The Royal Covenant University, California, encourages a student to serve upon ordination. We welcome applicants from all paths of Hebrew life. We expect that applicants will have visited and prayed with different communities and be informed about current issues in the Hebrew world. Our alumni serve in our community setting and will have a family from the full spectrum of Judaism. The ability to see each person as a unique soul will be very important for professional effectiveness.
The University believes that individuals with life experience or prior careers make uniquely capable rabbis, cantors, chaplains, and community leaders. We encourage most applicants to take time after undergraduate training for personal development. Those who are making mid-life career changes are welcome to our student body; many of our students have previously been teachers, professors, physicians, executives, attorneys, parents, therapists, and scientists, among other professions.
Occasionally, a person whose life history includes a variety of spiritual paths will consider the application. Such past experiences help deepen the work and will be respected. Others have spent substantial time in psychotherapy; this is also viewed positively as an advantage for a career where deep self-understanding is crucial. The University highly recommends, and frequently in individual cases may require, that students undergo psychotherapy during their enrollment.
