The Celebrant School

Certificate in Celebrant Studies

Introduction

The Certificate in Celebrant Studies is a part time training certificate. It was launched 15 years ago, and at that time was the first course for training civil celebrants in the world. It was pioneered, designed, developed and taught by Mary Hancock at AUT University.

Since 2009, this same Certificate in Celebrant Studies is taught by the Celebrant School, as AUT University focuses on degree programmes.

The Celebrant School is under the direction of Mary Hancock.

The Certificate is offered in Auckland and Christchurch.

Programme Summary

The Certificate in Celebrant Studies is a part time training programme for civil celebrants.

The demand for civil celebrants is steadily rising in New Zealand / Aotearoa, with over 60% of marriages and funerals now being officiated by civil celebrants. This training programme is especially suitable for those wanting to become a celebrant, as well as for those who are already working as a celebrant.

The programme has a total commitment to professional excellence, and supports the code of ethics and code of practice of the Celebrants Association of New Zealand (CANZ).

Career Opportunities

The training programme is for those who wish to undertake training as civil celebrants in contemporary New Zealand society.

Some may wish to train as civil celebrants for the major rites of passage: baby welcome and name giving, weddings and civil unions, and funerals.

Others may wish to be involved with their family, friends or community for life transitions and celebrations. These may include birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, coming of age, graduations, career changes, new directions, house blessings, etc.

This training programme also provides continuing education for experienced celebrants to explore new dimensions and challenges in their work.

Professionals (including social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists, teachers, nurses etc) may combine and integrate this training into their current work by utilising ceremony and ritual to assist and support life transitions.


Who is it for?

This training programme is for three main groups of people.

The first group are those who wish to enter this area, either on a professional or a voluntary basis, but have so far not had any experience as a celebrant.

The second group are those who are already practicing celebrants, but who have either not had any formal training, or who wish to explore new dimensions and challenges in their work.

The third group are professionals (including social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists, teachers, nurses, etc) who may wish to combine and integrate their celebrancy training into their current work, for example by utilising ceremony and ritual to assist and support life transitions.

The Certificate in Celebrant Studies is a practical training programme in all areas of work in civil celebrancy.

Only those who wish to work as a marriage or civil union celebrant are required to be registered. The registration process is entirely separate to training and is undertaken by Birth, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) in the Department of Internal Affairs. Details are available from www.bdm.govt.nz.

Areas of Study

In most years, there are five papers available for the Certificate in Celebrant Studies. These are:

• Ceremony and Celebration (Compulsory and prerequisite).
• Marriage and Civil Unions
• Funeral Celebrant Training
• Transition Through Crisis
• Professional Development (Compulsory)


To be awarded the Certificate in Celebrant Studies, a minimum of three papers are required. Of these, two must be the compulsory ones shown. Note that while only three are required to get the qualification, most people do all five out of interest, and to extend their own knowledge and skills.

The content of these papers is as follows:

Ceremony and Celebration (Compulsory and prerequisite)
This paper is compulsory and is done first. It provides an in-depth introduction to the nature of contemporary ceremonies and rituals, the role of the celebrant and ritual maker, and the practical process of the design and development of these ceremonies.

Marriage and Civil Union Celebrant Training
This paper is designed for those who wish to be fully trained as professional marriage and/or civil union celebrants.
It explores the full range of contemporary marriage and civil union ceremonies. It includes ceremonies for reaffirmation of vows, anniversaries, acknowledging blended families etc.
It also provides continuing education for practicing civil celebrants to explore new dimensions and challenges in their ongoing work.

Funeral Celebrant Training
This paper is designed for those who wish to be fully trained as professional civil funeral celebrants.
It includes ceremonies for funerals, burials, committal for cremation, scattering of ashes, memorials, unveiling of headstones and home funerals.
It also provides continuing education for practicing funeral celebrants to explore new dimensions in their work.

Transition through Crisis
This paper provides training in the design and implementation of ceremonies for the transition through crisis (e.g. illness, bereavement, abuse, infertility, separation and divorce, natural disasters etc).
This paper includes the nature of contemporary life crises, loss and grief, and the design and creation of ceremony for the transition through crisis. This training enables celebrants to work both in one-to-one situations, and with small or large groups.

Professional Development (Compulsory)
This paper provides professional development related to the practice of being a contemporary celebrant.
The training includes communication skills, cultural identity, small business skills, spirituality, biculturalism, code of ethics, code of practice, etc.

Method of Study

Part time.
Papers are available in two ways:

Students can choose a combination of block and week-end intensives if they wish.
Assessment is by successful completion of two practical assignments.

Locations
Auckland
Christchurch

Fees:
See below.

Full payment of each paper is required before each paper commences.

As mentioned, a minimum of three papers are required for the Certificate.

(Note that the Transition through Crisis paper is not available in either location in 2011. However, it is envisaged that it will be offered in 2012).

COURSE DATES 2010

Programme Director and Lecturer

Mary Hancock
Mary has been a Celebrant in Auckland for the past 25 years. During this time, she has focused on developing unique and personalised contemporary ceremonies.
Mary Hancock is a registered Marriage and Civil Union Celebrant. She is a foundation member of the Celebrants Association of New Zealand (Inc). Mary has a background in education, research and teaching which she brings to this programme. Her qualifications include Master of Education, Bachelor of Education Honours(First Class), Diploma of Education, Diploma of Teaching, and Graduate Diploma in Celebrancy (Melbourne).

Lecturer:

Barbara James-Bartle

Administrator:

Jean Green

Contact Celebrant School:

CELEBRANT SCHOOL
PO Box 60079 Titirangi
Auckland 0642
New Zealand

Email: celebrantschool@gmail.com
Ph: 64+9 817 7514
Mob: 027 4444 604