Certification courses
Certification Course Descriptions and Objectives
There are a total of seven courses required for educator certification. Although taught by a variety of instructors and in different settings, there is standard content for each. For a description of each course and its objectives, download the following document.
These courses have been approved by the Educator Certification Council as meeting their respective requirements in the educator certification process. For questions about a particular course, please contact the course provider directly.
Biblical Interpretation
Instructor: James Brashler
Dates: January 30 – February 3, 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Event: Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Annual Event
Registration: www.apcenet.org
Human Growth and Faith Development
Instructor: Kathy Dawson
Dates: January 30 – February 3, 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Event: Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Annual Event
Registration: www.apcenet.org
Biblical Interpretation
Instructor: James Platt
Dates: April 16-20, 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Course Provider: Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Continuing Education
Contact: Lori Arnold
Presbyterian Polity, Program, and Mission
Instructor: Joyce MacKichan Walker and Debbie Hough
Dates: June 30 – July 5, 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Event: PC(USA) General Assembly
Course Provider: Association of Presbyterian Church Educators
Contact: TBD
Religious Education Theory and Practice
Instructor: Cindy Kissel-Ito
Dates: July 3-7 2012
Location: Montreat, N.C.
Event: Montreat Christian Education Certification Course
Contact: Emily Causey (800) 572-2257, x332
Alternative course Options
Distance Education Courses at Dubuque Seminary
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary admits unclassified students, who can take up to 12 credits online or in residence without enrolling in a degree program. Selected M. Div. coursework from the Distance Education Program will be accepted as fulfilling requirements for Biblical Interpretation, Reformed Theology, Worship and Sacraments and Presbyterian Polity, Program and Mission at CCE level. These courses include “English Exegesis” offered each spring, “Presbyterian History and Confessions” offered every fall and summer, “Polity and Program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offered every spring and summer and “Worship in the Reformed Tradition”. CLP coursework (currently at one credit) will not fulfill the entire requirement for certification.
Extended Campus Program at Union Presbyterian Seminary
Students in the Extended Campus Program at Union Presbyterian Seminary do course work in the Master of Arts in Christian Education degree at home. They come to campus for brief sessions in the summer or winter where they interact with fellow students and faculty and participate together in worship and fellowship activities.
In addition to the approved courses, please be aware that the corresponding required courses in degree programs from PC(USA)-related seminaries will be accepted as meeting educational requirements for certification at CCE level. Electives will be considered on a course by course basis. For PC(USA) Ministers of Word and Sacrament, passing an ordination exam will meet its respective knowledge and skill area requirement in certification.
Educators seeking the Enrolled Educational Assistant level will complete coursework thorough the Opening Doors to Discipleship online training resource. EEA candidates will also meet with their Certification Advisors after completion of each of the four modules to discuss their journals and ways this course informs their educational ministry.