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Director of Religious Education Certification
Director of Religious Education (DRE) Certification is the process whereby a person is granted recognition for demonstrated compliance with the professional standards of her/his ministry (USCCB/CCA, Manual, p. 1).
 Benefits of Certification
- Official Recognition: certification officially recognizes those who are competent as Directors of Religious Education.
- National Credentials: certification is recognized across the United States with the certification standards and procedures approved by the USCCB/CCA Office.
- Continuing Formation: a person commits to ongoing education and formation.
- Credentials approved by the Archdiocese of Detroit: credentials meet the requirements specified by the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Certification Process
Step One
Applicant applies for packet
Step Two
Completes all forms
Step Three
Returns completed forms.
Step Four
Upon confirmation, Applicant is interviewed by the Certification Review Board.
Step Five
Board approves or declines application and notifies
Guidelines for Certification
Level I:
- Provisional Certification—granted to a person serving full or part time in an Archdiocese of Detroit parish.
- has basic certification as a catechist
- has completed self-assessment instrument and interview with the Certification Review Board.
Level II:
- has basic certification as a catechist
- 24 credit hours (240 class hours) in Religious Education, Catechetics, Theology, Education, Ministry and Administration
- has completed self-assessment instrument and interview with the Certification Review Board.
Level III:
- has basic certification as a catechist
- BA in Catechetics, Religious Education or its equivalent (30 credit hours, 300 class hours), plus 10 credits (100 hours) in Education and 5 credits (50 hours) in Administration and/or Ministry
- has demonstrated leadership or administrative ability in the field of religious education/catechetics
- has completed self-assessment instrument and interview with the Certification Review Board.
Level IV:
- has basic certification as a catechist
- MA in Catechetics/Religious Education or Theology or its equivalent (24 graduate credit hours) and has 16 credits (160 hours) in Education and 10 credits (100 hours) in Administration and/or Ministry
- has demonstrated leadership or administrative ability in the field of religious education/catechetics
- has completed self-assessment instrument and interview with the Certification Review Board.
Additional Requirements
- Informed Consent for Release of Information
- Authorization for release of Criminal History Information
- Michigan Department of State Driving Record Request
- Baptismal Certificate
Length and Renewal
Certification is granted for five years. Certification is renewed upon evidence of continuing education and on-going formation. This process involves completing the Self-Assessment form and Certification Renewal form. Each successive renewal is for five years.
Application Deadlines
November 15th and March 15th
Review Board Interviews
Scheduled after acceptance of application
Decision Communicated
Promptly
Certificates Issued
January and May
Competency-Based Approach
The competency based approach to certification holds the Director of Religious Education responsible for her or his skill level. These competencies are based on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation.
The Standards recognize that persons come to the ministry through both formal and informal means of education. The use of the competency based system allows the minister to evaluate and decide her/ his own goals.
Mentoring
All those seeking certification as a Director of Religious
Education are invited to be involved in the mentoring process.
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