Advanced Ministry Studies
The Advanced Ministry Studies is a certification offered by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education. It is offered to Parish Catechetical Leaders: religious education coordinators, youth ministers, catechists, OCIA teams, baptismal formation teams, etc., Catholic School religion teachers/campus ministers, lay or religious ministers and to anyone working in any ministry or apostolate in the Church. This program will help participants to advance in their understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church and be prepared for roles in different areas of church ministry.
Formation Components:
- Catholic Spirituality
- Catholic Theology
- Evangelizing Catechesis
- Pastoral Ministry
- Pedagogy and Methodology
- The Art of Accompaniment
- Technology
For complete overview of the program please CLICK HERE.
FEES
The Advanced Ministry Studies registration fee is $20.00 and $50.00 tuition fee per class.
CATECHETICAL MINISTRY YEAR 2026-2027 CALENDAR
2026: August 22, September 26, October 17, November 21, December 19.
2027: January 23, February 20, March 13, April 17, May 22, June 5 – Retreat, June 19 – last class
This course is offered to accepted students in the Advanced Ministry Studies program. And serves as formal ongoing formation to any person serving in any ministry in the Church. E.g.: Pastors, Deacons, Master Catechists, Parish Catechetical Leaders, any person that wants to grow in faith, etc. Ongoing Formation fee $25.00
2026-2027 detailed calendar will be posted soon (for dates refer above)
The AMS Application process is hosted in the LEAD learning management system which is part of the ADLA C3 (Catholic Communication Collaboration) platform. If you do not have a C3lead account please create one here: c3.leadlms.com Once you have created an account or if you already have an account please start the process in the following link: Advanced Ministry Studies (AMS) Application.
After applying you will be contacted to schedule an interview with our admitting team. Our goal is to guide and help you understand the AMS program and commitment.
If you have questions or need assistance please contact:
Flor de Maria Luna Fluna@la-archdiocese.org or by phone to: 213- 637-7654
Elizabeth Argueta EArgueta@la-archdiocese.org or by phone 213-637-7358
Upcoming Events
Apr 18
Catechesis in the Lives of Persons Part I
This course offers reasonable pathways of catechesis that vary based on the participants' different needs, ages, and states of life as directed in the Directory for Catechesis (2020) and all General and National Documents for catechesis. Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 || Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Breaks and Lunch time included) || Format: Zoom Live Class || Cost: $50 REGISTER HERE! Profess... READ MORE »
May 16
Methodology: Adult Learning – Multiple Intelligences – Learning Styles
This course will help participants become familiar with the principles of adult faith formation as highlighted in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. The course will cover the various styles of learning and how to incorporate various teaching styles to meet the diversity of needs among a group of learners in a faith formation setting. Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 || Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Break... READ MORE »
May 25
Cultural Diversity in the Church – Intercultural Competencies Online – Asynchronous
Due dates for the weeks of May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 2026 In this course, participants will be exposed to one of the priorities of the New Evangelization that the USCCB developed in the Cultural Diversity resource, which is the "recognition of cultural diversity" that points to the profound demographic transformation that has been taking place in the United States and in the Church over several... READ MORE »
Catechist Formation
Return to the main page and learn more about the California Catechist Certification process.