Candler School of Theology
Requirements
Certificate in Religious Education
Students in both the Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies degree programs may earn certification in one of three sub-areas to fulfill their goals of educational leadership in congregations, schools, and communities. These include: Youth Ministry, Religion in the Academy, and Christian Congregational Education. The Certificate Program in Religious Education seeks to equip persons for teaching and learning in faith communities, schools, and wider society. It is designed for Candler MDiv and MTS students who see some aspect of religious education as central to their vocational identity, primarily in relation to three distinct but related tracks:
Christian Congregational Education
For students desiring to prepare for the educational dimensions of congregational ministry. Includes, but not limited to, students seeking to complete the academic requirements of the United Methodist Church for certification in Christian Education.
Religion and Academy
Prepares students for secondary and post-secondary academic teaching, campus ministry, or other ministries in academic contexts.
Ministries with Youth
Prepares students for a range of ministries with youth in congregations, communities, and schools. Helps prepare United Methodist students to meet requirements for the Youth Ministry Certificate in the United Methodist Church.
Certificate Requirements:
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:
- participation in at least one professional conference (RE 507, 0 credit hours) sponsored or approved by the Religious Education Program
- participation in at least one Religious Education Program retreat (RE 504, 0 credit hours)
- 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.
Christian Congregational Education:
- RE/NT 540(CEE): Teaching the Bible or RE 621 Creativity and Pedagogy (3 hours)
- Any course in Leadership and Administration (LA 501: Introduction to Church Administration & Leadership, LA 503(CE): Leading the Congregation, LA 505: Leading the Small Membership Church, LA 612: Leadership & Administration in Black Church Traditions, LA 613: Women in Religious Leadership & Administration, LA 645: Nonprofit Leadership & Management, or LA 698: Special Topics in Leadership & Administration) (3 credit hours)
- 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
- 6 credit hours in Youth Ministry courses, including RE 619: Modernity, Meaning and Youth Ministry, RE 525R: Issues in Educational Ministries with Youth, RE 698Y: Youth Ministry from the Ground Up (1 credit hour course), and RE 658R: YTI Fall Internship
- PC 501(CE): (Contextualized) Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling, PC 610: Crisis Ministry, PC 628: Care for Marginalized Populations, or a Pastoral Care elective approved by Religious Education Program Director as relevant for ministries with youth. (3 credit hours)
- 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
- Course in pedagogy or educational theory (3 credit hours). Choose from: RE/CC 632: Community Ministries as Religious Education, RE 605: Dynamics of Difference, RE/NT 540(CEE): Teaching the Bible, RE619: Meaning, Modernity, and Youth Ministry, RE 621: Creativity & Pedagogy, RE 525R: Issues in Youth Ministry, ES 671: Skills in Conflict Transformation, or HT 634CEE: Teaching Spiritual Classics.
- 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 74 of the Candler catalog.
- PC 501(CE): (Contextualized) Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling or Pastoral Care and Counseling (PC) Elective (3 credit hours)
- 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 Religious Education Certificate program, interested students must complete a Certificate Enrollment form with the Candler Registrar.