Career Assessment Programs

A career assessment program is required for all persons who wish to be Candidates for the Unitarian Universalist ministry.  The approved programs are offered by counseling centers accredited by the Ministry Development Council (MDC).  An Aspirant should complete this program as early in the process as possible, preferably before commencing a theological education but certainly no later than the first year of study. A career assessment report is required before meeting with the RSCC.

Participants in career assessment programs will be asked to provide relevant personal, medical and biographical information and take a series of standardized tests.  Individual programs take approximately two days; group programs are held over the course of three days.  Not all centers offer group programs, however.  In either an individual or group program, you can expect a minimum of four hours of career counseling plus a one hour consultation with a psychologist.

Most centers also offer a couples option; that is, the participation of a spouse or partner may be arranged.  While not required, this option offers an elegant opportunity for a spousal pair to examine together what one partner's pursuit of a ministry career portends for both partners.

Whether through a group program, individual program, or couples program, we hope you will benefit from the opportunity for extensive evaluation of personal strengths, motivation, areas of needed growth, and potential for success in the ministry by staff members who are experienced in working with Aspirants, Candidates and the clergy.  The career assessment program is more than evaluative -- it is educative and developmental.

Some people feel caught off-guard by the amount of preparation required, (typically a day's work) and the degree of self-disclosure expected in these programs.  Others feel caught off-guard by the lead time required.  For example, the counseling center may need several months' lead time, plus an additional month to produce its written summary report.  Meanwhile the RSCC needs the career assessment report in its hands two months in advance of your interview.  We encourage you to talk with the personnel at the career center, your RSCC contact person, or the Ministerial Credentialing Director to gain a thorough understanding of what is involved.  In a word, plan ahead.

The results of the assessment will be confidential.  A written report will be released to the Ministerial Credentialing Office and the Ministerial Fellowship Committee and mailed to the RSCC office only upon your written release.  If you have questions about your unreleased report, you may request a confidential consultation with the Ministerial Credentialing Director. If you think the report is inaccurate in any respect, we urge you to follow up with the counselor who led your program and wrote your report.  If you have released the report, the psychologist on the MFC or the Ministerial Credentialing Director may call the counselors  for clarification or additional consultation.  It is important to note that the MDC centers adhere to the highest standards of professional practice when dealing with issues of confidentiality.

We recommend you make use of the career center reports by sharing the results with advisors, mentors, friends, supervisors, and anyone else who is in a position to give you additional feedback about the suitability of your vocational goals.  It is in your best interest to check out possible areas of concern or "growing edges" by engaging in honest conversation with people who know you in a variety of ways.

Most centers offer both a three-day group format or a two-day program in which the individual meets one-on-one with the counselor.  Both cover the same basic materials though in a slightly different format.  Students are free to choose whichever format they think will be most appropriate to their needs. Fees are likely to vary from center to center.  It is your responsibility to make appointments and pay all fees.

Please be very careful that you thoroughly understand the center's cancellation policy.  In most cases, if you cancel after the deadline, you will be responsible for paying for the program anyway.  The UUA has agreed to serve as the collection agent in the event of last-minute cancellations.  We are not anxious to perform this task!  Except in cases of emergency, we expect you to keep your appointment or cancel it by the deadline.

We realize the fees for career assessment programs are high but feel the value of the experience outweighs the expense.  They are an opportunity for self-examination which will help you recognize your potential for ministry and the unique gifts you have to share.  It will also help you make decisions involved in your preparation for, and fulfillment of, the responsibilities of ministry.  It is not inappropriate for you to approach your church and/or your minister for financial assistance in meeting career center fees.  Remember, also, that you may be eligible for a $900.00 program assistance grant from the UUA to help offset the costs of the career assessment.

See the list of approved Ministry Development Council career centers.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100