Enrollment Steps – United Methodists

Use the checklist below to help you keep track of all the steps in the certification process.

Initial Steps for New Students Who Have Not Yet Taken a Course

(A) The General Board of Higher Eduction and Ministry (GBHEM) oversees all certifications in specialized ministries within The United Methodist Church. All students wishing to be certified in United Methodist Camp/Retreat Ministries must first enroll in the overall certification process with The General Board of Higher Eduction and Ministry.

Read the Standards and Requirements for Certification in United Methodist Camp/Retreat Ministry (pdf) at www.gbhem.org/atf/cf/%7B0BCEF929-BDBA-4AA0-968F-D1986A8EEF80%7D/campretreat.pdf If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact Kevin Witt at kwitt@gbod.org or 541-317-1615.

Read information on "Professional Certification" at: www.gbhem.org

If you are a current student at Pfeiffer University and taking certification courses there, read "Undergraduate Certification" at: www.gbhem.org

NOTE: Currently there are not paraprofessional courses being offered for Camp and Retreat Ministry.

Fill-out "Enrollment Form Certification Studies in Ministry Careers -- The United Methodist Church, which is available in pdf format at www.gbhem.org or contact the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry office at certification@gbhem.org  or 615-340-7375.

Keep a copy for your personal records.

To apply as a Drew student:

Read all the information about Camp and Retreat Certification Courses and Processes at the Drew Theological School Website. Fill-out the "Application for Admission– Non-Degree Programs" unless you are planning to incorporate certification into a specific degree. If so, please contact Anne Yardley, assistant dean, at ayardley@drew.edu or 973-408-3647 or 973-408-3419 to get clear instructions before proceeding. If you apply online, the application fee is waived. The non-degree application form can be found at www.drew.edu/theo-content.aspx?id=11607.

You can get a copy of the non-degree application form from Anne Yardley (ayardley@drew.edu or 973-408-3647 or 973-408-3419). However, if you mail the form, you must include an application fee.

Read the Drew Certification Course Logistics page, including how to register for course at: www.drew.edu/theo-content.aspx?id=11605

The online course list will have a course brochure for each course approximately six to eight weeks before the course begins. You will find the link for the brochure at the end of the course descriptions. Check the brochure for more detailed information about the course, reading and other assignments, information about the instructors, housing and meal arrangements, and so on. If a brochure is not available online for a particular course within six weeks of the course, please contact Anne Yardley at 973-408-3647 or 973-408-3419, ayardley@drew.edu

Make meal and lodging arrangements as outlined in the course brochure.

Complete pre-course reading and assignments as outlined in the course brochure.
Receive the bill for the course; then pay the course fee Receive the bill for the course; than pay the course fee.

Financial Aid:
 

• The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry offers a stipend of $150 per credit to students officially enrolled with GBHEM  for the UM certification program. Stipends are issued after the completion of the course, if the student passes the course. Complete the scholarship request form found at: www2.gbhem.org/atf/cf/%7B0BCEF929-BDBA-4AA0-968F-D1986A8EEF80%7D/Form116.pdf
  
  Please submit the form to the seminary staff during class or immediately after the class. The stipend goes to the school, so pay all your bill, except the stipend amount if you quality for a stipend.


• The General Board of Discipleship has limited "Legacy of Leadership" funds (up to $300 per course -- not per credit hour) available to students with significant need. Scholarships are issued after the completion of the course, which the student must pass. Students are only eligible only if they personally pay for the course or at least $300 toward course costs.  If another source of funding pays for the course expenses, then this scholarship does not apply. To request funds, contact Kevin Witt at kwitt@gbod.org.  (Include your name, phone, address, e-mail address, the certification course you took, and the date of the course.)

Check out the schedule of upcoming courses and decide which course you would like to take next. Then register for that course if registration has opened.