Christian Educator Certification

The Leadership Institute offers courses within a certificate program offered in Christian Education, in conjunction with the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s 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.

These courses are designed to increase skills and knowledge in a structured curriculum that leads to certification in that program area.

Note: Participants do not need to be seeking certification in order to take any of the courses offered. For those seeking certification, required courses are outlined in the below schedules.

Christian Educator Certification Courses

These online courses are designed to meet the requirements for Christian Educator Certification in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Courses offer both synchronous (scheduled live class meetings) and asynchronous work (at-home assignments posted on Blackboard, the seminary’s learning management system, with logins provided).

Two to three courses are offered through the seminary each academic year, with six (6) courses offered in total. 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.

Approved Christian Educator Certification courses for 2022-2023:

  • Summer 2022 Human Growth & Faith Development (Online Course) – July 11 – August 28, 2022. Course will include four online, synchronous, weekly class meetings via Zoom web-conferencing in addition to at-home online assignments. This course is to be led by Dr. Cindy Kissel-Ito, Associate Professor of Christian Education, at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Participants will need access to a computer, with external or built-in microphone and web-cam, along with a sound internet connection. Online registration has closed.
  • Fall 2022 Biblical Interpretation (Online Course) – August 29 – October 20, 2022. Course will include biweekly synchronous class meetings on Thursday evenings via Zoom web-conferencing, in addition to at-home online assignments. This course, offered under our Pathways Online Course Program, will be led by Dr. John Carroll, Professor of New Testament, at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Space will be limited, and participants will need access to a computer, with external or built-in microphone and web-cam, along with a sound internet connection. Online registration has closed.
  • Fall 2022 Presbyterian Polity, Program, and Mission (Online Course) – September 13 – November 1, 2022. Course will include weekly synchronous class meetings on Tuesday evenings via Zoom web-conferencing, in addition to at-home online assignments. This course, offered under our Pathways Online Course Program, will be led by Rev. Carson Rhyne, Adjunct Instructor of Practical Theology, at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Space will be limited, and participants will need access to a computer, with external or built-in microphone and web-cam, along with a sound internet connection. Online registration has closed.
  • Winter 2023 Worship, Sacraments, and Education (Online Course) – February 6-March 21, 2023. Course will include weekly synchronous meetings on Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Eastern Time) via Zoom web-conferencing, in addition to at-home online assignments. This course is to be led by Dr. Rebecca Davis, Associate Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Participants will need access to a computer, with an external or built-in microphone and web-cam, along with a sound internet connection. Online registration for this course has closed.
  • REGISTER NOW! Late Spring 2023, Human Growth and Faith Development (Online Course) – June 5-July 28, 2023. This intensive course will explore historical and contemporary theories of human psychological and faith development. Participants will apply these theories to teaching people of all ages in the church. Course will include four (4) synchronous class meetings on specific Tuesdays in June and July from 1:00-3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) via Zoom web-conferencing, in addition to at-home online assignments. This course is to be led by Dr. Cindy Kissel-Ito, Associate Professor of Christian Education and Director of the Master of Arts in Christian Education Program of Union Presbyterian Seminary. Space will be limited and participants will need access to a computer with external or built-in microphone and web-cam, along with a sound internet connection. For more information or to start a registration, click here.

Additional Christian Educator Certification courses slated for 2023

  • Religious Education Theory and Practice (August-October 2023) – Registration to open summer 2023
  • Polity and Administration (Fall 2023) – Registration to open summer 2023
  • Biblical Interpretation (Fall 2023) – Registration to open summer 2023

 

Previous courses offered within the 2021-2022 academic year:

  • Fall 2021 Reformed Theology (Online Course)
  • Spring 2022 Biblical Interpretation (Online Course)
  • Spring 2022 Religious Education Theory & Practice (Online Course)

 

Note:  Participants do not need to be seeking certification to take any of these courses.