Christian Educator Certification

The Leadership Institute offers courses within a certificate program in Christian Education in conjunction with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Educator Certification program. To learn more about the certification process and how to apply to become a Certified Christian Educator (CCE) through the PC(USA), click here. To view the PC (USA) Educator Certification Handbook 2025, click here.

These courses are designed to meet the six required content areas for PCUSA Certification: Biblical Interpretation, Reformed Theology, Faith and Human Development, Religious Education Theory and Practices, Worship and Sacraments, and Presbyterian Polity, Program and Mission.

The Leadership Institute offers all six courses in an 18 month rotation so those seeking certification with the PCUSA can complete their required course work and additional denominational requirements within two years.

Note: Participants do not need to be seeking certification in order to take any of the courses offered.

For those seeking certification, courses are outlined in the schedule below.

Christian Educator Courses

Courses offer both synchronous (scheduled live class meetings) and asynchronous work (at-home assignments posted on the seminary’s learning management system, with logins provided). The fee for course registration is $275. Registration closes roughly one week before the beginning of the course.

A participant who completes all of the course work will receive a certificate of completion with 3 CEUs for each individual course.

Course Syllabus: The course syllabus is shared after participants register and before the course begins.

Please Note: We are currently transitioning our course platform from Blackboard to Canvas. During this transition, you may notice that some registration pages look different from others. Thank you for your patience! If you have any questions or encounter any issues, please contact Deborah Keyes at dkeyes@upsem.edu.

 

Christian Educator Certification online courses slated for 2026

  • Worship and Sacraments (February 2026) – Register HERE
  • Human Growth and Faith Development (May 2026) – Learn more and register HERE
  • Biblical Interpretation (August 2026)
  • Religious Education Theory and Practice (October 2026)

Christian Educator Certification online courses slated for 2027

  • Presbyterian Polity, Program, and Mission (April 2027)
  • Reformed Theology (June 2027)
  • Worship and Sacraments (August 2027)
  • Human Growth and Faith Development (October 2027)

Christian Educator Certification online courses slated for 2028

  • Biblical Interpretation (February 2028)
  • Religious Education Theory and Practice (May 2028)
  • Reformed Theology (August 2028)
  • Presbyterian Polity, Program, and Mission (October 2028)

Christian Educator Certification online courses slated for 2029

  • Worship and Sacraments (April 2029)
  • Human Growth and Faith Development (June 2029)
  • Biblical Interpretation (August 2029)
  • Religious Education Theory and Practice (October 2029)