Church Management Certificate

About the Church Management Certificate at Loyola

Whether you are a member of the clergy, a church administrator or a leader in another type of nonprofit or faith-based setting, a strong combination of business and church management skills are needed to maintain and grow a thriving community. You need skills to effectively allocate resources, improve communication and engagement with staff, volunteers and congregations, ensure financial stability and growth, and promote a sense of community and ownership. The Church Management Certificate at Loyola University Chicago helps you close gaps in skills areas ranging from budgeting to project management, human resources, and organizational development and change.

The graduate certificate in Church Management is offered through Loyola's Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) and the Quinlan School of Business. In consultation with your academic advisor, you will choose two courses at the IPS and three courses at Quinlan. Unless you have previous experience, you will take accounting and management courses. You will also choose one elective course from a wide range of graduate business courses.

Program Structure

The Church Management Certificate can be pursued full-time or part-time. Classes are held online and on campus at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago.

Why Choose Loyola for Your Church Management Certificate?

In choosing Loyola for your graduate certificate in Church Management, you will grow within a faith-based leadership program. You will learn from expert faculty from both the ATS-accredited Institute of Pastoral Studies and the Quinlan School of Business, home to top-ranked and respected programs that educate ethical leaders and agents of social justice.

A skills-focused curriculum

The Church Management Certificate combines the spiritual and logical aspects of maintaining and developing a strong and thriving church community or faith-based organization. The certificate combines foundational skills in education for ministry along with key business fundamentals and skills.

The Jesuit education you receive at Loyola is a transformative one, marked by the tradition of cura personalis, “care for the whole person.” We help our students become their best selves to engage in our shared work, contributing to our community and being nurtured by it.

You will learn from and alongside instructors and colleagues from all over the country and the world who have a wide range of life and professional experiences.

You will be encouraged to further cultivate your voice, wisdom, and skills to grow your leadership skills for the betterment of your church or nonprofit community.

Under the guidance of your academic advisor, and based on your personal experience, you may substitute some courses for others to avoid redundancy or to create a specialized professional focus.

Courses for the Church Management Certificate are offered online so you have the flexibility to study while you continue working as a church or nonprofit leader.

When you complete your certificate, you will join an inspiring and supportive network of graduates from both the Institute of Pastoral Studies and the Quinlan School of Business.

Meet the Faculty

Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Institute of Pastoral Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Church Management Certificate program.

Faculty and Staff

Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the Church Management Certificate program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide Church Management Certificate learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic Catalog

Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.

Tuition and Costs

The estimated tuition and fees for the Church Management Certificate totals $12750.00, or 15 credit hours at a cost of $850.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid & Scholarships

More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid page.

Appointments and Events

Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

Schedule an Appointment

The Institute of Pastoral Studies offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

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Visit and Connect With Us

With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Church Management Certificate are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.

Fall, Spring, & Summer
Rolling admission

Recommended Deadlines
Fall: July 15
Spring: December 10
Summer: April 15

Final admission is 10 days before the start of classes

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the Church Management Certificate include:

  • Official Transcripts

  • 2 Letters of Recommendation

  • 3.0 Minimum GPA

  • Statement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose Details

Please submit a 1,500-word essay describing your personal, educational, professional, and ministerial background and how these have prepared you for the specific MA or Certificate program for which you have applied. In your essay, also address the following:

  • Prior undergraduate or graduate study in theology or philosophy, if any

  • The ways in which your professional life and any volunteer service have emphasized spiritually, community and social justice

  • A theological book(s) that has helped to shape your understanding of your proposed vocation and course of study

  • Your vision of ministry, your strengths relative to this vocation, significant influences on your faith life (including minsterial mentors or role models), and the professional context in which you see yourself working upon completion of your program

  • Why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Loyola's IPS

Official Documents

Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.

International Applicant Requirements

An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.

Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.

International Applicant Requirements
Start Your Application

Applying online to the Church Management Certificate program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.

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