Certificate Programs in Ministry – Union University of California

UUC’s Certificate Programs increases the effectiveness of current pastors and ministry leaders and prepares lay leaders, including church elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, mission trip leaders, denominational officers, or officers or managers in faith-based or secular organizations, to make a greater impact.

Each Certificate Program consists of four required courses and two electives – all at a masters’ level – and can be completed in a year or two. These certificate programs are valuable on-ramps into either of our Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or Master of Ministry (M.A.M.).

Admission requirements for the Certificate Programs are the same as those of the two Master’s level graduate degree programs. After completion of a certificate program, students may opt to continue their education in a Masters’ level program. Choose the best fit for you and register here.

Graduate Certificate in Christian Education

CED-501 Christian Education
EDU-501 Philosophy of Education
EDU-503 Teaching & Learning: Foundational Issues in Adult Education
SFM-501 Spiritual Life Practices: Developing A Life of Devotion

Elective: Choose any two (2) courses in 500 level courses

Certificate in Biblical & Theology Studies

BBL-501 Introduction to the Old Testament
BBL-502 Introduction to the New Testament
THL-501 Systematic Theology 1
THL-502 Systematic Theology 2

Electives: Choose any two (2) courses in 500 level courses

Graduate Certificate in Spirituality.

TH-501 Ministerial Ethics
LDR-503 Foundations of Personal Leadership
MIN-507 Understanding Vocation in a Changing World
SFM-501 Spiritual Life Practices: Developing A Life of Devotion

Elective: Choose any two (2) courses in 500 level courses

Certificate in Leadership (Currently Closed)

ETH-501 Ministerial Ethics
LDR-501 Organizational Leadership
LDR-503 Foundations of Personal Leadership Development
LDR-505 The Servant Leader as a Transformational Agent

Electives: Choose any two (2) courses in 500 level courses

FAQ’s about Graduate Certificates

What is a “graduate certificate”? As at most universities, after completion of a bachelor’s degree, leaders choose to learn more by selecting and completing a set of courses that lead to a “Graduate Certificate”.
What’s the difference between a “Graduate Certificate” and a Master’s Degree? The basic differences are the length of time, price and level of learning. The program for a graduate certificate is 18 credit hours vs. 42 for an MA and 84 for the MDiv. Since the cost of the programs is calculated per credit hour, the price of completion is relative to the number of credit hours.
Why take classes to earn a “Graduate Certificate”? Each certificate program offers Master’s level specialization for a specific sphere of Christian ministry.
What is the admission process? Admission requirements for the UUC Graduate Certificate programs are the same of those of the two Master’s level graduate degree programs