An ICSST certificate attests to the completion of a substantial and coherent program of learning, involving 12 to 24 credits in a given area of study, without completion of all the requirements for a degree program. A certificate program allows students to finish a discrete program of learning and obtain a credential. Some students may use a certificate program as a way of "testing the waters" prior to and/or en route to completion of a degree program. A certificate can be earned concurrently with a degree.
| CATECHETICAL MINISTRY | PASTORAL MINISTRY | SCRIPTURE STUDIES | CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY | YOUTH MINISTRY |
CATECHETICAL MINISTRY
For: Persons working or seeking to work in the fields of catechetics/
religious education.
Admissions Policy: Students must meet the same requirements as the M.A.
in Pastoral Ministry program, except that the GRE/MAT and psychological
testing are not required.
Course Requirements: Six courses (18 credits), four from core courses
and two electives.
Core Courses: (12 credits) PTHO 6301, 6323, 6325, 9101.
Electives: 6 credits in catechetics courses or related courses approved
by the adviser, e.g., PTHO 6339, 6340, 6341, 6342, 6343, 6515, 6644,
6646, 6938, 6942.
PASTORAL MINISTRY
For: Persons working or seeking to work in pastoral ministry settings
broadly considered.
Admissions Requirements: Students must meet the same requirements as
the M.A. in Pastoral Ministry program, except that the GRE/MAT and
psychological testing are not required.
Course Requirements: 24 credits, divided in such a way that there are
three credits in each of the following areas: (1) scripture; (2)
liturgy/sacraments; (3) Church history; (4) Church/ministry; (5) moral
theology; (6) ministry skills; and six additional credits in courses in
pastoral ministry. The selection of particular courses and their
assignment to each of the requirement areas is to be done with the
approval of the student's academic adviser.
SCRIPTURE STUDIES
For: Persons working or seeking to work in religious education, catechetics or leading parish Scripture study groups; also for persons
wanting to extend and deepen their personal knowledge of Sacred
Scripture.
Admissions Requirements: Students must meet the same requirements as the
M.A. in Pastoral Ministry program, except that the GRE/MAT and
psychological testing are not required.
Course Requirements: Students select one of two possible tracks:
Scripture or Bible Teaching. Both tracks require the completion of 18
credits. For the Scripture track, students must complete 9 required
credits (BIBL 6201, 6501 and 6505) plus any 9 additional BIBL credits.
For the Bible Teaching track, students must complete 12 required credits
(BIBL 6201, 6501, 6505; PTHO 6301) plus an additional six. These
six credits may be all in BIBL courses, or divided among three additional credits in BIBL courses
and three credits in appropriate catechetics courses chosen in
conjunction with one's adviser. Both tracks require submission of a
final paper (approximately 20 pages) to a permanent faculty member of
the program. For Scripture track students, the paper must attest to
integration of course work across the various subjects studied. For
Scripture and Bible Teaching track students, the paper must demonstrate
integration of scriptural knowledge with sound catechetical application.
CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
For: Persons interested in a systematic and theoretical grounding in
Christian spirituality; persons working in spiritual direction or
associated with centers involved in the area of spirituality, campus
ministers; adult educators; formation personnel; RCIA leaders; retreat
leaders; and clergy.
Admissions Requirements: Students must meet the same requirements as the
M.A. in Pastoral Ministry program, except that the GRE/MAT and
psychological testing are not required.
Course Requirements: 18 credits, 12 of which must be in HSTD 6310 or
PTHO 6726; PTHO 6728 or STHO 6728; PTHO 6754; and PTHO 9101; 6 elective
credits, including 3 credits in the area of theology and spirituality
(e.g., PTHO 6732) and 3 credits in particular areas of spirituality
(e.g., PTHO 6724, 6742-46).
YOUTH MINISTRY
For: Persons working / seeking to work in youth ministry, religious
education, catechetics or other programs involved with adolescents and
young people.
Admissions Requirements: Students must meet the same requirements as the
M.A. in Pastoral Ministry program, except that the GRE/MAT and
psychological testing are not required.
Course Requirements: 12 credits, consisting of PTHO 6644, 6645, 6646 and
6647. These courses are offered over a two year cycle at the rate of one
course per semester. Courses meet intensively on a Saturday and Sunday
twice in a given semester. Students may enter the cycle at the beginning
of any semester, but must complete all four semesters to earn the
certificate. Since these courses are offered in conjunction with the
Center for Ministry Development of Naugatuck, Connecticut, completion of
the cycle also renders the student eligible to receive the Center's
certificate, conferred concurrently with Seton Hall's.