Our Programs ~ Lay Education ~ Certificate Programs
Certificate Programs
The Seminary offers Certificate Programs designed for persons interested in pursuing intense but short-term study in one of the areas of concentration for the M.A. degree: Anglican Studies, Biblical Studies, Christian Spirituality, Congregational Development, and Historical and Theological Studies. The program is part-time, non-residential and is designed for lay men and women seeking to develop an interest in a specific area. Students initially register for courses with the status of part-time non-degree students and then may apply to the program after completing one course. All six courses (a minimum of sixteen credits) must be completed at General. Below are specifications for the courses within each area. Certificates are awarded at the Commencement closest to the completion of the final course.
Courses completed for a certificate may be applied to an M.A. degree, should an individual wish to continue at General or another institution. Students may apply for the Certificate program after having completed successfully one course at General as a part-time non-degree student, using the application form designed for the Certificate Program. Applicants must: have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent; complete a Certificate Program Application; submit transcripts of all academic work after high school; provide two references, one from a General professor with whom they have studied; and have an interview with the Director of the MA Program and a faculty member from the student’s area of concentration.
Specifications within Each Area
| Anglican Studies | number of courses |
| CH1,2,and 3 |
3 |
| ST1 or LT1 |
1 |
| Two upper-level courses |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
6 |
Especially relevant are courses in the areas of church history, ethics, liturgics, theology, contemporary society, and/or mission and world Christianity.
| Biblical Studies | number of courses |
| OT1 and 2, or OT5 |
1 or 2 |
| NT1 and 2, or NT5 |
1 or 2 |
| Two upper-level courses |
2, 3 or 4 |
|
TOTAL |
6 |
The number of upper-level courses required depends on whether OT5 and/or NT5 is/are taken in place of OT1 and 2 and/or NT1 and 2. The Biblical Studies certificate may be awarded “with Greek” or “with Hebrew” upon the completion of two additional courses in Greek or Hebrew.
| Christian Spirituality | number of courses |
|
All courses must be in | |
| AT1 |
1 |
| 5 AT electives |
5 |
|
TOTAL |
6 |
Congregational Development
Six courses are required in courses that the student, in consultation with the student's adviser, demonstrates as having particular relevance to congregational life and development. Courses in the areas of Ministry Leadership, Liturgics, Preaching, and Contemporary Society are typically relevant, and courses in other areas may be relevant. In some courses, a student may wish to develop particular assignments with the instructor that may be especially pertinent to congregational development.
Specifications within Each Area
| Historical and Theological Studies | number of courses |
| CH1,2,and 3 |
3 |
| ST1 or LT1 |
1 |
| Two upper-level courses |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
6 |
Especially relevant are courses in the areas of church history, ethics, liturgics, theology, contemporary society, and/or mission and world Christianity. Given the ecumenical focus of this concentration, the student may, in consultation with the adviser, apply to have other courses substitute for certain foundation courses.
To learn more about the program, contact the MA Program with this contact form for 
or (212) 243-5150 or (888) 487-5649, ext. 461.
