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 individuals 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)
| Theological Core Courses: 18 credit hours View course descriptions » | ||
|---|---|---|
| LIM G703 | Introduction to Practical Theology | 3 crs. |
| LIM G711 | Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament | 3 crs. |
| LIM G712 | Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament | 3 crs. |
| LIM G714 | Grace, Christ, and Spirit | 3 crs. |
| LIM G722 | Church, Sacraments, and Ministry | 3 crs. |
| LIM G704 | Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics | 3 crs. |
| Focus Area Courses: 12 credit hours View focus area descriptions » | ||
|---|---|---|
| Christian Spirituality for Ministry | ||
| LIM G827 | Spirituality for Ministers | 3 crs. |
| LIM G828 | History of Christian Spirituality | 3 crs. |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Hispanic Ministry | ||
| LIM G833 | Hispanic Experience of Religion and Culture | 3 crs. |
| LIM G834 | Pastoral Ministry in Hispanic Communities | 3 crs. |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Marketplace Ministry | ||
| LIM G819 | Spirituality and the Theology of Work | 3 crs. |
| LIM G820 | Ministry in the Marketplace | 3 crs. |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Pastoral Life and Administration | ||
| LIM G844 | Parish Life and Ministry | 3 crs. |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G845 | Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Religion and Ecology | ||
| LIM G813 | The Universe as Divine Manifestation 3 cr. hrs. | 3 crs. |
| LIM G814 | The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story 3 cr. hrs. | 3 crs. |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Small Christian Community Formation | ||
| LIM G809 | Inner Life of Small Christian Communities | 3 crs. |
| LIM G810 | Public Life of Small Christian Communities | 3 crs. |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Youth Ministry | ||
| LIM G870 | Foundations of Youth Ministry | 3 crs. |
| LIM G876 | Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development | 3 crs. |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Individualized Program | ||
| Two Focus Area Courses (in consultation with advisor) | 6 crs. | |
| LIM G861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 crs. |
| LIM G886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 crs. |
| Elective Courses: 6 credit hours View course descriptions » |
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