No. Courses are held on Zoom and online via our learning platform. Select Southeastern Synod Events, such as Revival Days and the Synod Assembly, will have short, in-person educational offerings. If you are unable to take part in courses due to technology requirements, please contact leadershipacademy@elca-ses.org to learn about alternative in-person learning options.

Class sessions are held over Zoom and require a strong enough internet connection to support video conferencing. During and outside of class sessions, learners will also connect to the course site to share and receive information/materials, and to submit assignments. To participate fully in courses, learners must also be comfortable using application software, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or mobile equivalents for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, as well as Adobe Acrobat Reader or a compatible PDF viewer. While it is usually easier to participate in class sessions using a laptop or desktop computer (PC or Mac), it is also possible to do so on a tablet or smartphone with a working camera, microphone/speakers.

No. Although all instructors are part of the ELCA or are partnering with another instructor who is to co-teach a course, you are not required to be. We welcome learners from all faith traditions or those who do not consider themselves part of one, provided they agree to abide by the Diversity and Justice Statement.

Yes. Learners from all ELCA Synods are welcome.

No. We encourage all adults 18 years of age or older who are comfortable with the technology requirements and feel prepared to engage in learning to enroll! Youth, ages 13-17, who desire to take courses should email leadershipacademy@elca-ses.org to discuss their interest. 

Each course costs $60.00 USD. The course costs help cover instructors' honoraria, as well as platform infrastructure and administration. Additional funds generated beyond these costs will support course registration for learners unable to pay the full registration cost, capstone course grants, and scholarships for aspiring rostered leaders to attend an ELCA seminary. If you need partial or full aid to enroll, please see the Financial Assistance / Scholarship page. 

After enrolling, you will have until the deadline shared on the Academic Calendar to withdraw from a course and request a refund. After this date, withdrawals or refunds will not be possible.

Each course meets for two hours weekly over six weeks and requires approximately one to two hours of outside work per week. During each term, there are also optional opportunities to participate in remote coffees and learning celebration, each of which is one hour long.

You're welcome to enroll in multiple courses. However, please consider your available time. We want you to have an enriching learning experience without feeling overwhelmed.

Yes. You will receive a certificate indicating the level of competency you achieved in each course and/or pathway. For more information on the evaluation process, please see our Assessment Policy.

Each pathway includes four courses and a capstone course. Typically, eight+ courses are offered per term, with one or more applicable to each pathway. The capstone course can only be taken after the successful completion of the four courses at the applying or extending levels (see our Assessment policy for more information on the evaluation process). How long it takes you to complete a pathway will depend on your individual pace and course availability. 

The capstone course is the final step in a pathway after the learner completes all required courses. During the capstone course, pathway candidates support one another in designing educational projects that extend course-related learning and result in SES congregational action aligned with one or more aims of the Synod’s 2028 Vision: “equipping leaders and congregations to thrive in a changing world.” In general, projects will result in actions aligned with one or more aims of the Synod’s 2028 Vision: “equipping leaders and congregations to thrive in a changing world.” 

Not at this time, however, in the coming years, we aim to develop relationships with other institutions (e.g., seminaries, universities, other synod academies) that could support this possibility. 

Absolutely! Any amount is appreciated, tax-deductible, and will help extend the Leadership Academy's offerings and events. To make a donation, please visit the Southeastern Synod's donations page and choose “Leadership Academy.”