Through our Certificate in Christian Education, you will study with one of the top Christian Education departments in the nation and develop skills for the practice of Christian education with adults, youth, and children in a wide variety of settings
The Certificate in Christian Education is a 15 credit hour program with the following required courses:
3 Credit Hours
In this course, participants will engage critical, creative, liberative approaches to reading and teaching the Bible in communities of faith. We will explore reading strategies from the margins, particularly as articulated by racial/ethnic biblical scholarship. Synthesizing this exploration of critical methods of biblical interpretation with knowledge of developmental and learning theories, we will construct teaching strategies for Bible studies that would enliven transformative, transgressive biblical faith.
3 Credit Hours
Examines the task of the pastor and educator as theological educators in the community of faith, relating theology, and teaching methods for the life and mission of the church.
3 Credit Hours
This advanced course in Christian education considers the relationship between the church’s educational ministry and the ministries of social transformation. The course will examine personal commitments to social transformation, theologies of change, and educational skills for transformation.
3 Credit Hours
The aim of this course will be to broaden our understanding of Christian education and its role in engaging in spiritual development and faith formation with youth. The course will explore the human development and culture of today’s youth, the context necessary for spiritual development to take place, and various pedagogical models that can be used to guide youth from adolescence to young adulthood.
3 Credit Hours
Examine, engage, reflect, and expand the understanding of critical pedagogies, assessing how they can effectively help to interpret reality and encourage communities to meet the challenges of contemporary society. Becoming a critical, caring, and articulate educator who can use their skills to monitor and interpret the main trends and needs of local communities and society, in general, by using resources that cooperatively can contribute to social and community change. Cultivate critical self-understanding and enhance existing skills by applying newly acquired knowledge and abilities to develop pedagogical approaches that are emancipatory and liberating at the local and/or community level.
Through the Certificate in Christian Education UMC Professional Certification Track, you will earn both a Certificate in Christian Education from Garrett and complete the necessary academic courses set by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church for their professional certification in Christian education. Students on this track will take the following courses:
3 Credit Hours
In this course, participants will engage critical, creative, liberative approaches to reading and teaching the Bible in communities of faith. We will explore reading strategies from the margins, particularly as articulated by racial/ethnic biblical scholarship. Synthesizing this exploration of critical methods of biblical interpretation with knowledge of developmental and learning theories, we will construct teaching strategies for Bible studies that would enliven transformative, transgressive biblical faith.
3 Credit Hours
Examines the task of the pastor and educator as theological educators in the community of faith, relating theology, and teaching methods for the life and mission of the church.
3 Credit Hours
This advanced course in Christian education considers the relationship between the church’s educational ministry and the ministries of social transformation. The course will examine personal commitments to social transformation, theologies of change, and educational skills for transformation.
3 Credit Hours
Examine, engage, reflect, and expand the understanding of critical pedagogies, assessing how they can effectively help to interpret reality and encourage communities to meet the challenges of contemporary society. Becoming a critical, caring, and articulate educator who can use their skills to monitor and interpret the main trends and needs of local communities and society, in general, by using resources that cooperatively can contribute to social and community change. Cultivate critical self-understanding and enhance existing skills by applying newly acquired knowledge and abilities to develop pedagogical approaches that are emancipatory and liberating at the local and/or community level.
You will need to take one of the following 3 credit hour courses:
I believe the purpose of Christian education is to be emancipatory, to set people free to be children of God and co-creators with God.
Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount
Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership, and Culture
Through my interdisciplinary approach to education, my areas of interest range from Paulo Freire’s work, critical pedagogy, global citizenship, intercultural and postcolonial studies, cultural-historical theory activity (Lev Vygotsky), and liberation theologies.
Dr. Débora Junker
Associate Professor of Critical Pedagogies
As a former public school teacher, an ordained deacon who is called to ministries of compassion and justice, a seminary professor, an aunt and great-aunt, and as a Christian who tries to live out my baptismal vows, I have a great concern for children – all children.
Rev. Dr. Virginia Lee
Associate Professor of Christian Education
I consider learning a risk-taking (and inevitably painful) adventure in which we pursue knowledge (information), ground self in foundations of integrity (formation), and commit to live and act in ways that ensures essential well-being for all and for this planet (transformation).
Rev. Dr. Mai-Anh Le Tran
Associate Professor of Religious Education and Practical Theology
Garrett accepts applications from students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and who are proficient in the English language.
