Student Expectations

Do I have to move to enter the program?
No, you do not have to relocate to enter into the Centre's program. Currently, the Centre has students from Vancouver Island to the east coast of Nova Scotia and nearly every point in between. Students come together for intensive periods of study 2 or 3 times a year, take 2 courses from another theological school or university each year and have a field placement in their home community.

How many students are in the program?
Currently there are about 50 students in the program. The Leadership Development Module is generally from 14-16 students, the theme year (Pastoral Care, Social Ministry, Educational Ministry) has about 30 students in it, and the Integrating Year has between 6-10 students. In addition, there are students who are taking the program on a part time basis and they may be in a Reflection Year, where they are working on external courses and reflective assignments shared with CCS staff.

Is this a full time program?
The Centre's program is a full time program of study, although some students do have part time employment. Some people have the understanding that a "distance ed" program is easier or less demanding than conventional programs. Sometimes people haven't fully considered all the pieces of the program and the time required for preparation and follow up so they imagine they can undertake studies without clearing their lives of any commitments or responsibilities.

Moving thorough the Centre's program at a full time pace means participating in 2 Learning Circles for a total of 5 weeks between September and June. There is at least an equal amount of preparation time for each gathering, plus follow up time for assignments. In two of the four years, there is also a field placement of 12-15 hours a week for 7-8 months, plus assignment time related to the field. Students must also complete 2 external courses a year (each a semester long) at another theological school. More difficult to add to the list of requirements is the time that students require for the work of personal transformation. As students experience growth and change in their understandings of themselves, God and the world, they need time to integrate this growth into other parts of their lives.

For many students who work part time, or have significant family or community responsibilities, the program is difficult to complete in 4 years. It is possible to lengthen the program to 5 or 6 years, or more. We would recommend not more than .5 time employment along with full time study. Many factors can affect this however, for eg. if a student's employment and field placement are in the same location.

Can you do the program part time?
The Centre's program does offer flexibility and can be taken on a part time basis. There are several ways to do this, one of the most common is for a student to participate in the Leadership Development Module, the 3 week intensive course which begins the program, offered each June, and then take a year as a Reflection Student. In a Reflection Year, students take external courses and reflect with staff and a learning partner about learning and integration. Then students move into the rotation of the three Theme Years (Pastoral Care, Social Ministry, Educational Ministry) followed by another Reflection Year to complete the external courses. The final Integrating Year concludes this 6 year, part time option. All inquirers are encouraged to take one external course prior to beginning the Leadership Module, preferably an Introduction to Christian or Hebrew Scriptures. Inquirers should consult with CCS staff prior to registering in this course to ensure it can be credited in the program.

Can I work while taking the program?
Some of our students have employment in a congregation or a social ministry while in the program, and it is neither required nor prohibited. Some work outside the church. If you are planning to be a full time student then normally, you should not expect to be employed more than half time, and even then, many students report that it is difficult to carry the school and work load, especially if they have significant family or community responsibilities.

Program Details

Can I earn credits toward a degree?
Yes, the Centre has two joint diploma/degree programs, one with St. Stephens (read program information) and one with the University of Winnipeg (read program information). In addition many of our courses are cross listed for credit with the University of Winnipeg.

If I only take part of the program can I get a certificate?
It is possible to take parts of the Centre's program and earn a certificate. The Leadership Development Module can be taken for a Certificate in Leadership Development. There are also one-year certificates in Pastoral Care Ministry, Educational Ministry and Social Ministry.

How will I know where to take my external courses?
During the period of time from inquiry to admission, students consult with the Principal about external courses. Inquirers are provided with a list of theological schools and universities recognized by the Centre, and the Principal can help an inquirer to discern what possibilities there are. Once students are in the program, the Primary Staff person, as well as other students, help them to be aware of course offerings.

Will I have a field placement in my own community?
In two of the three theme years a field placement of 12-15 hours a week for 7-8 months, in or near the student's home community, is required. Usually 1 of the 2 years of field work are in a congregation, with the highest expectation that an Educational Ministry year be congregationally based (although there are exceptions). A Pastoral Care year can be either in a congregation or in another setting such as a senior's home or prison. A Social Ministry year placement is usually in a church social ministry or secular social service agency. The Social Ministry year placements are wide ranging and bring a rich depth of experience into the Learning Circles times. In the past, placements have included: inner city ministries, psychiatric hospitals, legal aid clinics, literacy programs, food banks, economic development projects, women's shelters, prisons, alternative justice programs, and non-violent action programs. After a Field Orientation session at the Leadership Development Module, students develop learning goals for the field placement and consult with staff about possibilities. Staff can often give suggestions to help the student in locating an appropriate placement. Final approval for field placements is given by staff. The number of field placements is currently under review.

Is the field placement a paid position?
Technically, no, you can't be paid for the field placement, but that is not to say that you can't do your field placement where you are also paid to work. This may sound odd, but the distinction is very important.

We can not guarantee that the field placement can be where you are employed. Each field location is researched by the student in consultation with staff, and staff give final approval to the placement. Obviously, both field placements can't be in the same location since we require both congregation and social ministry experience. There may also be reasons why it won't work, either there is no scope in the placement to work on the learning goals, or there is a need for a broadening of church experience, or if the situation in the employment setting is not healthy, and so on.

