Certification FAQs
CDM’s Certification Program is theological and practical training for non-ordained staff or volunteers who are currently serving in children’s ministry within the local church. Whether your church is 50 or 5000 people, this certification program will impact your church by developing and enhancing your Student Ministry.
The 12-month program is progressive. It is a combination of webinars, readings, and projects that will provide training for every area of Student Ministry.
Below are some questions that have come to our attention. Click the questions to reveal our answers. These are by no means all the questions there will likely be, so check back often to see the newest.
All eligible Student Ministry Directors, Student Ministry staff, or Student Ministry volunteers who are currently working or volunteering in the local church.
- Have worked or volunteered in a specific role within Student Ministry for at least 6 months
- Complete application process and accepted by CDM Staff
- Approval by applicant’s current church Pastor, boss, and Session
This will be a little different person to person, but average time commitment we are expecting is 10 hours a month. The monthly course load is available at the start of each month and is available on demand throughout the month. So, those 10 hours can be done all at once or in 30-minute increments—however, you work best.
Yes and No. CDM’s Student Ministry Certification covers 12 topics over 12 months. Each month you are expected to stay on that month’s topic. As far as when you watch each month’s webinar or complete each month’s readings and projects, this can be done at your own pace–as long as it is completed by the monthly due date (see scope and sequence for all project due dates). All webinars and assignments will be uploaded in advance, so you can always get ahead, but we ask that you not get behind because we want you to get the breadth and depth of each month’s content. So, you can do the monthly work at your own pace, but you can’t move from month to month at your own pace. You must stay on topic each month.
$1700 for the year + $25 application fee
A non-refundable $25 application fee is due with your application. (Once your application is received you will then be sent a link to pay the registration fee) The $1700 is due when certification begins in September 2023. The $1700 includes the 12 months of certification, all resources, and the registration cost to the Student Ministry Conference.
At this time there are no scholarships. If scholarships become available we will add the information to our website.
All interested participants must fill out and submit an application and must have a pastor fill out and submit a pastoral recommendation form. All forms can be found on this certification website under “application process.” Forms can be submitted online.
Both forms must be submitted to be considered for the certification program.
All applications are due by June 1st, 2024. We do encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible because class size is limited.
Certification begins in September and ends in August
CDM’s Student Ministry Certification is one year. CDM’s Student Ministry Leadership Team has worked hard to assemble the key information you need to know to effectively minister to students. The comprehensive program builds a foundation of knowledge that is both practical and theological. You won’t want to miss a single month, and we feel like each month is essential for your ministry. There is not an option to only participate in certain months.
CDM’s Student Ministry Certification means that you have received both the practical and theological training you need to effectively minister to students. Once you complete the 12-month program, you will receive a certificate from CDM, the discipleship ministry of the PCA. CDM’s Certification qualifies you for the role you are in and shows that you have been trained under the umbrella of the PCA Student Ministry. Certification is a vital part of your education because it equips you to minister to students over the long haul.
Yes! Certification can be done from anywhere in the world. Each participant will have a log in to a website to watch webinars, upload projects, email with faculty, and connect with other participants. We do ask that all certification participants attend the CDM Student Ministry Conference while they are going through certification. Registration, lodging, and meals are included in the cost of the certification. Travel to and from the conference is not included.
The certification graduation will take place at the Student Ministry Conference following your certification year (Fall 2025). The registration cost for this conference is not covered in your tuition.
Further Questions?
Contact the CDM Office
Certification FAQs
CDM’s Certification Program is theological and practical training for non-ordained staff or volunteers who are currently serving in children’s ministry within the local church. Whether your church is 50 or 5000 people, this certification program will impact your church by developing and enhancing your Student Ministry.
The 12-month program is progressive. It is a combination of webinars, readings, and projects that will provide training for every area of Student Ministry.
Below are some questions that have come to our attention. Click the questions to reveal our answers. These are by no means all the questions there will likely be, so check back often to see the newest.
All eligible Student Ministry Directors, Student Ministry staff, or Student Ministry volunteers who are currently working or volunteering in the local church.
- Have worked or volunteered in a specific role within Student Ministry for at least 6 months
- Complete application process and accepted by CDM Staff
- Approval by applicant’s current church Pastor, boss, and Session
This will be a little different person to person, but average time commitment we are expecting is 10 hours a month. The monthly course load is available at the start of each month and is available on demand throughout the month. So, those 10 hours can be done all at once or in 30-minute increments—however, you work best.
Yes and No. CDM’s Student Ministry Certification covers 12 topics over 12 months. Each month you are expected to stay on that month’s topic. As far as when you watch each month’s webinar or complete each month’s readings and projects, this can be done at your own pace–as long as it is completed by the monthly due date (see scope and sequence for all project due dates). All webinars and assignments will be uploaded in advance, so you can always get ahead, but we ask that you not get behind because we want you to get the breadth and depth of each month’s content. So, you can do the monthly work at your own pace, but you can’t move from month to month at your own pace. You must stay on topic each month.
$1800 for the year + $25 application fee
A non-refundable $25 application fee is due with your application. (Once your application is received you will then be sent a link to pay the registration fee) The $1800 is due when certification begins in September 2023. The $1800 includes the 12 months of certification, all resources, and the registration cost to the Student Ministry Conference.
At this time there are no scholarships. If scholarships become available we will add the information to our website.
All interested participants must fill out and submit an application and must have a pastor fill out and submit a pastoral recommendation form. All forms can be found on this certification website under “application process.” Forms can be submitted online.
Both forms must be submitted to be considered for the certification program.
All applications are due by June 1st, 2023. We do encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible because class size is limited.
Certification begins in September and ends in August
CDM’s Student Ministry Certification is one year. CDM’s Student Ministry Leadership Team has worked hard to assemble the key information you need to know to effectively minister to students. The comprehensive program builds a foundation of knowledge that is both practical and theological. You won’t want to miss a single month, and we feel like each month is essential for your ministry. There is not an option to only participate in certain months.
CDM’s Student Ministry Certification means that you have received both the practical and theological training you need to effectively minister to students. Once you complete the 12-month program, you will receive a certificate from CDM, the discipleship ministry of the PCA. CDM’s Certification qualifies you for the role you are in and shows that you have been trained under the umbrella of the PCA Student Ministry. Certification is a vital part of your education because it equips you to minister to students over the long haul.
Yes! Certification can be done from anywhere in the world. Each participant will have a log in to a website to watch webinars, upload projects, email with faculty, and connect with other participants. We do ask that all certification participants attend the CDM Student Ministry Conference while they are going through certification. Registration, lodging, and meals are included in the cost of the certification. Travel to and from the conference is not included.
The certification graduation will take place at the Student Ministry Conference following your certification year (Fall 2024). The registration cost for this conference is not covered in your tuition.
Further Questions?
Contact the CDM Office
