Professional Certificates

Educator Certificates

Graduate-level professional certification for Christian educators, whether you're in the classroom, the principal's office, or preparing to lead.

Three Certificates

Grow Your Practice, Deepen Your Calling

ICS offers three certificate pathways for Christian educators who want to develop leadership skills grounded in a biblical worldview. Each certificate can be completed through ICS courses, and every one can serve as a gateway into our graduate degree programs.

CSTC

Christian School Teacher's Certificate

The CSTC is administered by Vocate and endorsed by Edvance. It integrates theory and practice in Christian education and is required by many Edvance-affiliated schools. ICS courses are approved in multiple CSTC areas.

Vocate Administered Edvance Endorsed
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CILC

Christian Instructional Leadership Certificate

For classroom teachers who want to deepen their Christian worldview in the context of their teaching. The CILC focuses on the integration of faith and practice, a commitment to meeting the needs of all learners, and a posture of growth.

4 Courses ICS Certificate Gateway to MA-EL
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CSAC

Christian School Administration Certificate

For current and aspiring school administrators committed to leadership marked by vision, character, and adaptability, cultivating learning communities of belonging rooted in a Christian worldview.

4 Courses ICS Certificate Gateway to MA-EL
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CILC & CSAC Requirements

Two Streams, Four Courses Each

Both ICS certificates require the completion of four graduate-level courses. Choose the stream that matches your role and calling.

Instructional Leadership

For classroom teachers

Note: Transformative Teaching: The Practice of Christ-Centred Education can be taken in place of Deeper Learning.

School Administration

For current & aspiring administrators

Note: How to Govern a School can replace How to Coach a Strong Team or How to Finance a Vision.

Course Descriptions

Explore the Certificate Courses

A course designed to inspire and support K–12 educators in their personal journey of learning. Participants consider a deeply Christian vision for their lives as educators and reflect on teaching in light of faith and spiritual formation. The course guides educators through an experience of refreshment and renewal.
CILC Required
A course for instructional leaders that explores learning as a journey from wonder to inquiry to action. It helps Christian educators develop Deeper Learning within the context of celebrating the learner as image-bearer, mindful learning design, and responsiveness to culture.
CILC Required
A course for instructional leaders considering their roles as Christian educators called to be transformers of society and culture. It examines constructivism through the lens of Scripture and explores Christian practices within teaching.
CILC Alternate
A course for both instructional leaders and school administrators exploring school and classroom cultures. Content includes attention to social and cultural contexts, racial justice, Indigenous perspectives, human sexuality, restorative practices, and how these topics impact and form school and classroom cultures.
CILC Required CSAC Required
Leadership is an art, a craft, a practice, to which everyone is called. This course explores positional and contributory leadership, algorithmic and heuristic leadership practices, and the work of motivating a group of people as they shape what they share: making beneficial change happen and ensuring needed maintenance.
CILC Required CSAC Required
A course for current and aspiring school administrators who want to cultivate their people skills. Focuses on competencies in having crucial conversations and coaching colleagues for professional development, with opportunities for learning about talent acquisition and employment termination, all grounded in meditations on being human and imaging God in the world.
CSAC Required
A course for new and aspiring school administrators providing frameworks and tools for connecting a school's vision with the budgeting process and fundraising. Begins with Henri Nouwen's spirituality of fundraising and continues through financial documents, storytelling through budgets, and working with school boards and staff.
CSAC Required
A course for new and aspiring principals, school leadership teams, and school boards. It provides frameworks and tools for educational governance: nurturing stakeholder relationships, stewardship of vision and mission, strategic policy formulation, monitoring executive performance, and accountability to the school community.
CSAC Alternate

Your Pathway

From Certificate to Master's Degree

Every ICS certificate course counts as credit toward our graduate programs. Your certificate work isn't a detour; it's the first leg of a larger journey.

Step 1

Complete a Certificate

Step 2

Apply to a Degree

Step 3

Transfer Credits

Ready to Get Started?

Email the Academic Registrar with your questions. Or explore the full course catalogue to see what's available this term.