Program Description:
The purpose of the pastoral ministry certificate program is to prepare individuals for ministry in today's church and society. The program integrates three necessary competencies for effective ministry: faith-based spirituality, theological depth and pastoral experience.

Students may acquire the certificate either with or without a baccalaureate degree, or while pursuing the masters of arts degree in theology. Specific components of the certificate program required for all students are:

1. A learning contract, through which the student identifies ministry goals and concrete objectives to attain them.
2. Required courses as noted below:
   
   B.A. NON-THEOLOGY MAJORS AND CERTIFICATE ONLY STUDENTS
Six courses to include:
THEO 210 New Testament Studies
THEO 240 The Identity and Mission of Jesus Christ
THEO 260 The Mystery Called Church or THEO 280 Christian Sacramentality
THEO 220 Christian Ethics or THEO 285 Social Justice: A Christian Perspective
THEO 302 Pastoral Theology
THEO 306 Issues in Pastoral Theology
THEO 475 Practicum (see # 3 below)

B.A. THEOLOGY MAJORS
Courses for the theology major must include:
THEO 302 Pastoral Theology
THEO 306 Issues in Pastoral Theology
THEO 475 Practicum (see # 3 below)

M.A. DEGREE-SEEKING OR GRADUATE CERTIFICATE ONLY STUDENTS
Four graduate theology four-credit courses, including at least one from each sequence: scriptural, systematics and spirituality
THEO 602 Pastoral Theology
THEO 606 Issues in Pastoral Theology
THEO 775 Practicum OR THEO 776 Practicum

3. Theological Field Education is a supervised internship in a pastoral setting. As a form of internship, it is arranged by the student with prior consultation with the Pastoral Ministry Certificate coordinator. The student's practicum contract identifies whether she or he registers for THEO 475 (undergraduate level) or 775 or 776 (graduate level). Registration for the credit is required for certificate only students. Students seeking a bachelor's or master's degree are not required to register for credit but must complete an approved ministry practicum experience within their time of study.
4. The ministry portfolio, through which students demonstrate professional skills and an integrated understanding of their personal role in ministry.