Purpose of Program

The purpose of this Unity-and-Diversity Ministry training is to prepare people who feel inspired and called to service for the betterment and healing of people and planet. The training is based upon the attempt to understand and foster “unity and diversity” and a spirit of interconnectedness among all peoples and all life. Through cultivating each person’s own path and respecting that of others, we build bridges across differences and foster a more loving and caring world.

Candidates are given comprehensive training that permits many possible applications of a Unity and Diversity Ministry. The program is built around five pillars including world faiths, ministry skills, sacred activism, service, and spiritual journeys. However, it is flexible enough to allow different individual focus depending on individuals’ own aims and mission in the world. Training for this type of ministry can be applied to healing, counseling, communication, ceremony, inclusivity, community and team-building, social movements, and numerous other roles, depending on one’s individual path and calling.

 

Program Structure

The program is built upon “5 pillars”

  • Religions
  • Ministry Skills
  • Special Topics
  • Internships
  • Spiritual Journey

 

The program emphasizes a 1-on-1 tutorial style of instruction and guidance which is very flexible, according to the individuals’ needs and goals as an interfaith minister.

72 Total Units are required, breaking down as follows:

 

Note: the electives may come from courses within Pillar I, II, or III depending upon individual needs

 

Course requirements

Different types of courses comprise the first 3 pillars. The courses are individualized tutor-style courses, requiring independent initiative. They are not nearly as comprehensive as going through a full university class on the topic, yet detailed enough to attain a rounded understanding. The average student can complete one course per month on the side, while still working or studying full-time. Students will typically receive about 6-10 contact hours with their instructors during that course time, while also having to do reading, writing, and other activities, which differ based on the course, instructor, and student goals. As stated above, students must take at least 3 religion courses, 8 ministry skills courses, and 3 special topics courses. However, they can spread out their further 9 elective courses between the three areas depending on their own interests and needs.

 

 

I) Religion courses: these courses are categorized by religion and theme. Choose at least 3.

 

 

II) Ministry Skills courses: 8 of these courses are required, while others are available as electives.

 

 

III) Special Topics courses: 1 of these courses are required, and students must choose at least 2 more,
while others are available as electives.

 

 

Pillar IV: Internship

There are 2 required internships.

  1. UDC internship (at least 40 hours over through 3 months): Students must help within some part of UDC organization. This will help them familiarize themselves with the organizations people, structure, and values, while providing some service to the organization and helping us to get to know you better.
  2. External internship (at least 40 hours over through 3 months): Students must volunteer or work within a community organization that provides some humanitarian or other social benefit, while trying to apply knowledge they’ve gained through their coursework. The organization is chosen in consultation with program mentors and directors. At the end, students are also required to provide one presentation through UDC about their experience and about the organizational services provided.

 

Pillar V: Spiritual Journey

Students must commit to and continue a spiritual practice or set of spiritual practices while in the program. Students will work under the guidance of a spiritual teacher; this may be someone the student is already familiar with, like a priest, Imam, guru, or other type of spiritual leader. However, we can also help connect students to spiritual teachers if interested. Through the course of their journey, students must also maintain a journal with regularly submitted entries about the development of their path. They must submit at least 12 entries about their spiritual practice and at least 12 entries about how their own spiritual journey relates to other areas of the ministry program.

 

Costs

  • $150 application fee (non-refundable)
  • $250 per course ($6000 for full 24 courses)
  • $1000 enrollment fee (EF)*
  • $1000 mid-program fee (MPF)*

Total: $5500 – $8000 depending on previous experience and program length*
*Scholarships available to offset this cost for those with demonstrated financial need

 

Applications

  • Stages of Application Process:
    1. Submit Application and have References submit Letters of Recommendation
      • Please ensure that the Letters have also been submitted or the process could be delayed
      • Background Check
    2. Notified whether your application passes initial review by the application committee
      • Notification will come within 6 weeks of receiving all application materials
    3. Set up Interview
    4. Notified whether you pass the interview
    5. Acceptance into Program

Application:

To inquire about applications, please contact
Nathan.udc{at}gmail.com  or  CliffIshigaki{at}gmail.com