Certificate Program
Equipping You for Life-Changing Impact
At the Correctional Ministries Institute our specialized training produces skilled ministry leaders.
Elevate your ministry impact, no matter where you live.
Learners can earn a Certificate in Correctional Chaplaincy or Reentry Leadership in 20 months or less. Our courses are designed to:
- Confirm your calling and deepen your Christian commitment
- Enhance your ministry skills and equip you with correctional ministry knowledge
- Expand your personal reach and grow your ministry network
Bible-Based
Expert Faculty
Flexible
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
The Reentry Certificate Program is
amazing! The instructors are experts
in their field and are willing to go the
extra mile to help. The program was
life-changing, both personally, and
professionally. The knowledge and
instruction I gained from the courses
are priceless. I highly recommend it
to anyone with a passion and calling
to serve those who have been
impacted by crime and incarceration.
Don Caballero
Pastor/Program Manager
ACE Overcomers
I feel that the Certificate Program
took me to new heights of
chaplaincy in both knowledge and
competencies as well as being
introduced to CMCA which
opened new relationships to me
in the national world of
corrections.
Joy Stevens
Project Director Trauma Healing
Good News Global
I was in the field of Reentry for a few
years and felt God was calling me to
one day lead my own organization. I
wasn’t ready for all that comes with
that. I needed to be more equipped.
After talking with a few people, I was
encouraged to reach out to CMI and I
am forever grateful I did. A couple of
years later the Lord opened a door
that I was prepared to walk through
due to the foundation I received at
CMI.
Nick Robbins
Executive Director
Returning Home, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should pursue a Correctional Ministries Certificate?
The Correctional Ministries Certificate Program is designed for individuals seeking to establish a foundation in correctional ministries and receive specialized training in correctional chaplaincy or reentry.
Why pursue a Correctional Ministries Certificate?
Equipped professionals and volunteers are more effective at fulfilling the Great Commission and the Great Commandment through service in jails, prisons and reentry ministries. Those served through correctional ministry deserve the highest quality ministry possible
How do students earn CEU's (Continuing Education Units)?
The Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies, a Center of the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, will provide three (3) CEU’s (Continuing Education Units) per course, for those who successfully complete the course with a passing grade of C+.
How many courses are required to earn a Certificate?
The program requires 7 courses to earn either a Certificate of Correctional Chaplaincy or a Certificate of Reentry Leadership.
HOW IT WORKS
What is the course format?
Online courses follow an 8-week format. Learners enroll in a single course at one time, progressing through course material and learning experiences guided by our faculty and instructors.
Course Features:
-Lectures
-Videos
-Discussion Forums
-Quizzes
-Written Assignments
-Mentor Meetings
–Course Descriptions
How much time will I spend on coursework?
You should expect to spend 5 – 8 hours per week on your coursework.
Do I have to be online at any specific time?
Our courses are set up so that you can begin each week on Monday and complete your coursework by Sunday at midnight.
TUITION
What is the cost of an online course?
Tuition: $249 per course ($199 for CMCA Members). Payment is due prior to the first day of the term.
Can I take the courses out of order?
Our program is set up so that you may complete your coursework sequentially. We understand that ministry and life events change even your best planning, so you do not have to take most courses in order. The Practicum, Capstone, or Clinical Pastoral course must be taken at the end of the program.
Certification Requirements
All core courses and Correctional Chaplaincy or Reentry Leadership courses
100-LEVEL
CORE COURSES
CM 101
Dimensions of Correctional Ministry
CM 102
Dynamics of Working with Justice-Involved Persons
CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAINCY COURSES
CM 201 Foundations of Correctional Chaplaincy
CM 202 Pastoral Care in Corrections
400-LEVEL
CORE COURSES
CM 401
Organization and Ministry Development
CHOOSE ONE:
CM 412 Clinical Pastoral Presence (Chaplaincy)
Completion of the Correctional Ministries Certificate does NOT automatically permit access to any correctional facilities. Facility administrators determine who is permitted to minister in their facility. The Correctional Certificate is a continuing education program.
A grade of C or above is required to earn a certificate.
Expert Faculty
A. Spiritually
maturing in that they…
1. Commit to an ongoing life of personal growth in Christ as the foundation of effective ministry.
2. Apply Scripture to themselves for developing the character of Christ and to serve in a correctional ministry setting with integrity and humility.
3. Develop an awareness of their gifts, passions, and calling in correctional ministry.
4. Commit both personally and collaboratively to work for God’s global Kingdom purposes through the universal and local Church.
5. Honor all persons as created in the image of God by appreciating the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and religious traditions within the correctional environment.
B. Intellectually
grounded in that they…
1. Develop and commit with flexibility to a thoroughly Christian and carefully integrated philosophy of ministry.
2. Articulate a strong biblical/theological basis for correctional ministry.
3. Describe Christian formation, its process and goals.
4. Apprehend the truths within the disciplines related to correctional ministry integrated with Biblical truth.
5. Exhibit academic integrity, and critical and reflective thinking through research and study.
C. Practically
skilled in that they…
1. Handle Scripture rightly, wisely and humbly.
2. Communicate effectively orally (teaching and presentation skills) and in writing in multiple environments.
3. Manage programs and people in correctional ministry that promotes transformation of those they serve.
4. Promote strong interpersonal relationships with colleagues, justice-involved persons, corrections staff, volunteers, the Church and the community to support ministry goals and rehabilitation.
5. Create learning experiences that help others encounter the person of God and the truths of His Word.
6. Utilize skills that promote rehabilitation of justice-involved persons.
Core Values
- Biblically based – all material is developed on Biblical principles with an emphasis on the integration of faith and learning.
- Compelled to evangelize and disciple – sharing the Gospel message and provide spiritual guidance through Christian formation.
- Committed to unity of believers in Jesus Christ – as evidenced by the ministry collaboration.
- Devoted to excellence – quality equipping for quality ministry- convinced that justice-involved people deserve the highest quality of ministry possible.
- Learning communities created – through a cohort model, discussion forums, and feedback and interaction with faculty.