Purpose

This program leads to a professional degree that provides the theological understanding and practical skills necessary for effective service in a focused ministry in the church. It is designed for people of all ages and careers who desire to work professionally as lay ecclesial ministers or who are already engaged in ministerial work and wish to improve their theological understanding and pastoral competency.

Curriculum Requirement (effective beginning Fall 2010)

The program consists of 47 credit hours of course work divided into two basic categories: foundation courses in the major theological disciplines and an area of ministerial focus.

Ecclesiastical History
EH531 or   EH532	Ancient and Medieval History (3) or   Reformation and Modern Church History (3)
Pastoral Studies
PS515	Pastoral Care and Identity (3)
PS601	Level I Supervised Ministry/Seminar (4)
PS602	Level II Supervised Ministry/Seminar (4)
Sacred Scripture
SS517	Pentateuch and Historical Books (3)
SS520	Critical Study of the New Testament (3)
Spirituality
SP705 or	Foundations of Spirituality (3) or
SP740	Christian Spirituality through the Ages (3)
Systematic Theology
SY512 or   SY511	Christian Anthropology (3) or   Foundations of Theology (3) (if approved)
SY611	Christology (3)
SY651	Theology of the Church (3)
Moral Theology
MO541	The Christian Moral Life (3)
MO645	Catholic Social Ethics (3)
Word and Worship
WW655	Eucharist (3)
Electives
	Two courses in ministerial focus (6)

Total : 47 Credits

Ministerial Focus Requirement

Students are encouraged to select a focus from one of the following suggested options: campus ministry, catechesis, youth ministry, marriage and family, liturgical ministry, pastoral care and counseling, pastoral leadership and social justice; however, students may design their own ministerial focus. Students should select their focus in consultation with their academic advisor as soon as possible.

Supervised Ministry/Seminar Requirement

Students must pass a Level I and a Level II supervised ministry experience as part of their program of studies. The Level I experience cultivates one-on-one skills, while Level II specializes in the student’s desired field. The selected supervised ministry is accompanied by a theological reflection seminar on campus that provides an opportunity for students to identify and correlate issues that arise in theological study and ministerial experience as well as to develop an understanding of ministerial identity.

Integrating Paper Requirement

Students must prepare a paper that integrates their theological studies and ministerial experience, with particular focus on their selected ministerial focus. The paper should be at least 50 pages and may take one of the following forms: a pastoral project, a case study in ministry or a research paper within the selected ministerial focus. Students must obtain proper approvals of the topic, the outline and the final version of the integrating paper.