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 Committee as meeting their respective requirements in the educator certification process. For questions about a particular course, please contact the course provider directly.
PC(USA) POLITY, PROGRAM AND MISSION
Instructor: Joyce MacKichan Walker
Dates: July 2-6, 2013
Location: Montreat, NC
Course Provider: Montreat Conference Center
Contact: Susana Akduman
Worship and Sacraments
Instructor: Michael Waschevski
Dates: September 16-20, 2013
Location: First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth Texas
Course Provider: South Central Region of APCE
Contact: Sue Suneson
Phone: 214-368-6348 x 152
Religious education theory and practice
Instructors: Joyce MacKichan Walker
Dates: October 21-25, 2013
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Course Provider: Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Continuing Education
Contact: Lori Arnold
Worship and sacraments
Instructor: TBA
Dates: January 27-31, 2014
Location: San Jose, California
Event: Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Annual Event
Course Provider: APCE
Contact: Karen VanGalder
Registration: www.apcenet.org
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. Please note: Worship and Sacraments will be taught in Spring 2013 (April 8-June 29 with an on-campus session of 6 days June 10-15) by Dr Sung Hee Chang
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 Christian Education Associate level (formerly Enrolled Educational Assistant) will complete coursework through the Opening Doors to Discipleship online training resource. CEA 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.
