Graduate Certificate in Disability and Ministry

Graduate Certificate students take three core curriculum courses and four elective courses, a total of 21 credit hours. Students can take a core course and a 3-credit elective each semester, completing the program in two years if they wish. Not all courses are offered every year.

Our courses always include the voices of people with disabilities, and some of the professors who teach in the program also have disabilities.

View our general courses

View the disability-related courses

Who should consider the GCDM program?

Pastors, elders, ministers, church leaders, workers and volunteers who are interested in and/or engaged in disability ministry will gain tools and strength to help them in their calling.

What if I already have an M.Div?

Graduates who already possess an M.A. or M.Div. (from any ATS approved institution) who apply for the GCDM receive “advanced standing” and will be required to complete Introduction to Disability and the Church and 4 of the disability-related electives.

Can I take courses at night? On weekends?

WTS tries to schedule its courses to make it possible for pastors and congregational leaders working in the field to attend. This entire program is available as a distance learning course.

What are the professors like? Are they actively involved in disability ministry?

The professors of the GCDM program are a knowledgeable and experienced group. And courses that address disability concerns will be taught by or at least include the voices of persons with disabilities.

Will I have access to professors, the bookstore, the library and other services?

Seminary offices and the library are open during the times when GCDM courses are held, so students have access to the services they need to succeed in their studies.

What if my own theology is different than that which WTS embraces?

WTS is an institution that values its identity as ecumenical and evangelical, welcoming students from a number of Christian theological traditions. While WTS is Reformed in its theological identity, many current students in the GCDM and other study programs hold membership in non-Reformed denominations.

What do the courses cost?

Each successfully-completed course in the GCDM program earns the student three credit hours. The three credit-hour courses cost $1,374.

Is financial aid available?

Tuition discounts are available. Discounts are based on financial need using EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the FAFSA, membership in the Reformed Church in America, racial status, and GPA. Students with disabilities may apply for funding from the The Gilkison Fellowship, which provides financial support for one course per semester while they are enrolled in the program.

Student loans are not available. You must be enrolled at least half time in a degree program (not certificate program) to qualify for student loans.

Are classes in the GCDM program graduate level courses?

Yes, each course in the GCDM program at WTS is taught at the graduate level and earns students 3 Master’s level credits, which are transferable into Master of Divinity programs at accredited seminaries. Students who complete the entire program will earn 21 Master’s credits, much of the credit requirement for the first year of the Master of Divinity degree program at WTS.

How do I apply?

Click here for application form. Click here to read the GCDM admissions policy. With the application, you must submit: • $50 application fee • Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, whether or not you received a degree • A one page, double spaced description of how you hope theological education will enhance and/or empower your ministry. Call or write Dr. Ben Conner for more information on applying, at benjamin.conner@westernsem.edu, or 1-(800) 392-8554, ext. 193.

Julie Myers, M.Div., GCDM, with Dr. Ben Conner, Commencement 2017

As I reflect on my seminary journey, I can’t help but think that God had the GCDM Program in His plan for WTS.

In the Fall of 2016, as I began my senior year at Western, Dr. Conner began to talk about a Graduate Certificate Program in Disability Ministry. I thought this was a great idea and decided to see about adding this certificate to my MDIV degree. I knew I wanted to work in some capacity with those with disabilities, so this seemed to be the perfect answer. My initial thoughts were that I would have to add a few extra classes to my schedule to meet the requirements for the Graduate Certificate. I had planned on graduating in May, 2017 and picking up the additional classes I would need for the GCDM at a later date.

I was surprised to learn that I had earned enough credits with the other disability courses I had already taken, and I would be the first student to earn the GCDM! I was so honored not only to graduate with the GCDM, but to be the first student to do so!

As I began to search for a call, I knew that I wasn’t feeling called to be a solo Pastor, but I definitely wanted to serve in a role in which I could utilize my gifts of servanthood. This led me to accept a call as Special Needs Coordinator at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Mi. I was hired for this position in large part due to the extra experience I had gained with the GCDM.

The things I learned throughout my time at WTS gave me great insight into the needs of our Churches to integrate those with disabilities into their congregations. Now, as I am entering into my ninth month as Special Needs Coordinator at Mars Hill, I am able to do just that. Mars Hill offers classrooms and resources for both adults and children with disabilities.

One of the most critical things I believe is that a disability doesn’t just affect the person who is disabled; it affects the entire family. As a result, my focus at Mars Hill is turning toward the family as a unit. What does it look like to offer respite to parents and caregivers? What does it look like to educate our congregations on the importance of being an inclusive Church, including those with all abilities, to participate in Worship?

The GCDM has enabled me to address these questions in my current position at Mars Hill. Although it is a work in progress, the awareness brought to our congregations is vital. We must care for those who are differently abled, just as we would care for anyone else in need.

If you are considering pursuing the GCDM, I highly encourage you to listen to God’s prompting. You will be blessed as you learn about the opportunities and struggles that exist for those who are differently abled. You will learn how to work with Churches and other organizations in stressing the importance of caring for and being inclusive of those with disabilities.

–Julie Myers, M.Div., GCDM