In the field placement, the activity needs to be directed by the learning goals of the student. The process of reflecting on the doing is considered part of the field work. If a student is employed, for instance, 15 hours a week doing youth ministry in a congregation, they would have to demonstrate that there was time and room in the job description to meet the learning goals. In a Pastoral Care Year, perhaps one learning goal might focus on youth and peer pressure. In that case, there might well be a way to accomplish both the paid work and the field requirement at the same time. If another learning goal was about expressing a ministry of hope with 80 and 90 year olds, there is not likely going to be room for this work to be done in the youth ministry job description. Then there are options: renegotiate the job description with the employer for that year, trade work assignments with a colleague, volunteer the additional hours on top of the paid work, do the field placement, or part of the field placement in another setting, or combination of the above.

Where do students stay when in Winnipeg for the Learning Circles time?
For the Leadership Development Module and some of the Learning Circles accommodation options include the William and Catherine Booth College
Residence, the Back Packer's International Guest House and the University of Winnipeg student residences. These are modest and simple accommodations, with shared facilities. Costs are in the vicinity of $20 per night. Some meal preparation is possible. These facilities are within walking distance of the Centre, the University of Winnipeg and St. Matthew's Anglican Church, (locations for the LDM and learning circles). It is also possible to stay in a hotel, with family or friends or we can suggest some names to be in touch regarding a billet. We recommend residence for the Leadership Development Module, since that is reported to help in the development of community and is less tiring since there isn't the commuting to add to full days.

It is also possible that some learning circles might be held in a retreat centre setting where accommodation and meals are provided.

Entrance Qualifications

I am past 40 years old and have been out of school for a long time. Will I fit in?
Students at the Centre range in age from their early 20's to their 60's. Many of the students in the program are at the "second career" stage of life. This is typical for theological students throughout Canada. Inquirers often express some anxiety about returning to a full time program of study after being out of school or home with children for a number of years. Sometimes students use the Leadership Development Module as a way to test out those anxieties. The LDM can be taken as a Certificate program. If, after completing it, the student realizes that the program is not for them, they can withdraw from the program with no penalty and they will have achieved a Certificate in Leadership Development. A number of students have come hesitantly to the LDM and have been surprised by how much they enjoyed it, how well they fit in and how much ability and passion for learning has been awakened in them.

What level of education/preparation do I need to enter the program?
The Centre's program is taught at a level that is equivalent to a Master of Divinity degree. Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree OR demonstrated equivalent in lived and professional experience. A process of assessment using a set of guidelines for beginning the program is used to determine equivalency. Some post secondary school experience is required, at the University or Community College level. Students are encouraged to take one theology course (Introduction to Christian Scriptures) prior to attending the Leadership Development Module. The Centre's program strives to integrate the whole being and encourages intellectual, emotional, and skill development.

Do I have to be an Anglican or United Church member to go to the Centre?
Women and men from a number of denominations attend the Centre. Recently the student body has included Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Unitarian, Mennonite and Metropolitan Community Church members, in addition to Anglican and United Church folks. The Centre is recognized as a school to provide the required training to be a Diaconal Minister by the United Church of Canada, and is recognized as a Seminary by Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.

Do I have to be a candidate for ministry in my denomination to attend?
No, it is not necessary to be a recognized candidate for ministry in your denomination to be a student. Generally, inquirers are considering the Centre's program because they are in a process of personal and vocational discernment. Some are exploring a sense of call to formal or professional ministry, others are trying to address deep seated longings to explore their faith or expand their skills for lay ministry.

In the United Church there is a formal Discernment Process that is the first step towards candidacy for ordered ministry. Some United Church students come to the Centre after concluding their discernment process when they and the church are fairly certain about the call to Diaconal Ministry. Others however, come either before entering the Discernment Process or while in it. Sometimes, the experience of learning at the Centre, and that of learning with others exploring a call to diaconal ministry, is a necessary part of discerning vocation. Students understand that the Discernment Process may not confirm a call to Diaconal Ministry. However, when this happens, the value drawn from the Centre's program will benefit ministry, whether it is exercised as a lay person or through ordination/priesthood.

Finances

Do I have to participate in the travel pool?
All students, with one small exception, participate in the travel pool. (for Travel Pool Policy for details, contact us).

Is there financial help?
The Centre has limited bursary funds which are allocated on the basis of financial need. The amount available for each student is small and, by policy, would never exceed the tuition paid to the Centre. For students who are candidates for ministry in their denomination, there may be funding available through the Presbytery, Conference or Diocese. All students are encouraged to inquire with their congregation/parish and denominational offices about other kinds of funding, for eg. trust funds. Students have also applied to service groups and clubs such as Eastern Star, Rotary Club and so on.

The Centre's program is eligible for the Canada Student Loan Program, and for Provincial Student Aid in all provinces except Ontario and Quebec. Students from Ontario and Quebec should consult with the Centre about alternatives.

Program Outcomes

What kind of work do CCS graduates do?
CCS graduates work in a wide variety of ministries, both inside and outside the church. Some are diaconal ministers, some are ordained to sacramental ministry, some are lay people. Some have a primary focus on pastoral care, some on an educational ministry, some are teachers, some are administrators, some have a social justice ministry, some are employed in secular occupations which is their ministry.