FAQ
- What is Children’s Ministries University Online (CMUO)?
- What is the goal of CMUO?
- Is CMUO accredited?
- What children’s ministries training courses can be completed online?
- How much will each class cost?
- Is financial aid available?
- What if I already have a degree?
- Do I ever have to visit or attend classes on campus?
- Can credits earned through CMUO be transferred to another institution?
- Can credits earned at another institution be transferred to CMUO?
- Do I need a college degree in order to take CMUO courses?
- What are the registration deadlines?
- When can I begin taking CMUO courses?
- Is CMUO for children’s ministers of any denomination?
- Is it hard to use the online courseroom?
- How do I receive and hand in my assignments?
- How do I interact with my instructor and classmates?
- What time are classes held?
- How many courses can I take at once?
- How long does a course last?
- Do courses have specific start and end dates?
- How long will it take me to complete the entire certificate program?
- How do I apply to CMUO?
- How and when do I register for courses?
- How will I know which courses to take?
- What if I have more questions?
CMUO is an Internet-based training program for Children’s Pastors, leaders, teachers, and helpers in Evangelical Christian circles.
What is the goal of CMUO?
We exist to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in Children’s Ministries. Our desire is to help you sharpen your ministry tools so that children will be blessed through your ministry to them and those that serve them.
Is CMUO accredited?
Yes. Children’s Ministries University Online is an extension of Valley Forge Christian College. It is accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Students enrolling in CMUO will earn college level credit transferable to most institutions. Click here for more information regarding VFCC’s accreditation.
What children’s ministries training courses can be completed online?
All CMUO courses are fully-online, meaning that learners can complete the entire 30-credit certificate program in Children’s Ministries from Valley Forge Christian College without ever needing to travel to the Phoenixville campus. A complete listing of the available online courses is available here.
How much will each class cost?
After paying an application fee of $25, the student will pay just $90.00 per credit hour for each class. CMUO courses range from 1-3 credits. Therefore, the tuition cost for each CMUO class varies from $90 – $270, depending upon the number of credits that the course is worth. That is a discount of over 80% compared to most traditional on-campus college courses. Learners can also expect the cost of books for each class to be within $25-$50. All CMUO application and course registration fees are shown in US dollars and payment of course registration must be in US currency.
Is financial aid available?
CMUO courses are offered at a substantial tuition discount. Financial aid for students is provided in the institutional scholarship that is reflected in the discounted tuition rate available to all CMUO students.
What if I already have a degree?
CMUO classes can be taken as continuing education courses giving you a deeper understanding of principles and practices in Children’s Ministry.
Do I ever have to visit or attend classes on campus?
No. All admissions, registration, class work, and interaction with the professor can be done at your home or office computer. Look for future information on CMU Live events in your area.
Can credits earned through CMUO be transferred to another institution?
Yes, credits are earned from Valley Forge Christian College and can be transferred to any other Bible college or seminary that accepts transfer credits. Check with your current instutition regarding the policy for accepting transfer credits. Accreditation is an important criteria most institutions look to when determing whether or not to accept transfer credits. Click here for more information regarding VFCC’s accreditation.
Can credits earned at another institution be transferred to CMUO?
Learners may transfer up to 6 credits from an accredited institution toward the Certificate in Children’s Ministry. In order for transfer credits to be considered for CMUO, an email from the learner to admissions@vfcc.edu notifying Valley Forge Christian College of the intention to transfer credits and an official printed transcript mailed to Admissions Office, Valley Forge Christian College, 1401 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA, 19460, USA are required.
Do I need a college degree in order to take CMUO courses?
No, you DO NOT need a college degree to apply for CMUO and begin taking courses. As a certificate program, CMUO is available for anyone who has a high school diploma. So, a college undergraduate degree is neither a prerequisite for admittance nor preclusive for those who wish to complete the online children’s ministry courses offered through CMUO. Someone who does happen to have a college undergraduate degree already and would like to either earn additional courses for continuing education or earn the entire certificate in children’s ministries certainly has the option to do so.
The intent of the program is to provide a flexible and customizable online children’s ministry learning experience. The primary academic prerequisite for admittance into the program is a high school diploma. If you have that, then you will be all set to apply.
What are the registration deadlines?
CMUO courses begin the first of every month. The registration deadline for any given month is the 25th of the previous month. Registrations received after the 25th will be accepted for courses beginning the following month. For instance, a registration received on August 27th would begin the course on October 1st.
