Graduate School of Theology

Vatican Certification Core

Introduction to Theology (w/ philosophy emphasis)

Old Testament

New Testament

Church History

The Creed

The Sacraments

Morality

Prayer & Spirituality

Youth Ministry Specialization

Youth Ministry 1

Youth Ministry 2

Youth Ministry Practicum

Total Credit Hours: 33 Credits

The YM program is also available in-part through Distance Learning.

Certificate in Youth Ministry

The Graduate School of Theology (GST) & Program of Catholic Studies at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary offers a Certificate in Youth Ministry (YM) as part of its Undergraduate Vatican-endorsed Theology Diploma program. GSTs Youth Ministry and Young Adult certificate program relies upon cooperation with the Office for Youth & Young Adults at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is in line with the United States Catholic Bishops Renewing the Vision. The YM program is especially designed for those engaged in or preparing for ministry to youth and young adults. The specialized YM courses are taught by experienced youth ministers and archdiocesan-appointed vicariate coordinators.

The goals of the joint Undergraduate Vatican Theology Diploma & YM Certificate program are:

• To foster a greater knowledge and a deeper appreciation of the Catholic Church, its theological traditions and its pastoral mission, with major emphasis on Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

• To enrich the faith life and theological competence of those who are engaged in parish youth ministry.

• To offer introductory training in the practical knowledge, experience, and requirements (including national and Archdiocesan guidelines) needed for success in youth and young adult ministry.

• To provide practical and supervised training in various pastoral skills needed for ministry to youth and young adults.

• To foster the development of pastoral leadership among those who are engaged in youth and young adult ministry.

YM Program Requirements:

The YM program consists of a 24-credit Vatican-endorsed Diploma program of theology with a 9-credit specialization certificate in Youth Ministry (total of 33 credits). Students must complete both the Vatican Theology courses and the YM courses to receive the diploma/certificate, but are not required to take courses in any particular order (except the practicum as specified).

Regarding the Practicum course:

In order to qualify for enrollment in the practicum course, a candidate must have completed (or be enrolled in) all other course requirements for the YM certificate.

General Program Guidelines:

A maximum of 12 undergraduate credits in equivalent courses from other accredited programs in Theology may be accepted towards the diploma/certificate; courses taken more than ten years before the request is made, or in which a grade of at least C has not been attained, will not be accepted in transfer. Requests to transfer credits or to substitute an equivalent course for a required course must be directed to the Academic Dean of GST. The diploma/certificate program is normally completed within a four-year period of time. Credits accumulated from courses taken more than ten years past need the approval of the Academic Dean in order to be accepted.

Those who have completed the Certificate in Youth Ministry may also qualify to continue their theological studies toward another certificate in the Undergraduate theology program.

Applicants for the Certificate in Youth Ministry must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Those seeking admission to the diploma/certificate program should follow undergraduate admissions procedures.