Religious Education Ministries
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 Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theological Studies (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: (1) Christian Congregational Education; (2) Christian Ministries with Youth; or (3) Religion and Academy.
The first track 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. The second track, Ministries with Youth, enables students to meet United Methodist Church requirements for the youth ministry certificate and/or to prepare for a range of ministries with youth in and beyond the congregation. The third track, Religion and Academy, prepares students for campusministry, academic teaching, or other ministries in academic contexts. Requirements for the Certificate may be met within a student’s program of study. For MDiv. students, they can be taken as part of concentrations and do not need to add an extra course burden. For all tracks, they include:
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Participation in at least one professional conference (RE507, 0 credit hours) sponsored or approved by the Religious Education Program
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Participation in at least one Religious Education Program retreat (RE504, 0 credit hours)
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Nineteen credit hours, allocated as follows:
- RE501/501CE, (Contextualized). Religious Education as Formation and Transformation (3 credit hours);
- Contextualized educational ministry experience: Contextual Education II for M. Div students; placement approved by Religious Education Program Director for MTS students. This placement may include serving on the staff of the Youth Theological Initiative Summer Academy. (4 credit hours).
- Additional course requirements according to focus listed below.
Get more information about the Religious Education Program.
Christian Congregational Education Track
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RE/NT540(CEE): Teaching the Bible or RE621 Creativity and Pedagogy (3 hours)
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Any course in Leadership and Administration (LA501. Introduction to Church Administration & Leadership, LA503(CE). Leading the Congregation; LA505. Leading the Small Membership Church; LA612. Leadership & Administration in Black Church Traditions; LA613. Women in Religious Leadership & Administration; LA645. Nonprofit Leadership & Management; or LA698. Special Topics in Leadership & Administration) (3 credit hours)
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Two elective courses in Religious Education. One of these may be from list of approved courses in other areas of the curriculum that relate to Religious Education. Refer to the approved elective list for options. Contact candlerregistrar@emory.edu with any questions.
Christian Ministries with Youth Track
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6 credit hours in Youth Ministry courses, including RE619. Modernity, Meaning and Youth Ministry; RE525R. Issues in Educational Ministries with Youth; RE698Y. Youth Ministry from the Ground Up (1 credit hour course); and RE658R. YTI Fall Internship
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PC501(CE). Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling; PC610. Crisis Ministry; PC628. Care for Marginalized Populations; or a Pastoral Care elective approved by Religious Education Program Director as relevant for ministries with youth. (3 credit hours)
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Other elective course or internship in Religious Education or from list of approved electives. Refer to the approved elective list for options. Contact candlerregistrar@emory.edu with any questions. Contact the Director of the Religious Education Certificate for internship site approval. The internship can include serving as staff for YTI Summer Academy. (3 credit hours).
Religion and the Academy Track
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Course in pedagogy or educational theory (3 credit hours). Choose from: RE/CC632. Community Ministries as Religious Education; RE605. Dynamics of Difference; RE/ NT540(CEE). Teaching the Bible; RE619. Meaning, Modernity, and Youth Ministry; RE621. Creativity & Pedagogy; RE525R. Issues in Youth Ministry; ES671. Skills in Conflict Transformation; or HT634CEE. Teaching Spiritual Classics.
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Comparative religion or study of at least one religious tradition other than Christianity. World Religions (WR) courses will meet this requirement. (3 credit hours) (May be taken in the Emory College Department of Religion, refer to the Candler policy regarding enrollment in undergraduate courses on page 80 of the Candler catalog.
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PC501(CE). Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling or Pastoral Care and Counseling (PC) Elective (3 credit hours)
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Other elective course or internship in Religious Education or from list of approved electives. Refer to the approved elective list for options. Contact candlerregistrar@emory.edu with any questions.
To participate in the program, interested students must submit an Application for Certificate Enrollment with the Candler Registrar. Additional details about the RE certificate including a list of approved classes can be found on the Religious Education Program Page.
For additional information, contact Certificate Director Jennifer Ayres at jrayres@emory.edu or 404.727.6329.