Continuing Education in Ministry
“Although the Catholic Church has provided guidance to its followers for nearly 2,000 years, only recently has it made efforts to work directly with youth. Youth ministry is emerging as a viable career path for those interested in merging their faith with their passion for service. Jobs for directors of religious activities and education (including youth ministers) are projected to increase 4 percent by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Catholic Church is no exception. The growing popularity of youth ministry in the Catholic Church is the result of specific goals and reforms brought about by the Church’s desire to further engage young people in the Catholic faith.”
– Catholic Youth Ministry Career Guide, Brescia University
Continuing Education in Ministry Resources
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
- The Catholic University of America: Washington, DC – Certificate in Pastoral Ministry
- EQ Saints (Equipping the Saints)* – Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies presented around the country.
- Boston College: Boston, MA – Certificate in Catechetics
- University of Dayton: Dayton, OH – Online Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation – Certificate in Youth Ministry
- Loyola Institute for Ministry*: New Orleans, LA – Certificate in Pastoral Studies, Certificate in Theology and Ministry, Graduate Certificate in Theology and Ministry
- Loyola University Maryland: Baltimore, MD – Certificate in Theology and Ministry
- Mount Saint Mary’s: Emmitsburg, MD – Professional Certification in Youth Ministry
- Saint Bernard’s School of Theology and Religion: Rochester, NY – Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Studies
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
- Benedictine College: Atchison, KS – BA in Theology: Evangelization and Catechesis
- Brescia University: Owensboro, KY – BA in Theology (Online Programming Offered)
- Catholic Distance University: Charles Town, WV – BA in Theology
- Creighton University: Omaha, NE – BA in Theology
- Dominican University: Chicago, IL – BA in Theology
- Franciscan University of Steubenville: Steubenville, OH – Catechetics with Youth Ministry Concentration, Bachelor of Arts, Youth Ministry Minor
- Mexican American Catholic College: San Antonio, TX – BA Pastoral Ministry
- Mount Saint Mary’s: Emmitsburg, MD – BA in Theology with a Minor in Youth Ministry
- Ohio Dominican University: Columbus, OH – BA in Theology
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota: Winona, MN – BA in Theology with concentration in Pastoral and Youth Ministry
- Saint Norbert’s College: De Pere, WI – BA in Theology and Religious Studies
- University of Dallas: Dallas, TX – BA in Pastoral Ministry
- University of Saint Mary: Leavenworth, KS – BA in Theology
GRADUATE STUDIES
- Augustine Institute: Denver, CO – MA in Theology
- Boston College School of Theology and Ministry: Boston, MA – MA in Theology and Ministry
- Catholic Distance University: Charles Town, WV – MA in Theology
- Chicago Loyola Institute of Pastoral Studies: Chicago, IL – MA in Pastoral Studies
- Creighton University: Omaha, NE – MA in Ministry
- Fordham University: New York, NY – MA in Religious Education, Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- Franciscan University of Steubenville: Masters in Catechetics and Evangelization
- Loyola University Maryland: Baltimore, MD – Masters in theological Studies
- Mexican American Catholic College: San Antonio, TX – MA in Pastoral Ministry
- Mount Saint Mary’s University: Emmitsburg, MD – Graduate Religious Studies
- University of Dallas: Dallas, TX – Master of Pastoral Ministry: Youth Ministry Concentration
- Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary: Collegeville, MN – Masters in Theology and Ministry
- Santa Clara University: Santa Clara, CA – Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries, emphasis in Youth and Young Adult Ministries
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Loyola Institute for Ministry Webinars: A collection of ministerial webinars by Loyola University of New Orleans
- Lifelong Faith Associates: A resource website dedicated to increasing the capacity of leaders and communities to nurture faith growth
- Faith Formation Learning Exchange: An exchange dedicated to helping leaders in Christian ministry develop lifelong faith formation for all ages and generations that is informed by solid research, effective practices, cutting-edge thinking, and real-world models and tools.
- Virtual Learning Community – An initiative to offer adult religious education and faith formation to support the church’s professional ministry of religious education and faith formation.
- Marathon Youth Ministry* – Cohort classes and coaching for those in youth ministry
*Resource is from an NFCYM member organization