United Methodist Certification
United Methodist Certification in Ministry Careers is for Christian educators, youth workers, and musicians who seek to serve the church with excellence. Certification is the church's method of recognizing that an individual has met the required standards for academic training, experience, and continuing study necessary to achieve and maintain professional excellence. Perkins School of Theology offers several certifications as part of its degree programs. We also United Methodist certifications and other certificates either for credit or not for credit. Details regarding certifications related to degree programs may be found under degree programs. Additional information regarding UMC certifications and other cerficates are found within this section.
UMC Certifications
Certification is available to laypersons, ordained deacons and elders, and diaconal ministers who meet the standards set by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Complete standards and requirements are available from the Board's Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministries.
Candidates complete five certification courses, providing academic experience in professional or paraprofessional tracks. Candidates are certified by their Annual Conference through its Board of Ordained Ministry in cooperation with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Registration for certification courses on the professional track requires an earned bachelor's degree as a prerequisite. Candidates for certification on the professional track receive academic credit for coursework. Each course earns two hours of credit. Credits are generally not applicable toward current Perkins graduate degree course requirements. Persons on the paraprofessional track receive certification credit through the General Board, but do not receive academic credit.
Perkins offers courses in the following certification programs:
* Christian Education
* Church Music
* Youth Ministry