Religious leaders, including ministers, rabbis, imam, priests, pastors, chaplains, bishops, curates and leaders in other religious communities, conduct religious services and provide inspirational, philosophical and religious education and guidance to members of their communities.

According to the tenets of their faith, religious leaders may:

• conduct worship services and preside at ceremonies marking rites of passage (e.g. birth, marriage, death)
• organize religious education for their communities
• conduct group meetings
• counsel individuals and couples concerning spiritual, emotional and personal needs
• visit people in prisons, hospitals and homes.

Depending on the religious community, religious leaders may also administer and manage, in conjunction with a board of representatives, the finances of their religious community.

Institutional chaplains serve populations in institutions such as hospitals, post-secondary institutions, prisons and long term care facilities. Since they work with people from many faiths, chaplains may facilitate worship and study in traditions significantly different from their own.

Religious leaders may serve religious communities of any size in urban or rural areas, in large well-equipped buildings or limited spaces. Their hours of work vary tremendously; they may be on call virtually every day for long periods of time. The work can be both emotionally demanding and rewarding.

Most religious communities expect prospective religious leaders to first become active volunteers in houses of worship or the religious community, and seek guidance from religious leaders in their faith. Formal training requirements are specific to the particular faith. Knowledge of more than one language is a definite asset.

In many faiths, ordination requires a bachelor's degree plus several years of post-graduate study in a seminary or theological college. In Alberta, suitable bachelor's degree programs are offered by public and private universities and colleges located throughout the province. To identify post-secondary programs associated with their particular faith, interested individuals should consult the appropriate religious leaders in their communities.

The required theological training may be offered by private colleges or seminaries located nearby, or may require study in another province or country. There may be language requirements (e.g. Greek, Hebrew) and students may be expected to do related field work (e.g. chaplaincy or missionary work) during the summer months.

Ordination as a rabbi usually requires five years of prescribed study in a seminary. Seminary entrance requirements include a university degree, a strong background in Jewish Studies and the ability to read Hebrew (and, sometimes, Yiddish). Many seminaries require one year of study in Israel as part of the five year program.

Imam must be graduates of a recognized seminary/institution or have equivalent knowledge and experience endorsed the the Islamic Council of Imams - Canada.

In Alberta, the following public institutions offer non-sectarian bachelor's degree programs in religious studies. These programs do not lead directly to employment as a religious leader, but may provide an acceptable background for theological training.

• Alliance University College in Calgary offers a four year B.Min. degree program in Theology, a four year B.Min. degree program with specializations in youth and intercultural studies and a three and four year BA in Christian Studies.
• Canadian Nazarene University College in Calgary offers a three year BA in Christian Studies. The entrance requirement is an average of at least 60 per cent in five approved Grade 12 subjects including English and a math or second language
• Canadian University College in College Heights offers three year and four year BA degree programs in Religious Studies. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with English 30 and at least three other 30-level courses.
• Concordia University College of Alberta in Edmonton offers a three year and a four year BA degree programs in Religious Studies. The admission requirement is an average of at least 60 per cent in English 30 and four other appropriate 30-level subjects.
• Gardner College - A Centre for Christian Studies in Camrose offers a three year Bachelor of Religious Education program and a four year Bachelor of Theology program. The entrance requirement for both programs is a high school diploma (or equivalent).
• The King's University College in Edmonton offers a three year Pre-Seminary BA program and a three year BA program in Theology. The entrance requirement for both programs is a high school diploma with an average of at least 60 per cent in five Grade 12 subjects including English 30. 
• Newman Theological College in Edmonton offers master degree programs and a graduate diploma.
• Rocky Mountain College in Calgary offers a four year BA in Theology, a four year BA in Leadership Development and a three year BRS in Relgious Studies. The entrance requirement is four matriculation level courses including English with a minimum average of  65 per cent in the four courses.
• Taylor University College and Seminary in Edmonton offers a four year Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Theology degree program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with an average of at least 60 per cent in English 30 and four approved Grade 12 subjects.
• The University of Alberta in Edmonton offers four year BA general and honours degree programs in Religious Studies with specializations in Eastern and Native American religious traditions, thematic studies, and Western religious traditions. The entrance requirement is an overall average of at least 65 per cent in English 30, a 30-level language other than English or Pure Math 30 (or Math 30), and three other approved Grade 12 subjects (Social Studies 30 recommended). The University of Alberta in Camrose also offers degree programs in religious studies.
• The University of Calgary offers four year and five year (co-op) BA degree programs in Religious Studies and in Religious Studies and Applied Ethics. The entrance requirement for both programs is a high school diploma with an average of at least 70 per cent in English 30 and four other appropriate Grade 12 subjects.
• The University of Lethbridge offers four year Bachelor of Arts and five year combined degree programs in Religious Studies. The entrance requirement is an average of at least 65 per cent in English 30 and three other approved 30-level subjects plus a fifth Grade 12 subject.

Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis.

For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Religious leaders may work in:

• urban or rural communities in Canada
• overseas missions in developing countries
• inner city missions
• chaplaincies in prisons, hospitals, the Canadian Forces or post-secondary institutions.

Experienced religious leaders may advance to administrative roles in larger religious community units or religious institutions. With additional education, they may also move into social work, counselling, nursing, journalism or teaching (in schools or post-secondary institutions).

Religous leaders are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 4154: Ministers of Religion. In Alberta, most people employed in this classification work in the Repair, Maintenance, Personal and Other Services industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Repair, Maintenance, Personal and Other Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 3,300 Albertans are employed in the Ministers of Religion occupational group which is expected to grow 0.5 to 1.5 per cent each year from 2005 to 2010 in Alberta. It is forecasted that 10 to 50 new positions will be created each year in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. (Note: Since religious leaders form only a part of the larger occupational group on which this forecast is based, only a portion of the new positions created will be for religious leaders.)

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next five to ten years.

Employment demand varies among different religious communities.

Salaries for religious leaders may vary considerably between faiths and within some faiths. A house or housing allowance may be provided.

Depending on the religious community, religious leaders may be paid significantly less than people in other occupations that require comparable levels of education. Some leaders enhance their incomes through additional fees charged for officiating ceremonies.

According to the 2005 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, part-time or full-time starting salaries for Albertans working in the Ministers of Religion occupational group ranged from $13,900 to $117,800 a year. The average salary was $42,100 a year.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo