Certificate Requirements
The Program for Women in Theology and Ministry (WTM) seeks to promote scholarship and programs which support, collaborate with, and advocate for women and their religious communities as they are called by God into diverse ministries.
In preparing for ministry, whether in the church or larger community, many students desire to explore gender issues. Many seek new ways to think theologically and transform the practice of ministry, whether in religious communities, higher education, or public service in the world. Others struggle with vocational discernment, structures of denominational and academic hierarchy, and issues of professional identity and authority. Because of these many yearnings, Candler School of Theology offers many courses and special events for women and men. These give opportunity to study, to reflect critically and creatively, and to celebrate women in theology and ministry.
Candler has also established the Women in Theology and Ministry Certificate Program, designed for students who wish to explore with special depth and concentration the traditions, issues, and possibilities of women in theology and ministry. The basic requirements of the program are outlined below.
Enrollment: A student who wishes to enroll in the WTM Certificate Program does so with the Registrar’s Office, using the forms provided by the Registrar (also available in the WTM Office). This should be done on or before September 30 of the student’s second year of study (in the case of MDiv and MTS) or, in the case of ThM students, on or before September 30 of their first year. At the same time or soon after, you are asked to register your intentions with the Director of Women in Theology and Ministry by: (1) completing the Declaration Form for the Certificate Program; (2) completing a proposed covenant agreement that describes your purposes and learning goals for the program (including your initial plans for contextual education); and (3) meeting with the WTM Director to discuss and finalize your covenant agreement. Revisions to the covenant may also be made later if your goals shift during the course of your studies; simply consult with the WTM Director and revise your covenant to fit your new goals.
Use the following link to download the Declaration Form:
- Declaration Form
[PDF 6K]
Visit the following pages for step-by-step enrollment and program completion procedures:
Retreat: The retreat is open to everyone. Its primary purposes are to enjoy a time apart for spiritual enrichment and to build a network of support among women. For students in the WTM Certificate Program, attendance at one of these annual retreats is required as part of the Certificate Program.
Contextual Education: At the end of the first year and in preparation for the second, all MDiv and MTS Certificate students develop an ecclesial placement (MDiv) or a contextual course, internship, or research (MTS). MDiv students develop the placement with the Director of Contextual Education, and plan to include some attention to gender as part of the placement ministry. MTS students develop their placements in collaboration with the Director of WTM and Director of Advanced Studies, focusing the placement in a direction that serves their vocational and scholarly goals. At the end of the second month of study, ThM students plan their special pattern of contextual requirements in consultation with the Director of WTM and Director of Advanced Studies. In all degree programs, the contextual placement gives opportunity to attend to some aspect of women’s lives as well as to fulfill other responsibilities of the placement. Students participate in the monthly WTM Reflection Seminar during this contextual year.
Required Course: A three-hour course, "Global Feminisms and Christian Tradition," is required of all students enrolled in the program, preferably before the halfway point of the student’s degree program. This course explores critical issues related to women in Christian theological traditions; attention is also given to skills for retrieving, analyzing, critiquing and reshaping those traditions. It is open to all Candler students.
WTM Colloquy: Students enrolled in the WTM Certificate Program are required to participate, for one hour of credit with an S/U grading option, in a weekly semester-long colloquy, during the spring semester of their final year.
Elective Courses: At least nine credit hours of approved elective courses in women in theology and ministry are required for certification. Courses taken as part of the degree program, but before formal enrollment in the Certificate Program, may be counted toward the Certificate. Some elective courses fill requirements of students’ degree programs, and some are free electives. Students are strongly encouraged to do at least one of their electives in a course devoted primarily to women’s issues and perspectives. They are also encouraged to consider elective courses at the 500 level or above through the Emory Institute of Women’s Studies (especially the Colloquium) and area seminaries of the Atlanta Theological Association, as well as Candler courses. Click here for a list of courses approved as electives and requirements for the WTM Certificate. This list is also available through the Women in Theology and Ministry office (7A Bishops Hall).