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Master of Pastoral Studies (Online)
This pastoral studies online degree program is practical, transformative, international in scope, and open to students of all faiths. It prepares students to work in a variety of contexts, including parishes, schools, diocesan offices, secular workplaces, non-profits, or public sector work and the helping professions, such as healthcare and social work. If you are interested in chaplaincy, read this»
Dual Degree Options
Master of Pastoral Studies Curriculum
The master of pastoral studies program at Loyola University New Orleans provides the biblical, theological, and spiritual grounding on which to build specializations in youth ministry, spirituality, and pastoral care. It also enables people of faith to connect ministry to leadership, the environment, digital culture, and the working world.
Degree Overview
36 Credits
master of pastoral studies
Loyola’s master of pastoral studies degree online consists of 36 credit hours, which include:
- Core courses (18 credit hours)
- Focus area courses (9 credit hours)
- Elective courses (6 credit hours)
- Capstone course (3 credit hours)
Check out the University Bulletin to view further curriculum information about Loyola's online pastoral studies program. Click here to download a degree worksheet.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Core Courses
18 Credits
master of pastoral studies
Core Courses (18 credits):
- LIM 703: Introduction to Practical Theology (3 credits)
- LIM 704: Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics (3 credits)
- LIM 711: Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament (3 credits)
- LIM 712: Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament (3 credits)
- LIM 714: Grace, Christ, and Spirit (3 credits)
- LIM 722: Church, Sacraments, and Liturgy (3 credits)
Focus Areas (9 credits)
攻读牧灵学硕士学位可以让学生在他们选择的重点领域获得特定的能力,同时从一个在教育和部长组建方面长期享有卓越声誉的机构获得硕士学位. Students in the Master of Pastoral Studies online program choose from the following focus areas.
基督教灵性的这个重点领域承认神学反思和事工植根于并促进牧师与上帝的生活关系. 这个重点领域的目标是使学生熟悉灵性的基督教传统,从而丰富他们的个人和公共生活作为部长. Courses include:
- LIM 827: Spirituality for Ministers (3 credits)
- LIM 828: History of Christian Spirituality (3 credits)
- LIM 861: Pastoral Leadership and Organization (3 credits)
This focus area invites students into the communicative aspects of theology and ministry. Communication is especially relevant in our digital age, 因为社交媒体和数字媒体扩大我们各部工作范围的潜力要求我们所有人在我们的工作背景下成为专业的传播者. Courses include:
- LIM 826: Digital Media and Ministry (3 credits)
- LIM 885: Religious Communication (3 credits)
- LIM 861: Pastoral Leadership and Organization (3 credits)
The focus area of Marketplace Ministry assists students in reflecting upon the spirituality of work in its various manifestations. 然后,教牧研究的学生在工作世界的组织设置中探索基督教实践的意义和途径, beyond church structures. Courses include:
- LIM 819: Spirituality and the Theology of Work (3 credits)
- LIM 820: Ministry in the Marketplace (3 credits)
- LIM 861: Pastoral Leadership and Organization (3 credits)
在牧灵生活和管理的重点领域,帮助准备牧灵领袖的事工在越来越多的教区没有常驻牧师或担任牧灵行政人员或助理教区团队. Courses include:
- LIM 844: Parish Life and Ministry (3 credits)
- LIM 845: Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry (3 credits)
- LIM 861: Pastoral Leadership and Organization (3 credits)
这个重点领域探索自然世界作为上帝的启示,并与宇宙及其故事对所有有信仰的人的影响. Courses include:
- LIM 813: The Universe as Divine Manifestation (3 credits)
- LIM 814: The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story (3 credits)
- LIM 861: Pastoral Leadership and Organization (3 credits)
这个重点领域向学生介绍青年和青年事工的动态基础,重点是青少年的发展需求, young adults, the lived experience of contemporary youth and young adult ministers, the prevalence of social media, 以及在这个充满挑战的时代,最能促进青年和年轻人基督教健康发展的事工模式和实践. Courses include:
- LIM 870: Foundations of Youth Ministry (3 credits)
- LIM 876: Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development (3 credits)
- LIM 861: Pastoral Leadership and Organization (3 credits)
Opportunities for providing pastoral care come with the territory of prison, hospice, hospital, and nursing home ministry, as well as ministry in social service agencies. This focus area offers a solid background and working knowledge of skills for women and men who work in pastoral care settings, which require them to initiate and sustain relationships with others in which a high degree of support and challenge are offered. Courses include:
