Brite Divinity School offers seven distinctive certificate programs in the following areas: Biblical Studies; Black Church Studies; History, Theology, and Ethics; Military Chaplaincy; Pastoral Care; Gender and Sexual Justice; and Latino/a Church Studies. Those interested in these programs can apply for admission into one of these 15-hour non-degree certificates.
A commonly awarded tuition grant of 50% is available for students matriculating into a certificate program.
Students interested in pursuing a certificate program may obtain an application from the Office of Admissions. Decision for admission to the certificate program will be made by the Admissions Committee in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Biblical Studies:
A certificate in Biblical Studies is available to students who seek to deepen their engagement with historical and contemporary Biblical scholarship to enhance their preparation for ministry or to prepare for further graduate study in Biblical Studies.
Certificate Courses – 15 hours
- Either HEBI 60003 Interpreting the Hebrew Bible or NETE 60003 Interpreting the New Testament
- Either HEBI 70013 Biblical Hebrew I and HEBI 75033 Biblical Hebrew II OR NETE 70013 Basics of Biblical Greek and NETE 75013 Biblical Greek II.
- Six hours of advanced coursework in Hebrew Bible, Jewish Studies, and/or New Testament.
Black Church Studies:
A certificate in Black Church Studies is for seminarians of all races interested in shaping their ministerial preparation and theological reflection to be inclusive of a wider knowledge of, deeper appreciation for, and increased sensitivity to the issues and exigencies of Black life within American Christianity; and (2) individuals interested in preparing for ministry within a Black church context and/or tradition as leaders (pastors, preachers, lay leaders, chaplains, pastoral counselors, campus ministers, etc.). Each student’s participation in the certificate in Black Church Studies is designed to instill the practical, theoretical, and theological knowledge necessary to ensure that the individual reaches his or her personal, intellectual, and ministerial goals.
Certificate Courses – 15 hours
- RECU 70003 Introduction to Black Church Traditions and Cultures. This course should be taken in the first year of study.
- Four three-hour courses in Black Church Studies chosen with reference to vocational goals and in consultation with the Black Church Studies director.
History, Theology, and Ethics:
A certificate in History, Theology and Ethics is available to students who seek to deepen their engagement with one or more of these fields to enhance their preparation for ministry or to prepare for further graduate study.
Certificate Courses – 15 hours
- Six hours of coursework taken to meet Basic Theological Studies requirements History, Theology, and/or Ethics.
- Nine hours of coursework in History, Theology, and/or Ethics that have not been applied to Basic Theological Studies requirements.
Military Chaplaincy:
A certificate in Military Chaplaincy provides the Chaplain Candidate of any branch of the United States Armed Forces with an academic and practical foundation rooted in the progressive theological traditions of excellence, faithfulness, respect for religious and spiritual variety, and service to all people. The core commitments that Brite’s Military Chaplaincy Certificate embodies are to free and diverse religious expression, and to “provide or perform” for the spiritual needs of all service members, their families, and dependents. In order to serve as a Chaplain in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, however, eligible candidates must fulfill the current requirements of the respective Services.
Certificate Courses – 15 hours
- PTPC 60003 Ministry of Pastoral Care.
- Three hours of coursework in military chaplaincy.
- Nine hours of additional coursework in Pastoral Care or courses related to war and peace.
Pastoral Care:
A certificate in Pastoral Care is for (1) individuals interested in local church ministry with a pastoral care focus; and (2) individuals interested in preparing for ministry as pastoral care specialists (chaplains, pastoral counselors, campus ministers, etc.). Criteria for admission and continuance include: a minimum 3.25 overall GPA, and in each PTPC course, a minimum B+ grade and demonstrated competence in pastoral care practice. If accepted into the certificate, the individual will be assigned an advisor from among the PTPC faculty.
Certificate Courses – 15 hours
- PTPC 60003 Ministry of Pastoral Care.
- PTPC 75023 Short-Term Pastoral Counseling or PTPC 75043 Pastoral Conversation and Collaboration. Students in the certificate are strongly encouraged to take both courses and may apply one of these courses to the additional courses outlined in B below.
- Two additional PTPC courses to be chosen with reference to vocational goals and in consultation with the student’s advisor.
- Hospital-based Clinical Pastoral Education (PTPC 75053).
Sexual And Gender Justice:
A certificate and Sexual and Gender Justice is available to those students who seek a critical engagement with issues of gender and sexual justice to enhance ministry contexts in the church and wider community or who intend to pursue further graduate study focusing on sexual and gender justice.
Certificate Courses – 15 hours
- Three hours of coursework in sexual and gender justice.
- Twelve additional hours of coursework in any discipline with a primary focus on sexual and/or gender justice.
Latino/a Church Studies:
The Latino/a Church Studies certificate is designed for any Brite student who has an interest in Latino/a religious traditions and communities. The certificate enables students to enhance their knowledge of the Latina/o religious communities as well as deepen their understanding of the discipline of Latino/a Church Studies. It will provide them with a broad knowledge base and the intellectual and practical tools to understand the unity and diversity of the Latino/a religious community within their respective ministries/vocations/careers.
Certificate Courses – 15 hours
- Three hours of RECU 60073 Introduction to U.S. Latina/o Christianities. M.Div students pursuing the certificate in conjunction with their degree may also count this course toward the second half of the Contextualization requirement.
- Twelve hours of coursework through Brite in any discipline with a primary focus on Latina/o religious traditions and communities. Note: this may include one Brite travel-seminar class (3 credit hours); and one course (3 credit hours) through the Hispanic Summer Program (https://hispanicsummerprogram.org), which Brite sponsors.