Religious Education Credentialing Program

The Religious Education Credentialing Program is a three-level program for religious education professionals that nurtures the call to religious education as a profession, provides a comprehensive path for professional development, and articulates and upholds professional standards and guidelines in religious education leadership. The three levels are Credentialed Religious Educator - Skilled Level (formerly Associate); Credentialed Religious Educator - Advanced Level (formerly Credentialed); and Credentialed Religious Educator - Leadership Level (formerly Master). This program is open to current religious educators—people who already hold religious education staff positions in Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations and organizations.

The Religious Education Credentialing Program is administered by the Religious Education Credentialing Committee (RECC) of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in collaboration with the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA).

If you are interested in preparing for a career in UU religious education, contact the Professional Development Programs Manager, recredentialing@uua.org. The Religious Education Credentialing Program Resource List and other program materials can be used as guides to your preparation.

Benefits to the Congregation and Professional

  • Stronger, more vital religious education programs and multigenerational ministries as the religious educator integrates learning into programming;
  • A religious educator with demonstrated knowledge and skill in the many areas of religious education leadership, such as program administration; Unitarian Universalist history; religious education philosophy; anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism; and right relations and professional ethics;
  • Assurance that the religious educator has met professional development standards and is held accountable to LREDA's professional ethics guidelines by the UUA;
  • The potential for enhanced collegial relationships among staff members as the religious educator seeks to deepen and broaden professional and program development; and
  • A religious educator with the professional confidence that comes from knowing that they have been evaluated and recognized by the UUA as a professional religious educator, and recognition by the UUA as a congregation that supports and values professional excellence.

Program Information

Rev. Sarah Gettie McNeill, Professional Development Programs Manager, gives an overview of the RE Credentialing Program in this webinar: