Ministry Certifications
The Religious Studies Department offers ministry certifications in Adult and Family, Youth and Urban Ministries. Each certificate program can be completed on its own, as part of an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies, or as part of a graduate degree in Religious Studies or Ministry. Ministry certifications allow students to gain ministry expertise in an area of personal interest.
Adult and Family Ministry
Adult and Family Ministry certification seeks to empower women and men of faith for education, reflection, and engagement in ministry experiences with adults and families. It is designed for clergy and seminarians, as well as for professional and volunteer lay ministers. Pursuit of this certification may be part of an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies or as part of a graduate degree in Ministry or Religious Studies. Non-credit students may obtain a Certificate of Recognition in Adult and Family Ministry.
Courses required/recommended in the pursuit of the certification are those which address:
- Courses in Scriptures in the context of life in the church community.
- Analysis of the mission of the church and of total life of faith in the church community.
- Development of skills in working with adults and their families in pastoral settings.
Adult and Family Ministry Certification Required Courses:
6-9 credits in Scripture/Theology
REL 400B/RS 500B: Professional Development (1 credit)
REL 416/RS 516: Relational Ministry (1 credit)
Portfolio accepted by the Religious Studies Department
Recommended courses:
REL 335/RS 535: Foundations for Ministry (or alternative) (2 credits)
REL 336/RS 536: Pastoral Dimensions for Ministry (or alternative) (2 credits)
Urban Ministry
Urban Ministry certification seeks to empower women and men of faith for education, reflection, and engagement in ministry experiences with urban communities. It is designed for clergy and seminarians, as well as for professional and volunteer lay ministers. Pursuit of this certification may be part of an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies or as part of a graduate degree in Ministry or Religious Studies. Non-credit students may obtain a Certificate of Recognition in Urban Ministry.
Through this certification, students learn to:
- Interpret the Scriptures in the context of the life of an urban church community.
- Design and implement pastoral responses based on an analysis of the total life of an urban faith community.
- Understand the dynamics of personal faith development.
- Develop communication skills in a variety of pastoral and cross-cultural settings.
- Understand the mission of the Church in contemporary urban settings.
Urban Ministry Certification Required Courses:
REL 465/RS 565: Introduction to Urban Ministry (1 credit)
REL 468/RS 568: The Bible and the City (2 credits)
CA 331/CA 531: Intercultural Communications (3 credits)
REL 306/RS 506: The Contemporary Church (3 credits)
REL 443/RS 543: Theology of Peace and Justice (3 credits)
REL 403/RS 503: Religious Studies Practicum (1-3 credits)
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry certification seeks to empower women and men of faith for education, reflection, and engagement in ministry experiences with youth. It is designed for clergy and seminarians, as well as for professional and volunteer lay ministers. Pursuit of this certification may be part of an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies or as part of a graduate degree in Ministry or Religious Studies. Non-credit students may obtain a Certificate of Recognition in Youth Ministry.
Courses required/recommended in the pursuit of the certification are those which address:
- Courses in Scriptures in the context of life in the church community.
- Analysis of the mission of the church and of total life of faith in the church community.
- Development of skills in working with adults and their families in pastoral settings.
Youth Ministry Certification Required Courses:
6-9 credits in Scripture/Theology
REL 400B/RS 500B: Professional Development
REL 335/RS 535: Foundations in Ministry (or alternative) (2 credits)
REL 336/RS 536: Pastoral Dimensions for Ministry (or alternative) (2 credits)
REL 416/RS 516: Relational Ministry (1 credit)
Portfolio accepted by the Religious Studies Department