Requirements
The Certificate Program in Religious Education Ministries seeks to equip persons for ministries related to teaching and learning in faith communities, schools, and the wider society. It is designed for Candler MDiv and MTS students who see some aspect of Christian religious education as central to their vocational identity, primarily in relation to three distinct but related tracks.
Christian Congregational Education
Includes students seeking to complete the academic requirements of the United Methodist Church for certification in Christian Education, as well as students desiring to prepare more generally for the educational dimensions of congregational ministry.
Christian Ministries with Youth
Enables students to meet United Methodists Church requirements for the Youth Ministry certificate and/or to prepare for a range of ministries with youth and beyond the congregation.
Religion and Academy
Prepares students for campus ministry, academic teaching, or other ministries in academic contexts.
Requirements for the certificate may be met within a student's program of study and include:
- participation in at least one professional conference sponsored or approved by the Religious Education Program
- participation in at least one Religious Education Program retreat
- an annual advising conversation with the Program Director
- nineteen credit hours, allocated as follows:
1. All certificate students are required to complete:
RE 501, Religious Education as Formation and Transformation (three credit hours); and CE 503, or other Contextual Education experience, in an approved placement (four credit hours)
2. Additional course requirements according to focus include the following (students must consult with the Program Chair regarding specific course offerings that may fulfill these requirements):
Christian Congregational Education:
- theology and education (three hours)
- pedagogy or educational theory (three hours)
- Bible and Education (three hours)
- other elective course in RE or approved by Program Director (three hours)
Christian Ministries with Youth
- ministry with youth (three hours)
- youth and the contemporary world (three hours)
- pastoral care and counseling (three hours)
- other elective course or internship in RE or approved by Program Director (three hours)
Religion and Academy
- pedagogy or Educational Theory (three hours)
- comparative religion or study of at least one non-Christian tradition - may be taken in the Religion Department (three hours)
- pastoral care and counseling (three hours)
- other elective course in RE or approved by Program Director (three hours)