Lay preachers, Youth leaders, Pastors, Children and Family workers, Lay chaplains and others all undertake Certificate and Diploma studies. These courses enhance their ministry skills, deepen their understanding of the Bible and Christian theology, and enable them to grow in spiritual maturity and leadership ability.

The College teaches topics towards a Certificate and Diploma in Christian Life & Ministry accredited through the Adelaide College of Divinity. These are nationally recognised qualifications within the Vocational Education and Training(VET) sector. Uniting College now offers distance education nationally.

The Adelaide College of Divinity will be introducing new Certificate and Diploma courses from the beginning of 2012, designed to equip people in Christian faith and service.

Click here for a brochure:  Certificate & Diploma 2011 Brochure (323.71 kB)

From Semester One, 2012
Certificate IV in Christian Life & Ministry
400-500 hours normally 1 semester full-time or equivalent

From Semester Two, 2011
Diploma in Christian Life & Ministry
800-1000 hours normally 2 semesters full-time or equivalent 

From Semester One, 2012
Certificate III in Christian Life & Ministry
380-500 hours normally 1 semester full-time or equivalent

Certificate IV in Christian Life & Ministry
The course is designed for lay preachers, youth & children’s ministry leaders, and other local church leaders.
Core units cover Biblical studies, Christian beliefs, Christian living and discipleship, faith sharing, and group leadership. Elective units include worship leading and preaching, pastoral care, youth ministry, children and family ministry, sacraments, and creative arts. 

(Note: The current UCA requirements for the ministry of Lay Preacher are met within the Cert IV. However to complete the Cert IV, students will need to complete some units in addition to the Lay Preacher studies.) 

Diploma in Christian Life & Ministry
This course is designed for lay pastors, lay chaplains, youth and children’s ministry workers, creative arts directors, and other lay ministry employees
Core units cover Biblical studies, Christian beliefs, Ministry practice, and Mission engagement.
Elective units include developing ‘fresh expressions’ of church, mission service, pastoral care, leadership, youth ministry, children and family ministry, spiritual formation and creative arts. 

Certificate III in Christian Life & Ministry
This course is aimed primarily at school leavers and those wishing to explore the nature of Christian faith
Core units cover introductory Biblical studies, Christian beliefs, Christian living, and Exploring mission and culture.
Elective units include self-management, healthy relationships, vocational direction, peer mentoring, and communication skills 

Students choose elective units according to their interests or chosen ministry specialisation.

The courses have been designed to allow students to follow their particular interests in ministry, and have the flexibility of including units of competency taken from National Training Packages, with approval of the course coordinator.  Generally these units should come from the Community Services Training Package, Business Services Training Package or the Training and Assessment Training Package. Where a student is developing skills in worship leadership, units from the Entertainment Training Package or Music Training Package may be suitable. 

Certificate IV units will be taught in class mode and distance mode from Semester One, 2011. Most distance units will progressively be made available online as well as in print mode from the beginning of 2011.

Current students may complete the existing qualifications until the end of 2011, or transfer to the new qualifications, receiving credit for studies completed. The ACD will make contact with all existing students in October 2010 to advise about completion or transfer.

New students can enrol to commence the new qualifications from the beginning of 2011.

The timetable for 2011 classes will be available in November 2010.

For further information, visit the ACD website, call 08 8416 8427 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Adelaide College of Divinity is a Registered Training Organisation.
Uniting College is a member College of the Adelaide College of Divinity.