Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Leadership

This holistic, one-year program equips a diverse cohort of proven and promising leaders with leadership skills that will ensure long-term effective ministry, spiritual depth and personal integrity.

Beginning with an on-campus two-week intensive retreat in July, participants form culturally diverse ecumenical peer groups to expand their leadership skills, deepen their theological and spiritual core, and explore ways to enhance their careers and communities during intensive sessions during summer, fall, winter, and the final summer. The program includes classes, peer group experiences, and theological reflection supported by a relationship with a spiritual coach provided by the program. Drawing pastoral leaders from a variety of contexts, the participants meet on campus for two consecutive summer intensives and one three day intensive in the intervening fall and winter. All other work continues through hybrid distance learning models designed to support peer reflection and community building, organization based activities that support personal and professional goals throughout the year. Some participants in the program will decide to continue their studies by completing the Doctor of Ministry degree. Others will conclude their studies with the Post-Master’s Certificate.

Admission Requirements 

The PMC in Pastoral Leadership requires a demonstrated exercise of pastoral leadership. References from communities or organizations served by the applicant will attest to the applicant’s leadership of the community. All candidates must have completed a Master degree program or its equivalent from an accredited  institution.

Application Procedure for the Pastoral Leadership Program

To apply to the program, submit the following items to the Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry Office:

• A completed application form with a non-refundable $55 application fee. Fee waived for Seattle University alumni.
• Official transcripts reflecting a Master’s degree in pastoral ministry or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Equivalency many be obtained at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Students who do not meet the admission requirements may be admitted on a probationary status at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.00 cumulative on a scale of 4.00 is required.
• Two letters of recommendation from your endorsing official using the School’s form found in the application packet. All applicants must be currently involved in pastoral ministry/leadership. The recommendations attest to the applicant’s religious, moral, and intellectual qualifications for ministry. Recommenders must be: A)  someone who is qualified to attest to the applicant’s academic ability and B) a person who knows the quality of the applicant’s pastoral ministry / leadership.
• A five- to six-page essay in which the applicant describes (Please use these subheadings in your essay):
  1. The applicant’s understanding of ministry in light of a given faith tradition, reasons for undertaking the Program, and how it relates to an understanding of ministry/leadership.
  2. A specific challenge to applicant’s particular ministerial leadership which s/he hopes to address in a future project.
• A detailed professional résumé
• If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the university’s entrance requirements are necessary. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for exceptions.
• Non-U.S. citizens must submit a copy of any and all documents issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for entry into the United States of America as a non-immigrant student, religious worker, or permanent resident. These documents include: a copy of the applicant’s current passport, U.S. visa, and I-94. These copies must be received before the applicant can begin studies.
• Following review of the application material, qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview

Upon completion of the program, participants earn a Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Leadership and eighteen hours of graduate credit which may be transferred to our Doctor of Ministry program or other advanced degree programs.