Iona School FAQ

updated: June 29, 2026

Do I need to know whether I’m called to lay or ordained ministry before I apply?

No. Many people come to Iona to explore God’s call while deepening their faith and ministry. The application process help us recommend the pathway that best fits your current sense of vocation. Students are welcome to continue discerning while they study.

How much time should I expect to spend each month?

• Students in the Lay Leadership Track should expect to spend approximately 10-15 hours per month, including class sessions and assignments.
• Students in the Lay Track with Discernment Support should expect a more substantial commitment because the program includes additional coursework, field education, and clinical pastoral practice.

How do I know which track is right for me?

Don’t worry about making the “right” choice before you apply. Your application helps us understand your ministry experience, learning goals, and sense of call. We’ll review it with you and, if appropriate, your clergy leader to recommend the pathway that best fits your goals. Check out the handbook for more info.

What will I study?

• For this year, students in the Lay Track will study Foundations in Ministry and then either Worship Leadership or Pastoral Care. 
• Alternatively, students in the lay track are welcome, with the dean’s permission, take many of the same academic courses as the clergy formation curriculum (for this year: Hebrew Scriptures, Prophetic Preaching, Liturgical Theology and Leadership, and Theological Ethics).
• Students in the Lay Track + Discernment Support will also have Field Education (TFE) and Clinical Pastoral Practice (CPP) requirements. 

Where can I find more information online? 

• Info: Iona School (an UNofficial page of the ECWW)

I was hoping to apply to the Clergy Track, but I’ve learned that that track is now only available for postulants, and I’m not quite there yet in my discernment process. What should I do?

• Apply anyway, but let the Dean know about your status as a discerner. She can suggest a lay leadership certificate pathway and some extras that will help you in your discernment process, as well as classes that will fulfill clergy track requirements later. 
• If need be, ask the Dean to schedule a meeting with your rector/vicar/priest-in-charge/supervisor.

What is the cost of the program? Are scholarships available?

• Tuition is assessed by semester and is payable in two installments.
• The Lay Leadership Certificate with Discernment Support is intended for students who are currently participating in Exploring Vocations or Diocesan Discernment and who desire additional theological and ministerial formation while discerning a call to ordained ministry. It is not intended as a lower-cost substitute for the Clergy Formation Track. Rather, it allows students to participate in selected clergy-track formation opportunities while continuing the discernment process prior to postulancy.
• Thanks to generous support from the Diocese of Olympia, tuition for all three pathways is substantially subsidized. Additional scholarship assistance is available. If cost would be a barrier, please let us know on your application.
• Congregations are encouraged to support the formation of their leaders by contributing toward tuition whenever possible. Total Common Ministry congregations should ordinarily provide financial support for those they send to Iona.

What is the schedule for the 2026-2027 Academic year?

The schedule for 2026-2027 can be found at this link. 

• Note that if a student is interested in a class being taught for the OTHER track, they may petition the dean to take it in addition to (or in some cases, instead of)  the class for their track. 

When are applications due? 

For the 2026-2027 academic year, applications went live on Ascension Day (May 14th) and have a deadline of July 1st. Some applications will be accepted after this time, but earlier applications will be given preference for scholarships, and will also determine which cohort coursework is offered for the coming academic year. 

Can I apply to the Iona School before I’ve been made a postulant?

Yes. You can apply to participate in one of the lay certificate tracks. In the event that you are later made a postulant, you can apply any completed coursework toward completion of clergy track requirements.