CCMA Mission

To be the voice and promote the mission of the Church among students in higher education by empowering campus ministers through formation, networking and resources.

Support CCMA

Catholic Campus Ministry Association is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Campus Ministry Certification

In 1993 the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA) began implementation of a professional certification program for its members. Certification is a distinction for a campus minister signifying a high level of competence, as well as significant personal, theological and spiritual reflection. Certification is valid for seven years.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service has approved the certification standards and procedures of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association for the role of Campus Minister for the period of 2001 through 2016. The USCCB Subcommittee national office is located at 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017.
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catholic-education/certification/

Prerequisites to Certification

  • An advanced degree beyond bachelor degree level in theology, religious studies or pastoral ministry -OR- An advanced degree beyond bachelor degree level in a field other than theology, religious studies or pastoral ministry, plus 18 graduate credits in theology, religious studies or pastoral ministry from an accredited college or university.”
  • Two years’ full-time professional experience in campus ministry or five years part-time. This experience must be in a college or university environment.
  • Current membership in the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA).
  • Be able to obtain an Ecclesial endorsement. The USCCB Commission on Certification and Accreditation defines this as formal recognition by a bishop in the diocese of a candidate’s residence, a candidate’s major superior if the candidate is a member of a religious order, or a candidate’s ordinary if a candidate is a diocesan priest, that a person is a Roman Catholic in good standing and approved for ministry.
  • Demonstration of Professional Competency in campus ministry. This can be demonstrated in many ways including but not limited to the following:
    • Any prior supervised ministry experience, including those in other pastoral ministry settings. One semester of 400 hours of ministry under supervision is required.
    • A supervised ministry experience in your current ministry position that you create. This learning experience must include the development of learning objectives and be evaluated and documented by a supervisor that you select. Your regional representative from the Certification Committee can help you design this process.
    • One unit of Clinical Pastoral Evaluation (CPE).
    • A field internship in pastoral ministry.
    • Peer Review Process (for campus ministers with greater than five years full-time or seven years part-time professional campus ministry experience). The peer review is an informal collegial discussion about the campus minister's experience of ministry in higher education. The instructions for the Peer Review Process are included in the Certification Kit.                  

Please consult your certification regional representative or the national office with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Check out the link below to discover the answers to commonly asked questions about Certification.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Request a Certification Kit

If you meet the prerequisites above, please contact us for a detailed Certification Kit!

Catholic Campus Ministry Association
430 Reading Road
Suite 400
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
TF: 888.714.6631
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Renewal of Certification

Attention Campus Ministers Certified in 2006!

Your certification expires December 31, 2013. Please begin your renewal process by returning the Renewal of Certification forms to the national office. Keep your status current by simply downloading the form below and submit it to the national office at CCMA Certification Renewal, 430 Reading Road, Suite 400, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, or fax to 513.842.0171. Please contact Christine Bennett at 888.714.6631, Ext. 17, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  with any questions.

 Renewal of Certification Form