Certificate in Foundations for Leadership in Ministry

Return to Certificate Programs

Audience

  • Current ministerial leaders who have never had systematic training for leadership
  • Potential ministerial leaders with pastoral experience who desire to move into leadership positions
  • Pastoral leaders who desire to update themselves with contemporary pastoral leadership training

Prerequisites

  • All of the courses in the Prerequisite Track must be completed before applying for the first level of the actual certificate program.
  • The Prerequisite Track is not a certificate program, therefore there is no application fee, and a certificate of completion is not given for the Prerequisite Track.
  • However, normal fees apply for each course taken in this track, and a course certificate is awarded for each completed course.
  • You are responsible for self-registering for all courses.
  • Register for the Prerequisite Track at the bottom of this page.

Prerequisite Track Courses

The following Prerequisite Track courses may be taken in any order. Successfully complete the required work for each course including the additional certificate exercises in each session of the course.

  1. Theological Reflection: Key to Connecting Faith and Life
  2. Survey of Catholic Doctrine
  3. Introduction to Scripture
  4. Foundations for Liturgy OR Introduction to Liturgy
  5. New Testament
  6. Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the Church

Requirements

  1. Apply for and complete the Prerequisite Track above.
  2. After the Prerequisite Track has been completed, apply for and complete Level I of the certificate program.
    • Complete the application form (use the link found below) and pay the $20.00 / $35.00 fee.
    • Successfully complete the required work for each course including the additional certificate exercises in each session of the course.
    • It is recommended that the courses in each level be taken in sequence.
    • Normal course and seminar fees apply.
    • You are responsible for self-registering for all courses.
  3. After Level I has been completed, apply for and complete Level II of the certificate program.
    • Complete the application form (use the link found below) and pay the $20.00 / $35.00 fee.
    • Successfully complete the required work for each course including the additional certificate exercises in each session of the course.
    • It is recommended that the courses in each level be taken in sequence.
    • Normal course and seminar fees apply.
    • You are responsible for self-registering for all courses.
  4. Up to two courses taken with a diocese may be applied toward the Certificate in Foundations for Leadership in Ministry. The Diocesan Catechetical Leader is required to submit a letter and course syllabus to the Director of the VLCFF indicating that the selected course/s was/were equivalent to 2.5 CEUs (25 clock hours of work) and met the equivalent VLCFF course objectives.
  5. It is your responsibility to keep track of your progress in the program: Keep track of the courses you have taken, and when you have finished the program, contact Richard Drabik with your request for your certificate of completion.

Required Courses

  • Prerequisite courses must be completed before applying for Level I.
  • Level I courses must be completed before applying for Level II.
  • Formation courses should precede Method courses in each Level.
  • Courses may be taken separately if not pursuing total certificate.
  • When Level II courses have been completed, contact Richard Drabik for the Capstone Course.

  • Level I Courses

    • Theology

      1. Christology
      2. Ecclesiology: Pilgrim Church

    • Formation

      1. Vocation to Ministry

    • Methods

      1. Communication and Community
      2. Collaboration and Community

  • Level II Courses

    • Theology

      1. Ecclesiology: Reframing Church
      2. Morality (Christian or Practical Morality)

    • Formation

      1. Pastoral Approach to Culture

    • Methods

      1. Leadership in Ministry
      2. Administration in Ministry

    • Capstone Course

      1. Church: Living System and Sacrament

Textbooks

For required texts, please refer to the Course Catalog and note the descriptions for each course.

Register

If you are new to the VLCFF, please complete a user profile (in the Become a New Student page, click the link to create your profile). You must be logged in to see the registration link.