Depending on the setting chosen, these courses provide the opportunity to develop skills in preaching, teaching, counseling, and administration. While the majority of the student's time may be spent in pastoral work, time is also provided for reading, reflection, and evaluation. A number of churches and other agencies and organizations cooperate with Union-PSCE on this program. Supervisors are trained at Union-PSCE and congregations are strongly encouraged to establish a lay committee to work closely with the student. The dialogue with the laity, the interaction with the supervisor, and the sharing of the life of the congregation or organization are essential components in the process of educating persons for effective ministry.
Students are eligible to receive compensation for all supervised ministry experiences.
Students who are already serving churches or are involved in other ministry settings are permitted to receive supervised ministry credit provided the setting is approved and qualified supervision exists. This is a course during which students participate in the life of a church or institution for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 15 months. All supervised ministry courses must be approved in advance by the office of field education and placement.