- LIM 849: Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling (3 credits)
- CNSL 830: Counseling Theories (3 credits)
- CNSL 835: Introduction to Counseling (3 credits)
- CNSL A836: Individual Counseling Skills Lab (1 credit)
Given their unique ministries, some pastoral studies students find that a combination of courses from different focus areas may suit their needs best. Such students, in consultation with their advisors, may develop an individualized track for the MPS degree. Coursework will include:
- Two focus area courses (chosen in consultation with an advisor)
- Pastoral Leadership and Organization
Electives and Capstone
9 Credits
master of pastoral studies
Electives (6 credits)
M.P.S. students take six additional credit hours of electives. Normally, 在与学生的学术顾问协商后,从上一选项卡中列出的重点领域中选择两门选修课程.
Capstone (3 credits)
- LIM 886: Pastoral and Educational Praxis (3 credits)
- Overview
- Application Requirements
- Tuition & Fees
- Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Fellowships
- Expedited Admit
Overview
Online
master of pastoral studies
Applications are accepted year-round for enrollment for Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Application deadlines: August 1, January 1, May 1
Admission Requirements
Online
master of pastoral studies
Application»
Complete online with no fee
Statement of Educational Purpose»
你的教育目的陈述将使招生委员会了解你申请洛约拉学院的原因,以及你从我们的课程中受益的能力. It should also give you, the applicant, some clarity about why you seek admission to this program and so should assist you in your own discernment process. This statement should be an essay
- 600-1200 words in length
- double-spaced
- word-processed
Please state as clearly as possible your reasons for seeking your specified type of study (master's degree, continuing education or graduate certificate, or non-degree). What has led you to pursue your studies, and how do you think they can help you grow in a current or future ministry? Or, for those who do not now consider themselves to be in ministry, how do you think they can help you explore faith and its implications for the Church and world today?
你可以包括任何关于你自己的额外信息,你认为会帮助招生委员会评估你的工作, academic and ministerial background, 以及帮助委员会评估你参与这个研究生水平的事工教育计划的能力的信息.
Those who have been away from academic writing for a while sometimes find this an anxiety-producing project. It need not be. Think of it instead as an opportunity to tell your story. What have you done in your life that has led you to decide to apply, and what do you hope to get out of this study opportunity? Surely you will get out of this opportunity more than you anticipate, but it is good to set down on paper your initial thoughts in part because doing so will help you as you discern further study.
Proof of a bachelor's degree»
Your degree must have a minimum of 2.50 G.P.A. as well as any subsequent academic work (undergraduate or graduate) from an accredited college or university, 由授予学士学位和任何后续学分的学术机构邮寄的官方成绩单验证. Early in the application process, please request that official transcripts from the university or college be sent to avoid a delay in receiving an admission decision. Electronic transcripts sent directly from the issuing college or university are acceptable.
Résumé of work experience»
Your résumé should include professional and/or voluntary ministerial responsibilities
Two recommendation forms»
These forms are to be completed by people who have observed you in a work, ministerial, or educational setting. The application form asks you to give the contact information of your recommenders, who will be asked to complete the form online or on paper.
International Students»
In addition to completing the application requirements, international students whose first language is not English must submit
- official original secondary school transcripts. All transcripts that are not in English must be evaluated. SPANTRAN is a recommended service. An official course-by-course evaluation must be included.
- official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET)
If an international applicant is admitted and chooses to enroll, an affidavit of financial support 在接下来的皇冠365官方app中心的注册和签证签发过程中,将需要提供护照复印件.
