Certification Programs

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 recognition that an individual has met the required standards for academic training, experience, and continuing study necessary to achieve and maintain professional excellence.

Certification is a program of The United Methodist Church for persons, called to specific ministries, to gain advanced training and endorsement for their church vocation.

It 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.  Complete standards and requirements are available from the Board's Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministry at 615-340-7375, deacons@gbhem.org, or www.gbhem.org.

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.

Certification courses grant academic credit to enrolled Certification candidates on the professional track, which requires an earned bachelor's degree.  Academic credit for certification courses is generally not applicable toward current Perkins graduate degree course requirements.  Each course earns 2 hours of credit.

Perkins offers courses in these certification programs:

• Christian Education
• Church Music
• Youth Ministry