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Online Certification for Parish Catechists and Catholic School Teachers

Not in the Diocese of Palm Beach? Read this.

Catechist Certification Guidelines - Diocese of Palm Beach

  • There are three levels of certification available for Catechists: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Basic and Intermediate Certification are required for all catechists who teach in parish programs, but all catechists are encouraged to also obtain Advanced Certification.
  • All Catholic School Teachers who teach in the Diocese of Palm Beach must obtain a Foundation Certificate.
  • Elementary Catholic School Teachers who teach one or two classes of Religion must obtain a Level One Catechist Certificate.  Elementary Catholic School Teachers who teach three or more classes of Religion must obtain a Level Two Certificate.
  • Middle School [6-7-8] Core Curricular Teachers must obtain a Foundation Certificate. Middle School Catholic School Teachers who teach Religion must obtain a Level Two Certificate.
  • High School teachers who teach Religion and Campus Ministers who do not hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Religious Studies or Theology must obtain a Level Three Certificate.

Basic Catechist Certification

Foundation Certificate for Teachers


Complete the following courses:

  • Foundational Principles and Practices for Catechists
  • Getting to Know Vatican II
  • An Introduction to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
  • Catechesis - Passing on the Faith: An Overview of the General Directory for Catechesis

Intermediate Catechist Certification

Level 1 Certificate for Teachers


Complete the following courses:

  • Building A Culture of Life — The Church's Social Teachings
  • Living Vatican II Today


Note: The courses in Intermediate/Level 1, while fewer in number than Basic/Foundation, are quite comprehensive in nature. Course 4 consists of six lessons; Course 5 consists of twelve lessons.

Also, while the work is the same for both Catechists and Catholic school teachers, the designation on the certificates of completion and the certification certificates is different.

Download the Goals and Objectives for the Basic/Foundation and Intermediate/Level 1 Courses

You must be officially enrolled before undertaking courses.

Advanced Catechist Certification/Levels 2 and 3 for Teachers

Enroll in the School of Christian Formation Online

Important: If you enrolled in the Searchlight Virtual School for either the Basic/Foundation or Intermediate/Level 1 Certification and already have a Student Number, it is NOT necessary to re-enroll when starting SCF courses. Simply order School of Christian Formation courses using your current Student Number.

Download the Goals and Objectives for the Online School of Christian Formation Courses

SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION ONLINE

One must first earn the Basic and Intermediate Catechist Certification or, if a teacher in a Catholic school, the Foundation and Level 1 Certification, then participate in the School of Christian Formation (a diocesan sponsored adult faith formation program) to earn the Advanced Catechist Certification. 


The School of Christian Formation has an online division provided by the Searchlight Virtual School, therefore Advanced Catechist Certification and Level 2 and 3 for teachers can also be earned via the internet. Online courses require completion of online tutorials and submission of an electronic assessment of the course text. Cost: $30.00 per course, plus the purchase of the text.


PARISH CATECHISTS

Catechists who have already earned their Basic and Intermediate Certification through the Searchlight Virtual School automatically receive credit for the Vatican II and Social Doctrine courses upon enrollment in the School of Christian Formation, but must complete the remaining eight courses to obtain the Advanced Catechist Certification.


CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Catholic school teachers who have earned the Foundation and Level 1 Certification, must complete four School of Christian Formation courses to earn Level 2 and an additional four courses to earn Level 3. Note: Vatican II and Social Doctrine cannot be included in these additional courses if the Foundation and Level 1 Certifications were earned through the Searchlight Virtual School, as this material will have already been covered in those earlier levels.

The Searchlight Virtual School is a Division of Ocean East Publishing.

Online Certification for Parish Catechists and Catholic School Teachers, Confirmation Preparation for Adults, and Adult Faith Formation.

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