Lubbock Christian University
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Certificate in Children's Ministry

LIMITED TIME ONLY: $500 BONUS SCHOLARSHIP

Until May 31, all new students registering in the Graduate Certificate of Children's Ministry or the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry programs will recieve $500 of bonus scholarship!

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Graduate Certificate in Children's Ministry

Home PageAcademicsColleges and SchoolsCollege of Biblical StudiesGraduate School of Theology | Graduate TheologyGraduate Certificate in Children's Ministry

15

Credit Hours

1

Length (Years)

$4000

Total Tuition

Online

Format

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Program Overview

Lubbock Christian University’s Graduate School of Theology has designed a Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry with second-career ministers in mind. This five course, 15 credit hour certificate program keeps your ministry environment front-and-center. Through project-based learning, theological reflection, peer interaction, and instructor mentoring, you will

About the Graduate Certificate in Children's Ministry

The total cost of the certificate is $4000. Students will also need to budget for the cost of books. 

A certificate is considered non-degree seeking and is not eligible for financial aid.

Students applying to the GCCM will need:

  1. 120-hour bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
  2. References
  3. Background check

Deadline for August start date is August 1st. 

Deadline for January start date is December 1st.

Apply Online

Once we receive your application, a Graduate Studies representative will contact you with further instructions to complete your application.  

When you receive the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry you will be able to

  • Create, articulate, and apply a contextually appropriate theology of children’s ministry
  • Align the children’s ministry program to the minister’s and congregation’s values
  • Develop self-awareness as a leader and gain skills to lead change in anxious systems

To receive the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry, students must:

  • complete each required course with a C or better and
  • attain a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better for all five courses.

Low cost $4,000 Total Tuition

We know that children’s ministers benefit from excellent graduate-level training only if it is affordable. As an investment in this vital kingdom work, costs for the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry are substantially discounted. Costs include:

  • Graduate Studies Admission Application fee
  • $4,000 total tuition / $800 per course (includes online course and technology fees)
  • Course textbooks and materials.

Gain Practical Skills for Ministry

  • Create a vision, mission, and goals for children’s ministry
  • Assess current ministry strategies and align them with ministry goals
  • Evaluate curriculum for theological and programmatic fit
  • Develop plans to address ministry areas with change management strategies
  • Increase self-awareness and growth in Christian character as a leader
  • Recognize the interpersonal and emotional dynamics in a church system
  • Develop plans for family ministry and intergenerational ministry
  • Engage the dynamic narrative of Scripture while learning graduate-level Bible study skills

Contact Us

Shannon Rains, D.Min.

Associate Professor of Children’s Ministry 
Program Coordinator, Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry  
Alfred and Patricia Smith College of Biblical Studies 
Shannon.Rains@LCU.edu 
806.720.7669

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Courses

This course constructs a spiritually formative foundation of children’s ministry through the lens of Christian hospitality. Learners will identify theological positions that shape the church’s ministry with children. Discipleship, critical thinking in spiritual formation, and cultural issues will be considered. 

This course prepares students for the leadership and administrative responsibilities of the children’s minister. Topics cover creating a vision for children’s ministry, recruiting and training volunteers, child protection policies, and short-term and long-term ministry planning.

This course encourages students to consider what Christian leadership is, the character of the leader, and the personal development of a leader including cultivating a non-anxious presence. Students will learn about change management and evaluating ministry plans, as well as developing skills for positive conflict engagement. 

Study of family development and functioning in light of family systems with emphasis on the church’s opportunity to minister in this context.

Study of the history of the application of hermeneutics to the biblical text with an emphasis on the current questions in biblical interpretation.

Expand Your Certificate into a Master's Degree

After completing the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry, students may apply for admission to a Lubbock Christian University master’s degree program. Up to 15 credit hours from the Certificate may be applied toward degree requirements. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies for details at GraduateAdmissions@LCU.edu.

Master's Degree

Children's Ministry Focus
9 hours
Essential Ministry Skills
6 hours
Foundational Ministry Studies