Purpose
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies is a graduate degree preparing students for ministry and pastoral leadership.
Admissions
For admissions process and requirements, please refer to the admissions section of this page.
Goals
Intellectual Goal: To understand and communicate the Catholic faith grounded in Scripture and Tradition, in the context of the contemporary world.
• Learning Outcome: To demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Catholic theology grounded in Scripture and Tradition.
• Learning Outcome: To demonstrate an ability to communicate accurately and persuasively the Catholic faith, both orally and in writing, grounded in Scripture and Tradition.
Human Goal: To commit to life-long integration of the intellectual, spiritual and psychological dimensions of one’s ministerial identity.
• Student Learning Outcome: To demonstrate personal accountability and professional conduct as a lay ecclesial minister.
• Student Learning Outcome: To demonstrate a commitment to continue one’s theological and pastoral education.
Spiritual Goal: To discern, adopt and practice a Christian spirituality appropriate to lay ecclesial ministry.
• Learning Outcome: To demonstrate a commitment to personal prayer and the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church.
• Learning Outcome: To demonstrate an ability to reflect on human experience within the context of faith.
Pastoral Goal: To acquire the pastoral skills of leadership, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity.
• Learning Outcome: To demonstrate an ability to meet pastoral needs in various cultural contexts.
• Learning Outcome: To demonstrate an ability to collaborate with others and to call forth the gifts of others for the sake of the pastoral setting.
Course of Study (48 credit hours total)
Theological Core (26 credit hours)
| ST 500 | Theological Methodology* | 2 cr |
| SS 521 | Method and Penateuch | 3 cr |
| SS 525 | Synoptics | 3 cr |
| SS 625 | Pauline Literature | 3 cr |
| ST 5351 | Human Person and Grace | 2 cr |
| ST 6351 | Nature and Mission of the Church | 2 cr |
| ST 650 | Trinitarian and Christological Foundations of the Christian Faith | 3 cr |
| MT 675 | Foundations of the Christian Moral Life | 3 cr |
| LS 575 | The Sacramental Life of the Church | 2 cr |
| SP 735 | History of Christian Spirituality | 3 cr |
*ST 500 must be taken in conjunction with IS 505 Theological Research and Writing, 1 cr.
Pastoral Ministry Core: (9 credit hours)
| ST 501 | Theology of Mission and Ministry | 2 cr |
| SP 690 | Human and Spiritual Adult Development | 2 cr |
| EV 680 | Pastoral Care Across Cultures | 2 cr |
| NE 865 | Theology of the New Evangelization | 3 cr |
Electives (9 credit hours)
Chosen by the student in consultation with the student’s Academic advisor. Students may select any eligible elective course or may choose to concentrate electives in a particular pastoral area, such as spirituality or new evangelization. Students are strongly encouraged to select practice-oriented electives that cultivate pastoral ministry knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
Integrating Studies (4 credit hours):
| IS 884 | MAPS Formation I: Integrating Faith, Life, and Ministry | 1 cr |
| IS 889 | MAPS Formation II: Leadership and Collaboration in the Ministerial Workplace | 1 cr |
| IS 891 | MAPS Supervised Ministry** | 2 cr† |
| or | ||
| IS 8921 | MAPS Integrating Project: Research & Design** | 1 cr |
| IS 8922 | MAPS Integrating Project: Implementation, Assessment, Writing and Presentation** | 1 cr‡ |
Students in diaconal formation should refer to the “Permanent Diaconate Academic Programs” section of the Academic Catalog.
*All formation courses are to be taken in the student’s first two years of the MAPS program,beginning in the first fall term of the student’s studies and for four consecutive fall and winter terms.
**To be taken in the student’s final year of the MAPS program
†IS 8911 Continuing MAPS Supervised Ministry (1 credit) is provided for the student who does not complete his/her supervised ministry during the semester for which he/she registered for IS 891. The student must register for IS 8911 each semester beyond the initial semester that is necessary for the student to com- plete the supervised ministry. These accumulated credits do not count toward a degree nor are they figured into the student’s GPA. Students are encouraged to maintain frequent contact with the dean of the Institute for Ministry throughout their supervised ministry experience.
‡IS 8923 Continuing MAPS Integrating Project (1 credit) is provided for the student who does not com- plete his/her integrating project during the semester for which he/she registered for IS 8922. The student must register for IS 8923 each semester beyond the initial semester that is necessary for the student to com- plete the integrating project. These accumulated credits do not count toward a degree nor are they figured into the student’s GPA. Students are encouraged to maintain frequent contact with their Integrating Project supervisor until they complete their integrating project.
Spiritual Direction
All MAPS students are required to be in spiritual direction with an approved director.
Annual Interview with the Dean of the Institute for Ministry
Each academic year MAPS students are required to meet individually with the dean of the Institute for Lay Ministry (ILM) to discuss the student's progress in human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral formation and to set ongoing formation goals.
Day of Reflection
MAPS students are required to attend at least one MAPS Day of Reflection sponsored by the ILM during their matriculation in the MAPS program.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 48 credit hours must be earned through completion of the course of study.
A maximum of 16 hours may be applied to the degree from other institutions or from other credit earning options.
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 is required.
This program must be completed in six years after matriculation. Under extenuating circumstances, a student may request an extension in writing to the dean of studies.
Students must complete a one credit course in graduate theological research, IS 505 Theological Research and Writing. This course must be done in conjunction with ST 500 Theological Methodology, and should be done within the student’s first year of study. The course is graded pass/fail; credits earned do not count toward the 48 credits required in total for the degree.
Students must participate in an assessment of the academic program, including completion of a Graduating Student Questionnaire during their final year of study.
See a complete list of our Graduate Course Descriptions.
See our Academic Catalogs for this and past academic years.
See the MAPS Supervised Ministry packet and Student Timeline.
See the MAPS Integrating Project packet and Student Timeline.
Admissions
Admissions information for this program can be found on the Graduate Admissions page.
