Diploma in Children's Evangelism and Nurture

Kids

Children are the Church of today and the Christian leaders of tomorrow. Work with children is an urgent need of our time, and thoughtful reflection on the nature of Christian ministry with children is especially needed. This part-time undergraduate diploma course, run in partnership with Scripture Union is directed at those working with children whether in Church, weekday clubs, street, uniformed organisations or school settings. It aims to produce ‘reflective practitioners', students who are rooted in ministry but have reflected biblically, theologically and culturally on the issues surrounding that ministry.

The CEN diploma is a two year, part time undergraduate course, and now has over 130 graduates, with an increasingly large proportion of diploma students now progressing onto the newly developed BA (Hons) in Children's and Youth Ministry. Students have found it stretching and very affirming of the work they are doing, whether they do that as a paid employee or on a voluntary basis. Graduate students have gone on to further full time work with children, quoting this qualification as significant in their employment.

Using students current youth work experience as their placement, and assessed by assignments and a focused research project, the course covers the unit areas:

Theology and Culture
The Child and the Church
The Ethics of Evangelism
Personal and Professional Development
Placements

The teaching is offered through five week long residential teaching units spread over the 2 years (3 in year 1, 2 in year 2), supported by supervised distance learning. In addition to the research project of 6,000 words which is delivered at the end of the course, a variety of assignments are set for completion between each teaching block.

This course, as with all our undergraduate courses, is validated by The University of Manchester and provides unique training in Children's Evangelism. The Course Director is Ian White, Children's and Youth Work Programme Leader at Cliff College, working alongside the Course Leader, Sharon Prior, Catalyst Training, and Piers Lane, Cliff College Tutor, with input by a variety of experts in the field including input by Scripture Union.

There is a limit of 25 students per year accepted on this popular course. If you are interested, then download the CEN application form, reference form and prospectus.

Or please contact our Undergraduate Administrator, Rosie Bourne for an application form and prospectus should you wish it to be sent by mail.

Qualifications required for all Part-Time Diploma courses

Admission to any of the part-time diploma courses is based on appraisal of qualities of character, perceived potential and Christian conviction. Evidence of academic potential and ability to profit from study is essential. Potential is assessed through references (including academic references for those recently in education) and an interview at the College or by a course tutor. As with all courses in the children's and youth work stream, students will need to have contact with children or young people for at least 100 hours per year.

Prospective students will either:

have completed the Cliff College Certificate in Biblical and Evangelistic Ministry (validated by the University of Sheffield at Level 4) OR the Cliff College Certificate in Theology (validated by the University of Manchester at Level 4)
have undertaken equivalent courses of study (Level 4) OR
have evidence of post-sixteen study and significant experience in the relevant field and focus of the diploma course (students will be required to complete and submit an APEL (Accredited Prior Experiential Learning) form have evidence of post-sixteen study and significant experience in the relevant field and focus of the diploma course

Successful completion of either the CEN or YMM courses allows progression to the BA (Hons) in Children's and Youth Ministry.