Home | Membership | Minister Code of Ethics | Sermons |  Ordination Information         Interfaith Minister Training Course | New Interfaith Minister Training Course |  Links         FAQs & Interfaith News | Prayers & Quotes | World Religions Diploma Course                  Global Peace Works  

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for reading the Frequently Asked Questions about the United Interfaith Ministry & Institute.  We highly recommend that you read this FAQ in order to get a better idea as to how our distance learning, Interfaith minister training program works.  Please read it carefully so that you will know exactly what the program consists of before signing up.  If you have absolutely any questions about the FAQ, or if you have questions that aren't answered here, please do not hesitate to email us with any specific questions you may have.  Most of this information applies specifically to our Interfaith minister training program, but some of it also applies to our World Religions Diploma Course.  If you have read the FAQ before, and you are ready to take the next step in enrolling in our Interfaith minister training program, please email us to request an application.  For details about enrolling in our  world religions study program, please click here.

• What is the United Interfaith Institute?

The United Interfaith Institute is a distance learning program that specializes in providing a solid Interfaith minister education.  We are the educational branch of United Interfaith Ministries, Inc., and our Interfaith minister training program is the first step required for ordination through United Interfaith Ministries.  Our Interfaith minister training program is also available for those that are already ordained through non-traditional churches such as the Universal Life Church (ULC), Universal Ministries, the Church of Seven Planes, or any other recognized church.  For those that wish to learn about the world's religions, but do not wish to become Interfaith ministers, we also offer a World Religions Diploma Course. This program will allow you to learn about the world's religions without having to take our entire training program.

• How much does the Interfaith minister training program cost?

One of our main goals was keeping the program affordable.  The cost for the Interfaith minister training program is $199.97 (if paid in full) plus the cost of books and postage (if you decide to submit lessons via snail mail.)  If you request to be placed in a payment program, we two plans available. Plan A consists of four (4) equal payments of $55.00 US with the first payment due at time of enrollment. Plan B consists of twelve (12) payments consisting of an initial payment of $55.00 US due at time of enrollment and eleven (11) monthly payments of $15.00 US. Due to the nature of this material, the first $55.00 US of tuition is non-refundable. Subsequent payments will need to be made prior to beginning the second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter classes or monthly.  We do have partial scholarships available for those that can prove financial hardship.

• Is the United Interfaith Institute currently accredited?

The United Interfaith Institute is not accredited and will not claim accreditation from any fictitious accrediting bodies, unrecognized accrediting organizations, or any other illegitimate accrediting institutions.  Due to the religious nature of this institution, and its parent organization, accreditation is not required in order for us to award you with the appropriate certificate upon successful completion of our programs. We are however seeking accreditation from 5 different agencies and expect to complete the process within 3-5 years... which is the required amount of time based on the accrediting criteria.

• Who can be admitted into your educational programs?

We will usually admit anyone over the age of 18 into our minister training and religious studies programs. We do require that you fill out an enrollment form, but this is only for record keeping and has nothing to do with whether you will be admitted to the program.  Because of legal considerations involving minors, we do require that everyone that wishes to enroll in our program be at least 18 years of age.  Although we usually do admit anyone over the age of 18 into the program, we do reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason, if we feel it is necessary.  Please keep in mind that enrolling and completing the minister training program does not necessarily guarantee ordination through United Interfaith Ministries.  For details about enrolling in our free World Religions Diploma Course, please click here.

• What do the courses consist of, and how are they graded?

Each course (except for the volunteer work assignment) will consist of reading assignments (from both textbooks and websites) which you will be tested on.  Tests vary from course to course and will consist of multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, true / false questions, and essays.  For our volunteer work assignment, you will be required to submit a one page written essay each week on the progress you are making in your work.  The volunteer work you choose must be approved by us a month in advance, and must be of a ministerial nature (ie. volunteer hospital work, helping in a homeless shelter, etc.)

Each course is designed to be completed in one month, and the entire program is designed be completed in a year.  Although the program is setup to be completed in a year, we will allow you all the time you need in order to finish.  The courses are graded on a pass / fail basis with at least a 70% test average required in order to pass a course. 

Grading for tests that consist primarily of multiple choice questions, fill in the blank, matching, and true / false questions will be based on the number of questions you answered correctly.  Grading for tests that are primarily essay based will be determined by the ideas presented (understanding the subject matter, offering original interpretations, correct use of terminology), argument (easily being able to determine the author’s main point, proceeding logically from point to point, logical paragraph structure), and mechanics & style (spelling, grammar, punctuation.) 

You may retake a course as many times as necessary if you do not pass on the first attempt.  When you have satisfactorily completed all of the required courses, you will be awarded our Interfaith Minister Certification.  This certification, along with an ordination from United Interfaith Ministries, or a recognized church such as the Universal Life Church (ULC), Universal Ministries, or the Church of Seven Planes, will allow you to better serve those in need of spiritual help and guidance as well as provide the various rituals and ceremonies performed by Interfaith ministers.

• How does the distance learning aspect work?

Once you have started the program, we will email you the first three courses in the curriculum.  The course packets you receive will inform you of which textbooks (or websites) are required for that particular course, which pages to focus on in your textbooks (or which websites you need to study), and will include a series of tests designed to go along with that particular course.  When you are done with all of the tests in a course, simply email or mail them back to us for grading.  The volunteer assignment is unique in that you must send us a one page essay each week (for a month) on the progress you are making in your work. 

• Are student records kept and are transcripts available?

Records related to student achievement will be kept by the United Interfaith Institute.  All records are confidential and will only be accessible to faculty and staff of the United Interfaith Institute.  Transcripts are available upon written request by students and will be provided free of charge.

• May I see a sample of the Interfaith Minister Certification certificate?

You most certainly may!  Please keep in mind that the sample certificate is a mockup of the actual certificate, and that the actual certificate is on high quality parchment paper with a gold seal on the right, lower corner.

Click To

View

• Do you have any student testimonials about the program?

"I have been a minister and studied belief systems for many years.  The United Interfaith Institute program is exceptional.  It is an adventure ...  with a learning process that is informative, enjoyable and rewarding. The twelve courses are extremely well designed and employ a methodology for distance learning that offers a wealth of information.  The graduate  will not only  have learned the material but will develop many new insights, helpful in a Ministry and in one's personal  life!  The Institute Staff is professional and responsive." -- Dr. Stuart J. Malkin, D.D., Ph.D.

"I just wanted to let you know that this course has changed me so much and I have grown so much that I can't put it into words. It is speaking to my soul." -- Rev. K. Bruton

• Do you have more questions?

If you have any questions for us, please feel free to email us at contact@unitedinterfaith.com.  We will respond as soon as humanly possible, and we will work with you every step of the way to make your dream of becoming an Interfaith minister a reality!

•   Are you ready to enroll?

If you are ready to enroll in the United Interfaith Institute's Interfaith minister training program, simply email us for an application.  For details about enrolling in our World Religions Diploma Course, please click here.

CURRENT NEWS