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Admissions

So, you want to come to CCS? Great, let's make it happen!

First thing you're going to want to do is fill out an Application for Admission form (click here to download PDF version of the form) or fill out an application online (not yet available).

Depending on what CCS program you're applying to be admitted into, there are different things you need to send us...

 

I just want to take the LDM

If you're applying to take the Leadership Development Module as a stand-alone course, send us:

  • an application for admission form (fill out the LDM sections)
  • a registration form (indicate June or August LDM)
  • 1 reference (download and forward this PDF to a suitable reference person; for example, someone who has known you for more than 5 years, someone who has supervised or taught you, a co-worker, a member of your congregation, or your minister. Please do not ask a member of your family to act as a reference.)
  • $55.00 non-refundable admission fee

Deadline: The application deadline for the June LDM is April 1 and for the August LDM the deadline is June 1.

UPDATE: The deadline for the June LDM has been extended to April 20th.

 

I want to take the LDM and carry on into the full program

The LDM is prerequisite for the 4-year Diploma Program and for the 1-year Certificate Programs. If you intend to continue into the Diploma/Certificate Program following your LDM, you can apply and register for a Theme Year or Reflection Year prior to your LDM, in which case acceptance will be pending completion of the LDM. Send us:

  • an application for admission form (fill out the LDM and Diploma sections)
  • a registration form (indicate June or August LDM, and Theme Year or Reflection Year)
  • 3 references: 1 LDM reference, 2 Diploma references (Download and forward these PDF forms to suitable reference people; for example, someone who has known you for more than 5 years, someone who has supervised or taught you, a co-worker, a member of your congregation, or your minister. Please do not ask a member of your family to act as a reference.)
  • a resume
  • academic transcripts
  • $150.00 non-refundable admission fee

Note: If you are accepted into the Diploma or Certificate Program you will also need to submit a vulnerable sectors Police Records Check before taking part in any field placement.

Deadline: The application deadline for the June LDM is April 1. The application deadline for the August LDM and for the Theme Year or Reflection Year is June 1.

 

I've already taken the LDM. Now I want to do the Diploma or Certificate Program

If you've taken the LDM in the last 3 years, you can simply apply for admission to the Diploma/Degree program. (If you took your LDM more than 3 years ago you can seek permission from the Principal to apply.) Send us:

  • an application for admission form (fill out the Diploma sections)
  • a registration form (indicate Diploma or Certificate, Theme Year or Reflection Year, etc.)
  • 2 references: 2 Diploma references (Download and forward this PDF forms to suitable reference people; for example, someone who has known you for more than 5 years, someone who has supervised or taught you, a co-worker, a member of your congregation, or your minister. Please do not ask a member of your family to act as a reference.)
  • a resume
  • academic transcripts
  • $95.00 non-refundable admission fee

 

How do you decide if I'm suitable for the CCS program?

Decisions about admissions are made by the Principal and the Registrar in consultation with the Program Staff. For students applying for the Diploma Program we take into consideration the recommendation of the Program Staff who facilitated the applicant's LDM.

We like to know that applicants understand and can work within CCS's learning model, which relies on group discussion, collaborative learning, and self-reflection. CCS programs also require a fair bit of post-secondary-level reading and writing, and so we like to know as well that applicants are prepared for that kind of rigor. We don't require a post-secondary degree for admission, but if you haven't done any university or college education we ask you to submit a writing sample so we can evaluate your ability to think critically and reflectively, organize ideas, and express yourself in writing.

In evaluating the applications and references, particularly for applicants to the full 4-year program, we use the following criteria (from the CCS Admissions Policy) as a guideline. These criteria are not absolute but indicate the areas in which applicants need to show openness, ability and potential.

I. Sense of Identity as Self

  1. Shows an ability to take initiative and give examples of this.
  2. Understands oneself to be preparing for a lay or ordered ministry in the church and world.
  3. Has emotional stability; is able to cope with physical and emotional stress; shows flexibility.
  4. Has a capacity to work, play and pray.
  5. Shows a sense of humour.
  6. Is open to growth and change and has a beginning awareness of its implications.
  7. Is able to invest oneself in the diploma/certificate program.
  8. Has a beginning appreciation for the issues of racism, classism, sexism and heterosexism and is open to developing an understanding of how these factors influence one’s own sense of self and one’s position in the world.
  9. Has some awareness of one’s own sexuality.

II. Sense of Self in Relationship to others

  1. Has a beginning sense of one’s own power and vulnerability.
  2. Shows some ability to work alone and in relation to others; is aware of the importance of responsibility to community.
  3. Values and demonstrates respect.
  4. Is committed to including others in community and values diversity.
  5. Is willing to explore issues of sexuality and their impact on personal and professional relationships.
  6. Is open to learning in a community that holds a diversity of understandings of gender and sexuality.
  7. Is open to the challenge and support in a community committed to the CCS Theological, Educational and Justice Stances.

III. Learning

  1. Approaches the world as a learner and is able to take responsibility for own learning;
  2. wants to learn and grow and change
  3. is committed to learning in community
  4. is willing to learn in different ways.
  5. Can demonstrate ability to study and write at a university level.
  6. Willingness to learn in a community that is diverse culturally, theologically, economically and by sexual orientation.

IV. Communications

  1. Has basic skills in oral and written communication, including the ability to read and learn from university level theological resources and to write coherently and cogently.
  2. Has basic interpersonal and relationship skills.
  3. Has basic computer skills, including use of internet and email.

IV. Leadership and Group Process

  1. Has some awareness of how one functions as a member in groups.
  2. Has some experience of leadership.
  3. Has willingness to learn and practise variety of styles of leadership.

V. Theology and Faith

  1. Can articulate elements of one’s own faith.
  2. Is willing to explore the implications of one’s faith.
  3. Is aware of having acted out of a faith stance and can share examples.
  4. Shows readiness to critique one’s own theology.
  5. Has an awareness of one’s spiritual needs and is open to exploring spiritual practices.

VI. Education in the Faith Community

  1. Understands education as essential to the faith community.
  2. Regards understanding and learning as a vital dimension of faith.
  3. Is interested in learning how to enable others to grow in their faith.

VII. Social Service and Social Change

  1. Understands a role of ministry in responding to social needs and justice issues in the community (local and worldwide).
  2. Understands justice and compassion for the church and the world to be an essential component of ministry.

VIII. Pastoral Care

  1. Is aware of the importance of pastoral care.
  2. Has a sensitivity to the needs of self and others.
  3. Is open to risk and vulnerability.
  4. Has some awareness of one’s own needs, power and vulnerability.

IX. Liturgical Ministry

  1. Values liturgy as important in the life of the faith community.
  2. Has some experience of liturgical leadership.
  3. Is open to exploring liturgical leadership for oneself.

X. Organizational and Administrative Skills

  1. Values organization and administration as important in the life of the faith community.
  2. Has shown evidence of organization in one’s own life and awareness of priorities.

XI. Understanding of Church

  1. Values the tradition of the church and shows some understanding of it denominationally and ecumenically.
  2. Is open to understand the church as both an institutional structure and a faith community.
  3. Has an understanding of the role of laity as essential to the life and work of the church.

XII. Integrated Understanding of Ministry

  1. Is ready, willing and able to learn and develop through struggle and question, ambiguity and complexity.

 

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