Pastor's Alternative for Teacher Certification (PATC)
The Christian Education Department recognizes the training and experience of pastors within Christian education. Because pastors have experience in leading and teaching, this program has been develop as an alternative program of certification for ordained pastors.
Pastors with five or more years of pastoral experience prior to December 31, 2001 are eligible for the program. Pastors will be required to satisfy 15 hours of training in the alternative program. The program includes a hybrid emphasis of the following components:
1. Introduction to COPP
2. Creative Ways of Teaching
3. Two-hour briefing on all courses required for COPP
Pastor's Eligibility Certificate will be awarded when the following requirements have been met:
- Pastor must submit a letter from church, on church stationery, verifying years of pastorate. Years as an assistant pastor are not accepted.
- Verification by program instructor that ll training hours have been completed.
- Payment of all fees associated with the program.
The pastor-teacher will be required to follow all procedures as set forth for certified instructors. Pastor-teacher that becomes certified is eligible to teach in a CLS. Form #3 is submitted to CLS dean and processed along with other potential instructors.
Scheduling a Pastor's Alternative for Teacher Certification
District Association, State Convention and other authorized convening bodies may host this program. Requirements to convene a PATC school are:
- Submit a letter requesting the Pastor's Alternative for Teacher Certification to the Director of Christian Education at least sixty (60) days prior to the proposed date. An alternate date should also be requested.
- Receive authorization to conduct the program.
- Pre-enroll a minimum of twenty-five (25) eligible participants.
Complete application for participants and forward fees to the Department of Christian Education. The application fee is currently $100.00 per participant, which includes: registration fee, processing fee, Informer subscription and course book.
Note: The Pastor's Alternative for Teacher Certification Program is sponsored by the Department of Christian Education of the Sunday School Publishing Board. The Board sponsorship includes providing instructor for the program and the instructor's transportation. Host is asked to provide hotel accommodation, food and love token. Should there be less than twenty-five eligible participants; the host will be responsible for the total cost of the program.
Note: Prospective teacher's application Form #3 must be submitted by certified dean as a part of CLS packet. Application for Certification of Instructors along with complete Phase I requirements and copies of cards for courses #2023 and #9008 or college transcript with equivalent courses in teacher education are essentially needed for those who have completed the program.
Certified teacher must complete a Form #3 for each course desired to teach in a leadership school. Form #3 must be submitted as a part of the CSL package by the Dean.