Purpose
Aspirants for the permanent diaconate who wish to study at the graduate level complete their intellectual formation by earning the Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology (MAPS) degree.
Goals
For the goals of the MAPS, please refer to the MAPS section of our website. (https://www.shms.edu/content/master-arts-pastoral-studies-maps)
Undergraduate Prerequisites (required for students with no previous academic work in philosophy or theology)
THE 123 | Introduction to the Catholic Faith | 2 cr |
THE 249 | Introduction to Sacred Scripture | 3 cr |
PHL 415 | Philosophy for Theology | 3 cr |
Course of Study (49 credits)
Courses Taken During the Period of Aspirancy
ST 500 | Theological Methodology | 2 cr |
IS 505 | Theological Research and Writing | 1 cr |
ST 501 | Theology of Mission and Ministry | 2 cr |
SP 690 | Human and Spiritual Adult Development | 2 cr |
SS 521 | Method and Pentateuch | 3 cr |
ST 5351 | Human Person and Grace | 2 cr |
Courses Taken During the Three Years of Diaconate Formation
SS 525 | Synoptics | 3 cr |
ST 650 | Trinitarian and Christological Foundations of the Christian Faith | 3 cr |
ST 6351 | Nature and Mission of the Church | 2 cr |
LS 575 | The Sacramental Life of the Church | 2 cr |
MT 675 | Foundations of Christian Moral Life | 3 cr |
SS 625 | Pauline Literature | 3 cr |
EV 680 | Pastoral Care Across Cultures | 2 cr |
AT 550 | Church Law for Parish Ministers | 2 cr |
PM 625 | Diaconal Homiletics Practicum | 3 cr |
PM 612 | Liturgical Practicum | 3 cr |
IS 891 | M.A.P.S. Supervised Ministry | 2 cr‡ |
IS 885-888 | M.A.P.S. Formation Seminar I-IV (taken in first two years of study) | 2 cr |
THE 340 | Church History | 3 cr* |
MNS 271 | Pastoral Catechetics | 2 cr* |
MNS 228 | Introduction to Pastoral Counseling | 2 cr* |
Courses usually taken after Ordination
SP 735 | History of Spirituality | 3 cr |
LS 645 | Sacraments of Initiation | 2 cr |
PM 520 | Dynamics of Parish Leadership | 2 cr |
*Undergraduate coursework is required for formation, but does not count toward the M.A.P.S. degree.
‡IS 891 is intended to be taken in the student’s fourth year of the degree 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.
Graduate course descriptions can be found here.
Our Academic Catalogs for this and past academic years can be found here.
ADMISSIONS
Admissions information for the M.A.P.S can be found here.