Tuition and Fees
Online
master of pastoral studies
Because of the Jesuit commitment to spreading the gospel and training leaders, all LIM students receive a substantial discount off the regular Loyola University graduate tuition rate.
Current graduate tuition is $425 per credit hour ($1,275 per course). Current tuition for the continuing education certificates, including the advanced continuing education certificate, is $135 per CEU ($405 per course). Online students pay certain university fees as well. Fees for part-time graduate students (1-5 credit hrs per semester) are $112.50; full-time fees (6+ credit hrs per semester) are $225.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Online
master of pastoral studies
Financial Aid
LIM online, on-campus, 每学期注册6个或更多学分的扩展学生有资格获得联邦学生经济援助和私人学生贷款. For further information about online student financial aid, please For further information about financial aid, please visit Loyola's Online Student Financial Aid page and the PLUS Loan program page.
Students are also encouraged to seek out private scholarships, such as ones available through professional ministerial organizations of which they are a member, such as the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and which offer member scholarships.
U.S. students may be eligible for a Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. This tax credit was designed to help students acquire or improve job skills. Part-time students may apply. This is a tax credit equal to 20 percent of the first $5,000 of qualifying tuition paid or $1,000 maximum per family. Consult your tax advisor for complete details.
LIM Scholarships
Thanks to the generous support of our donors, particularly Joe and Kelly George, the families of Dr. Betty Montgomery and Ingrid Lilly Frohlich Burns, and the Mary Family Foundation, LIM offers several scholarships.
Active Ministry Scholarship»
洛约拉学院部致力于支持学生在教牧研究和宗教教育攻读研究生学位. Recognizing that finances can be a barrier to those called to pursue advanced degrees, LIM有有限数量的部分奖学金,每学期200-500美元不等,提供给全职事工的研究生, either on a paid or volunteer basis and taking a minimum of three LIM courses per year, and enrolled in a LIM program requiring 12 or more credit hours for completion.
A brief essay of 500 words should explain your work in ministry. Please have this file ready to upload before you begin the application.
Students can apply for a scholarship at any time, but must have a completed application and be admitted into a LIM graduate program to be considered for a scholarship award. In the current academic year, which runs from the fall semester through the summer semester, apply by August 5 to be eligible for an award for the fall semester, by December 5 to be eligible for an award for the spring semester, by May 5 to be eligible for an award for the summer semester.
Graduate Assistant Scholarship»
Each academic year, LIM为新奥尔良的校园或完全在线的田园研究硕士或宗教教育硕士学位课程的学生提供全额学费研究生助理奖学金. The scholarship recipient would be responsible for university fees and working up to 5 hours a week as a graduate assistant. For more information, please contact LIM Director Tracey Lamont, Ph.D., at tlamont@1e1v.com.
Needs-Based Scholarship»
洛约拉学院部致力于支持学生在教牧研究和宗教教育攻读研究生学位. Recognizing that finances can be a barrier to those called to pursue advanced degrees, LIM有有限数量的部分奖学金,每学期200-500美元不等,提供给全职事工的研究生, either on a paid or volunteer basis and taking a minimum of three LIM courses per year, and enrolled in a LIM program requiring 12 or more credit hours for completion.
Awards are based on financial need, which is demonstrated by completing an application that requires a Statement of Need to be uploaded with the application. The Statement of Need should be a single-spaced, 500-word document or PDF file. It must describe the financial circumstances you are experiencing that necessitate scholarship aid. Please have this file ready to upload before you begin the application.
