Certificate in Christian Leadership Studies
The most popular certificate offered by The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) is the “Certificate in Christian Leadership Studies (CLS),” which is conferred upon all students who complete our 16-module, 32-credit-hour program consisting of the Capstone Curriculum. Students from an approved TUMI satellite in good standing are eligible to receive this certificate, provided the curriculum protocols are followed from an approved mentor.

Certificate in Urban Theological Studies
The second most widely-used certificate program is the “Certificate in Urban Theological Studies (CUTS),” which is also a 32-credit-hour program. The difference between this certificate (CUTS) and the Capstone (CLS) certificate is that an approved satellite can work with TUMI to design a unique combination of courses, drawing from three sources:
TUMI’s Capstone Curriculum (an integrated set of 16 fixed courses that will not be added to in the future)

  • TUMI’s Foundations Series (an on-going list of TUMI-taught courses covering various topics)
  • Courses developed by an approved satellite (“Site Developed Course” [SDC])

Ministerial Studies Diploma
TUMI students may also pursue our advanced program, the Ministerial Studies Diploma by completing an additional 32 credit hours of study (64 credit hours in total). The program begins with the completion of a required course: the Ministry Assessment Project. This course helps a student assess their gifts, calling, and ongoing direction in ministry and brings their pastoral or denominational supervisor in the process of designing their diploma program and coordinating it with their ministry responsibilities. For some, this diploma may form the basis for licensing or ordination by the candidate's church or mission. Again, while a satellite has complete flexibility to select those courses which best meet the needs of their students, they must retain the balance of providing eight credit hours in each department area: Biblical Studies, Theology and Ethics, Christian Ministry, and Urban Mission, and at least 50% of the course work for this certificate must be drawn from our TUMI courses.

Locally Approved Certificates
Some of our partners desire to offer a certificate that is recognized only by themselves and do not seek any approval from TUMI. Each satellite is free to offer such a locally-approved certificates, but the students’ work will not be transferable to other satellites, nor recognized by TUMI’s accredited partners.