Certification for educators
Educator Certification Council Meetings and Exam Deadlines
Spring 2013 Exam Reading Deadline: February 28, 2013
Educator Certification Committee Spring Meeting: April 11-13, 2013
Fall 2013 Exam Reading Deadline: October 3, 2013
Educator Certification Committee Fall Meeting: November 14-16, 2013
Educators reflect on their experience in the certification process
“My awareness of myself as a Christian educator has been strengthened as I have been challenged to reach for this level of professional accomplishment. My desire for excellence in my calling to Christian education remains.”
“A brilliant part of the certification process is having ‘seasoned’ educators with whom I can share and receive ideas that will only strengthen my calling as a Church Educator.”
"Thank you for this opportunity to reflect, to stretch and to be affirmed in this important ministry.”
“I love being a Christian educator and feel called to the ministry of education. I’m not sure where God is taking me, but I am excited.”
Certification for Christian educators recognizes the preparation and performance of persons serving as church educators in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), sets standards for Christian educators, and provides support for professional development. This process is an affirmation of the importance of education to the total ministry of the Church.
The process toward educator certification includes several steps
Application for Educator Certification
If you are interested in finding out more about the educator certification process and plan to submit an application, read this overview.
Download an application for Certified Christian Educator or Christian Education Associate once you have determined the level at which you will enter. The applications are fillable PDF forms and should be filled out electronically. Applications must be completed on Adobe Reader 9 or above. Do not use the built-in application found on your computer. If you do not have, or are unsure if you have, Adobe Reader 9 or above, you can install it from Adobe's website. When completed and saved as a PDF, application should be submitted electronically to Martha.Miller@pcusa.org.
To become connected to an Education Certification Advisor in your presbytery or a surrounding presbytery, if necessary, use this presbytery map and this list of presbytery-approved Educator Certification Advisors. This connection is required at the time of application.
Educator Certification Courses
Requirements for educator certification include fulfilling knowledge and skill area coursework. As courses are approved, they are added here and are listed by date, subject and location.
Already a certified educator?
Update your contact information.
Certification advisors
Educator Certification Advisors are appointed by the presbytery and approved by the Educator Certification Committee. Resources, including the Educator Certification Handbook and an online training components are available.
Educator Certification Committee
The Educator Certification Committee (ECC) is the elected body charged with establishing the certification standards, evaluating certification exams, and approving Educator Certification Advisors.
Current members of the ECC are:
- Class of 2014: Craig Foster, Don Griggs, Medora Hix, Debbie Hough
- Class of 2016: Hugh Anderson, Susan Sharp Campbell, Sung Hee Chang, Kathy Dawson, Mary Marcotte
- Appointed by Union Presbyterian Seminary: Cindy Kissel-Ito
- Appointed by Association of Presbyterian Church Educators: Priscilla Andre-Colton
- Office of Vocation Staff: Martha Miller, ex-officio member
Members of the Committee are nominated through the General Assembly Nominating Committee process. To apply for nomination, visit the nominations website.
Find the list of certified Christian educators in the PC(USA) here
Spread the word about Certification
Do you know an educator who is considering certification or who needs more information about the process? An educator certification bookmark may be just what is needed. Order these free bookmarks that introduce the process.
Order Educator Certification Bookmarks
PDS # OGA07054.
For a larger quantity, contact the Office of Certification.