When can I begin taking CMUO courses?
By signing-up today, you can then register for your first course and then begin the course as soon as the beginning of the next month. All announcements regarding application and registration will be sent to the CMUO email list. Click here to join the email list to receive these updates via email.
Is CMUO for children’s ministers of any denomination?
Yes! The mission of CMUO is to, "Prepare individuals for a life of ministry and service in children’s ministries." Every effort is made to ensure that the non-denominational, evangelical
children’s ministry training provided utilizes available online learning
technology and includes the most current children’s ministry pragmatics grounded
in a solid evangelical theological foundation.
Is it hard to use the online courseroom?
Not at all. Using the online courseroom is similar to using e-mail, your computer at work, or any basic software program. Check out the course tour and demo course to get a feel for how the online courseroom works.
How do I receive and hand in my assignments?
Just log in to your online courseroom. You can view and print assignments, as well as discuss them with your classmates. The courseroom also allows you to submit your assignments in either virtually any file format.
How do I interact with my instructor and classmates?
CMUO learners find that one of the most exciting advantages to our e-learning environment is the ongoing opportunity to interact with instructors and other learners.
- By email: Students and instructors exchange email addresses at the beginning of each course, which enables ongoing discussion outside of the online courseroom.
- By phone: You are free to exchange phone numbers with classmates.
- Using online discussion threads: Track topical discussions or respond to questions posed by your instructor.
- Networking through the learning community: Build ministry networks with other learners and CMUO instructors through CMUOnet, the personal learning community for all CMUO learners that is FREE!
- Blogging: Share your ideas with CMUO learners through your personal CMUOnet blog. Use your CMUOnet blog to share certain postings publicly online.
What time are classes held?
Any time, day or night, you can access your class and participate via our online courseroom, as long as you have an Internet connection. Students usually need to log in 2-5 times each week, but there is no set class schedule so you can “attend class” anytime. You can expect to spend 5-7 hours each week per course.
How many courses can I take at once?
It’s important to consider your family, work, and ministry responsibilities and the amount of available time you currently devote to each. You can expect to spend 5-7 hours per week for each course you are enrolled in.
While exceptions certainly exist, it is recommended that you enroll in no more than 2 courses at once. If you find that you are able to take an increased course load, you can always enroll for an additional course. Courses start monthly, allowing you to easily add to your course load. It’s always easier to add courses than to find out that you’ve overextended yourself. You don’t want to move too rapidly through the program at the expense of your family or ministry.
How long does a course last?
Each course consists of several units, with each unit designed to be completed in a 1-week timeframe. Each 1 credit course is comprised of 4 units, while 3-credit courses include 12 units. Therefore, each course is designed to be completed anywhere from 4-12 weeks.
Do courses have specific start and end dates?
Yes, each CMUO course has a designated start and end date. Courses start monthly and last from 1-3 months, depending upon the number of credits that the course is worth. While each 1 credit course is designed to be completed in 4 weeks and 3 credit courses to be completed in 12 weeks, learners have a built-in extension of 4 extra weeks to complete all coursework and assignments, in the event that they should need a little more time for a course. Courses are self-paced, in which each learner can choose the individual pace at which he or she will complete the course.
How long will it take me to complete the entire certificate program?
Your individual time constraints will determine exactly how long it may take you to complete this certificate program. Many learners are able to complete the program in 1 year or less, while others may proceed slower and take somewhat longer to finish all 10 courses. The program is designed to be flexible, so you can personalize your course load.
How do I apply to CMUO?
Simply complete the online application by clicking here and then pay the $25 application fee. You will then be contacted by one of our admissions staff with details necessary to register for your first course. It’s as simple as that!
How and when do I register for courses?
After you apply to the program and you pay the $25 application fee, you will be contacted by one of our admissions staff who will provide you with your CMUO username and password that is required to register for courses. The first step is therefore to apply to CMUO.
After you’ve been accepted to the program, you may register for courses at any time. CMUO courses have monthly start dates, so you don’t need to wait until the beginning of an academic semester to begin a course.
How will I know which courses to take?
Your class options and program requirements are easily accessible on this web site. An overview of the online certificate program is available here.
What if I have more questions?
If you have additional questions, contact CMUO Learner Support Specialist, Gina Stillman, at glstillman@vfcc.edu or call 610.917.1463. We look forward assisting you in every step of your journey toward furthering your children’s ministry education!
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