talents and interests and how those can be used for God’s kingdom purposes. LDC advisors can help students learn more about their interests, talents, skills, values, spiritual gifts, and personality and how those may interact with vocation, professions, ministry, and hobbies. The LDC offers several assessments such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, and Clifton Strengths that are some tangible tools to explore and confirm some elements of calling. Students are also encouraged to try new things and to reflect and learn from both their successes and challenges. We want students to build a foundation of calling that is about who they are in Christ and how that interacts with vocation, ministry, and hobbies. We refer students interested in job opportunities to CCU’s Employment Management Services. The LDC has resources on academic options, leadership possibilities, service learning, and ministry opportunities. These are all valuable experiences to explore things like vocation, calling, giftedness, purpose, and fit.

Colorado Christian University aims not only to give students an unforgettable study abroad experience but ultimately desires to develop students into global citizens. CCU’s study abroad partners offer programs in 20 countries and offer courses relevant to nearly every major while also offering students unique opportunities in terms of field-based internships, language acquisition, and cultural assimilation experiences. 

CCU’s Study Abroad Partners

• GlobalEd (through the CCCU) -  the Middle East, Nashville, Oxford, Los Angeles, Uganda, and Washington, D.C.
• Living and Learning International - Ecuador and Italy
• Study Abroad Lithuania (through Lithuania Christian University)
• Veritas Christian Study Abroad - Czech Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, England, France, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain

To make an appointment with CCU’s Study Abroad Coordinator or to learn more about study abroad at CCU, email studyabroad@ccu.edu.

In collaboration with the Department of Undergraduate Admission, the LDC administrates appropriate government paperwork such as a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status for American and Language Students (Form I-20) for international students studying at CCU. The LDC International Student Coordinator is also available to assist international students with their adjustment to life in the United States. Students desiring more information are encouraged to contact the LDC.

CCU is committed to providing equal access to academic programs and the university experience for qualified students with a documented disability. It is the policy of Colorado Christian University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and state and local regulations regarding students and applicants with disabilities. Pursuant to these laws, no qualified individual with a disability shall unlawfully be denied access to or participation in services, programs, or activities at the University. Students with a grievance should consult the appropriate section of this catalog (below) for instructions about how to file a complaint.

In accordance with the ADA as amended, CCU recognizes that disabilities may include mobility, sensory, health, psychological, and learning impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. In order to ensure equal access, CCU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals to the extent that it is readily achievable to do so. We are unable, however, to make accommodations that are unduly burdensome or that fundamentally alter the curriculum, the nature of the program, service, or activity.

Accommodations are granted upon completion of the Accommodation Registration process and provision of appropriate and relevant documentation to the Life Directions Center. Requests need to be made in a reasonable time frame in which to process registration forms, review documentation, complete an in-take meeting, and create an individualized Certificate of Accommodations. Reviewing and granting accommodations can take up to three weeks, so students are strongly encouraged to consider that in determining when to begin the registration process.

Students seeking reasonable accommodations can contact the Life Direction Center, email accommodations@ccu.edu, or access the Accommodation and Accessibility website in order to review the Accommodations Policies and Procedures packet. This packet details the process to request accommodations and the documentation required.

Upon approval of accommodations, it is the responsibility of the student to provide her/his faculty with an approved Certificate of Accommodations received through the Life Directions Center. A Certificate of Accommodations must be produced before accommodations can be provided. Accommodations are not given retroactively and do not guarantee success.

The University admissions decisions are made without regard to disabilities. Thus, the University will not impose or apply admission or eligibility criteria that discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Students with disabilities desiring to enroll in any program, service, or activity at the University must be able to meet the minimum academic and technical standards required for admission or participation of the University and the specific program. CCU is unable to lower program requirements, provide individualized supervision, or make modifications or substitute courses if they would fundamentally alter the learning objectives of the educational program. The University does not engage in any affirmative action programs for disabled students nor does it consider a student’s disability in evaluating admissions criteria. It is, of course, within the student’s discretion to disclose his/her disability to the University and request reasonable accommodations if desired. If this choice is made, the University will not discriminate against the student on the basis of the disability and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary and appropriate. At CCU, we are committed to inclusion and providing equal access to individuals with disabilities.

Grievance Policy for Disability Accommodations

CCU prohibits retaliation against anyone who files a grievance under the grievance policy or otherwise complains that they have been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations. This prohibition of retaliation similarly extends to anyone who has testified, assisted, or participated in any manner of investigation, proceeding, or hearing related to an ADAAA grievance or complaint under this policy.

CCU encourages students who disagree with a decision concerning a requested accommodation to attempt to resolve their concerns by first discussing them with the Accommodations and Accessibility Coordinator in writing. Any student who believes that a decision regarding disability accommodations has not been made in accordance with CCU stated policy may file a formal grievance with the Disability Appeal Committee. The Disability Appeal Committee consists of the Vice President of Student Life, University Counsel, and the Director of the Life Directions Center. Students must file their grievances via email to: CUSaccommodationsappeal@ccu.edu.

Grievances from students requesting accommodations will only be granted on the following grounds:

1. The assigned accommodations are disproportionate to the need.
2. The student was not accorded his or her rights, and this failure significantly affected the student’s right to equal access.
3. The decision of the Accommodations and Accessibility Coordinator was not based on all documentation.

This formal grievance will be investigated and resolved in accordance with the following procedure:

1. Complete and file a grievance statement.

a. To file a formal grievance concerning a disability accommodation decision, an individual must provide the Disability Appeal Committee with a written grievance statement via email that contains the following:

i. A description of the issue and any relevant facts.

ii. A summary of any steps the student has taken to resolve the issue, including names of people involved.

iii. A statement of the requested resolution, including student’s rationale for any requested accommodation.

iv. Any supporting documentation.

v. Name and contact information of the person initiating the complaint.

b. This formal grievance must be emailed to CUSaccommodationsappeal@ccu.edu Attn: Disability Appeal Committee no later than thirty (30) days from the date of the decision for accommodations by the Accommodations and Accessibility Coordinator.

2. Notification: Upon receipt of a formal grievance statement, the Disability Appeal Committee or designee will initiate an investigation and notify the student via email that an investigation will be conducted.

3. Investigation: the Disability Appeal Committee may investigate the grievance through some or all of the following steps: meeting with the student, speaking with the Accommodations and Accessibility Coordinator or other involved parties to hear their respective positions, requesting additional medical documentation, requesting independent medical evaluation, consulting with professionals with applicable expertise, and/or any other relevant means.

4. Deliberation: The Disability Appeal Committee will have thirty (30) business days to complete an investigation once all the requirements of a grievance statement have been met and issue a determination on the grievance. If the Disability Appeal Committee is unable to issue its determination within that time frame, the Disability Appeal Committee will advise the student. After a determination is made, a written decision will be provided to the student via email with explanations. The decision by the Disability Appeal Committee is final.

The LDC is available to assist CUS Veterans and ROTC students with their unique needs. Students can speak with their LDC advisor or the Veterans and ROTC Coordinator for more information about services provided.