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Religious Education
Some students choose to combine their love for the study of religion with their desire for a career as an educator by pursuing a religious education major. This degree provides a comprehensive program to prepare laity and religious to fill the church's need for professional religious educators in schools, parishes and congregations.
Students gain teaching skills and experience, a tolerance for and appreciation of the beliefs of others and an understanding that religious education is not limited to formal classrooms, but can occur in many settings, such as small faith community groups.
Religious educators, like all educators, should possess the personal characteristics of creativity, patience and concern for others' development. They should be skilled at motivating others and be able to impart enthusiasm for their subject matter.
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Elementary or high school teacher
Lay apostolate
Liturgist
Missionary
Religion teacher
Religious education director
Writer/editor for religious publications
*Some positions may require additional education and/or training. Diocesan certification standards should be consulted. State certification/licensure to teach at the elementary or secondary levels available through the Education Department.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Information on employment outlook for the occupations listed above may be found at America’s Career InfoNet, http://www.acinet.org, the Occupational Information Network, http://online.onetcenter.org, or the Occupational Outlook Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/oco.
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Churches
College/university campus ministries
Elementary and secondary schools
Lay religious institutions
Religious publishing houses
Retreat centers
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books (* denotes books available in the Career Center Library)
- *Eberts, Marjorie & Gisler, Margaret. Careers for Good Samaritans and Other Humanitarian Types, Lincolnwood,
IL: VGM Career Horizons, 1998.
- *Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, Vol. 4, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2000.
- Fine, Janet. Opportunities in Teaching Careers, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2005.
- *Fogg, Neeta, et.al. The College Majors Handbook, Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works, Inc., 2004.
- Nelson, John Oliver. Opportunities in Religious Service Careers, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Books, 2004.
Professional Associations
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 415 Michigan Avenue, NE, Suite 40, Washington, DC. 20017-4502, www.nfcym.org.
Web sites
Occupational Information Network, O*Net Online, http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/21-2021.00.
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