About
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) is a 36-hour professional degree program designed to prepare an individual for pastoral ministry in the Church. The degree program provides a solid theological foundation as well as the basic pastoral skills necessary for ministry in a variety of settings within a faith community. The program is oriented toward persons who are or who desire to be involved in full-time professional pastoral ministry.
All Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies courses are conveniently offered in the evenings, Friday mornings, and on weekends during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. It is possible to fulfill all course requirements entirely with summer study.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants to the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies program should hold a BA or BS degree from an accredited college/university or an equivalent degree.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.3 (on a 4.0 scale).
- The equivalent of a TOEFL score of 550, if applicable.
Degree Requirements
Completion of 36 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3. These 36 hours are divided between 24 credit hours of required core courses and 12 hours in the student's area of concentration.
Core Curriculum
The 24 credit hours of required core courses are as follows:
- Introduction to Pastoral Studies (3 hours)
- Theology and Themes in the Old Testament (3 hours)
- Theology and Themes in the New Testament (3 hours)
- Foundations of the Catholic Faith: The Mystery of Salvation (3 hours)
- Catholic Morality: Living Free and Faithful in Christ (3 hours)
- Historical Perspectives: Church and Ministry (3 hours)
- Sacraments in Parish Life (3 hours)
- Faith and the Dominant American Culture (3 hours)
Areas of Concentration
In addition to the core curriculum, each student must complete one required course in his/her area of specialization and 9 elective hours chosen in consultation with his/her advisor. A maximum of three one-hour workshops may be taken as part of the elective requirements. The available areas of concentration and the required course for each are as follows:
- Christian Formation
- Dynamics of Human and Religious Development
- Pastoral Care and Ministry
- Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Christian Spirituality
- Classics in Christian Spirituality
- Christian Liturgy
- The Liturgical Life of the Parish
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 9 hours can be accepted as transfer credit provided there is genuine equivalency with School of Theology course offerings.
Exit Procedures
Exit procedures include a 10-minute Peer Group Presentation of a case study and extended theological reflection. The student must have 30 credit hours completed in order to register for the presentation, which is scheduled annually in February and October only. The Dean, or his/her designate, will chair the Peer Group Presentation and one additional faculty member must be present. Attendance will be open to all students and faculty, with questions limited to those specified by the Dean.
Time Limit
Program requirements must be completed within ten years of initial registration. |
