Master of Pastoral Studies

Why a Master of Pastoral Studies Degree?

Lay ministers working in variety of contexts including parishes and diocesan offices, secular professions including law, business, and criminal justice, or in the helping professions of medicine and social work can develop the theological and spiritual grounding necessary to become wiser and more effective ministers and leaders. Pursuing a Master of Pastoral Studies degree allows to gain specific competencies in the focus area of their choice while earning a master’s degree from an institution with a long-standing reputation for excellence in education and ministerial formation.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Pastoral Studies (M.P.S.) is a 36-credit hour degree program. All courses are taken for graduate credit hours (crs), at the current tuition rate at LIM. In pursuing the Master of Pastoral Studies, students select a focus area relevant to their ministry. Degree requirements consist of:

  • Theological core courses (18 credit hours)
  • Focus area courses and capstone course (12 credit hours)
  • Elective courses (6 credit hours) chosen by the student.
Theological Core Courses: 18 credit hours View course descriptions »
LIM C703 Introduction to Practical Theology 3 crs.
LIM C711 Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament 3 crs.
LIM C712 Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament 3 crs.
LIM C714 Grace, Christ, and Spirit 3 crs.
LIM C722 Church, Sacraments, and Ministry 3 crs.
LIM C704 Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics 3 crs.
Focus Area Courses: 12 credit hours View focus area descriptions »
Christian Spirituality for Ministry
LIM C827 Spirituality for Ministers 3 crs.
LIM C828 History of Christian Spirituality 3 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Hispanic Ministry
LIM C833 Hispanic Experience of Religion and Culture 3 crs.
LIM C834 Pastoral Ministry in Hispanic Communities 3 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Marketplace Ministry
LIM C819 Spirituality and the Theology of Work 3 crs.
LIM C820 Ministry in the Marketplace 3 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Pastoral Care
LIM C849 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling 3 crs.
CNSL A830 Counseling Theories 3 crs.
CNSL A835 Counseling Practice 3 crs.
CNSL A836 Individual Counseling Skills Lab 1 cr.
LIM C897 Practicum: Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) 2 crs.
Pastoral Life and Administration
LIM C844 Parish Life and Ministry 3 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Religion and Ecology
LIM C813 The Universe as Divine Manifestation 3 crs.
LIM C814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story 3 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Small Christian Community Formation
LIM C809 Inner Life of Small Christian Communities 3 crs.
LIM C810 Public Life of Small Christian Communities 3 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Youth Ministry
LIM C870 Foundations of Youth Ministry 3 crs.
LIM C876 Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development 3 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Individualized Program
Two Focus Area Courses (in consultation with advisor) 6 crs.
LIM C861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization 3 crs.
LIM C886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis 3 crs.
Elective Courses: 6 credit hours View course descriptions »