National Certificate Program in Youth Ministry Studies

The Program

The Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies is a ministry education program for those in ministry with youth, ages 10-19, in both parish and school settings. It equips leaders with the knowledge, skills, practical tools and techniques needed for creative and comprehensive ministry with youth.

The Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies program includes eight courses offered in a weekend format over a two-year period. The aim of the program is to promote personal, spiritual and ministerial growth. The first year courses cover youth ministry principles and practices, leadership theory, processes, and skills. Courses in the second year focus on fostering the faith growth of youth through pastoral care, justice and service, prayer and worship, and evangelization and catechesis.

The courses for the 2010-2011 Academic Year are as follows:

November 13-14, 2010
Pastoral Care
Sr. Carolyn Coll (Instructor)

January 8-9, 2011
Justice & Service
Sean Lansing

April 2-3, 2011
Evangelization & Catechesis
Tom East

May 21-22, 2011
Prayer & Worship
Susan Searle

****To download a welcome letter and application please follow this link!

Participants

This program has been designed for persons involved professionally or as volunteers with younger (10-14) or older (14-19) adolescents in a parish or school setting. The program is geared toward: Coordinators of Youth Ministry, Coordinators of Confirmation, Directors of Religious Education, Youth Ministry Volunteer Leaders, Junior High Leaders, High School Campus Ministers and Teachers, and Clergy.

Certification

A Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies is awarded by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to students who:

participate in all eight courses;
complete the Certificate Assignments and Learning Journal for each course;
submit their assignments and Learning Journal by September 15 following completion of their final course.

Up to eight units for credit are available through Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles for completed programs (1 unit per course). College fees per unit also apply.

Location & Schedule

All the classes are held at the San Fernando Regional Office, 15101 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Mission Hills, CA 91345.

For more information or to request an application, please contact Mike Norman at mnorman@la-archdiocese.org or (213) 637 7674.

Hours for the two-day weekend course are:

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fees

Individual Rates: $150 per weekend course (includes books, handouts, materials and hospitality).

Group Rates: $300 per weekend (includes workshop for whole team and one set of books and materials) for up to four participants per team.

Courses may be taken toward certification, or may be taken individually for in-service.

Meals

Meals: Morning and afternoon hospitality will be provided. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch or bring money to go to lunch in the surrounding area.

First Year Courses

Principles of Youth Ministry

Principles of Youth Ministry presents the foundational understandings and principles for developing effective, comprehensive ministry with young and older adolescents. It presents the vision and principles for comprehensive youth ministry and a model for developing youth ministry which incorporates developmentally appropriate youth programming, strengthens family life, involves young people as integral members of the faith community, and collaborates with civic organizations in a common effort to promote positive youth development.

Practices of Youth Ministry

Practices of Youth Ministry explores the development of comprehensive youth ministry through the collaborateive sharing of the resources in the community. Rooted in a theological and pastoral vision of community life, this course develops foundational understandings that will assist leaders in setting and implementing a vision for dynamic ministry with youth. this will include skills for advocacy, planning, and organizing youth ministry efforts. Methods for collaborative leadership among ministries and within ministry teams will also be developed.

Foundations for Ministry Leadership

Foundations of Ministry Leadership explores the theology, principles, and practices of effective leadership in Christian ministry. Participants will explore current leadership concepts and approaches, as well as Christian perspectives on leadership. Participants will also learn how to empower individuals and teams of leaders for ministry with youth. The course combines theory presentation with experiential learning as participants explore (a) leadership theory and assessment of styles for effective leadership; (b) theological and pastoral foundations for understanding leadership and empowerment; and (c) processes and tools for inviting, preparing, and nurturing adult and youth leaders in ministry.

Skills for Christian Leadership

Skills for Christian Leadership addresses the theories and skills needed for principle centered centered leadership in ministry. Participants will develop a practical, workingunderstanding of leadership process and skills and the experiential ability to use the skills. the course stresses the application of leadership skills to various ministry settings, problems, and issues.

Second Year Courses

Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Evangelization and Catechesis
Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Prayer and Worship
Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Justice and Service
Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Pastoral Care