The Diocesan Certificates in Youth Ministry and the Online Learning Experiences offered by the Diocese are based on the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers serving as Youth Ministry Leaders, incl. Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, created by the Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers and approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation. By completing the requirements for the Diocesan Advanced Certificate in Youth Ministry through the courses offered by the Diocese, or other approved courses, one will have all the core and specialized competencies required to apply for National Certification. The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry would be happy to assist anyone working toward National Certification, and has laid out a Diocesan Certification Process to help people in these efforts.