Students can apply for a scholarship at any time, but must have a completed application and be admitted into a LIM graduate program to be considered for a scholarship award. In the current academic year, which runs from the fall semester through the summer semester, apply by August 5 to be eligible for an award for the fall semester, by December 5 to be eligible for an award for the spring semester, by May 5 to be eligible for an award for the summer semester.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps Graduate Assistant Scholarship»
Each academic year, LIM awards one full-tuition graduate assistant scholarship for an eligible FJV to pursue, on-campus in New Orleans, or fully online, the degree of Master of Pastoral Studies or Master of Religious Education. The scholarship recipient would be responsible for university fees and working up to 5 hours a week as a graduate assistant. For questions or to apply for the FJV scholarship, please contact LIM Director, Tracey Lamont, Ph.D. at tlamont@1e1v.com.
Alumni Referral Scholarship»
洛约拉学院的校友和校友被邀请推荐新的研究生或本科LIM申请人获得一次性500美元奖学金.
How It Works
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一位校友会确定潜在的LIM本科或研究生学位或证书的候选人,并确保他们可以让你提交他们的名字和电子邮件地址作为你推荐的一部分.
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The alum completes this form for each person.
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LIM will contact the alum's referrals and invite them to apply.
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LIM will continue to alert the referral about LIM Open Houses and other LIM events, and they can always request to be removed from our contact list.
Fine Print
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Anyone who has completed a LIM graduate or undergraduate degree or certificate, including CEU graduates, may refer someone for this scholarship.
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There is no limit to the number of people you may refer.
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申请LIM本科或研究生学位或证书的申请人,以前没有参加过LIM课程,有资格获得奖学金. Applicants for CEU credentials are not eligible.
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This scholarship may not be combined with any other one-time LIM scholarships.
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The scholarship is a one-time $500 scholarship for a student who enrolls in a course in the 2022 calendar year.
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奖学金将被记入符合条件的获奖者的账户,这些获奖者在学期的第五个完整周后继续注册.
Gerald M. Fagin, SJ, Scholarship»
In recognition of outstanding academic achievement and commitment to Jesuit values, LIM awards annually the Gerald M. Fagin, SJ, Scholarship to two students to honor the legacy of former Loyola Institute for Ministry faculty member Fr. Jerry Fagin, SJ. 奖学金获得者必须全职从事有薪或志愿的事工,并且每年至少参加3门LIM课程. For the purpose of this scholarship, ministry is defined as a position at a church, teacher in a Catholic school, and/or in a church-based organization.
Graduate students who have completed 18 credit hours toward their master’s degree and who currently have a GPA of 3.5 or higher may apply for this scholarship which awards up to $500 per course for the remainder of the student's courses. The deadline for applications is May 19, and the recipients will be announced the following August.
The application consists of an online form and an essay. The essay should be double-spaced and not longer than 2 pages (approx. 500 words) and should be a Word or PDF document. Please have this file ready to upload before you begin the application. You must be logged into your Loyola-sponsored Gmail account in order to upload your file. Apply here»
In your essay, please describe your understanding of and commitment to Ignatian spirituality such as its practices of prayer, discernment, finding God in all things, and your commitment to service rooted in justice and love. How has your practice of Ignatian spirituality impacted your life and ministry in practical concrete ways?
To learn more about the life and legacy of Fr. Gerald Fagin, or donate to this scholarship fund, please go here»
Haciendo Caminos Fellowship
As part of the Haciendo Caminos initiative, LIM is offering a limited number of fellowships for up to $23,为西班牙裔天主教徒提供1万美元,以支持他们追求神学和教牧教育的研究生,从而成为美国各地教区和皇冠365官方app的教牧领袖. Fellowships would cover the cost of tuition with additional funds to cover other academic needs.
Eligibility Requirements»
Priority is given to nominations for students who, full time or part-time, can complete their degrees by the end of summer 2027.
- Hispanic or Latina/o born or reared in the U.S.
- young adult between the ages of 18–39
- Roman Catholic
- admitted to the Master of Pastoral Studies or Master of Religious Education program
- demonstrated capacity to engage in pastoral theological education and to employ that education in pastoral leadership roles, particularly within the Hispanic or Latina/o communities
- demonstrated financial need
Currently enrolled students are eligible to receive fellowship support.
Application Process»
To be nominated for a Haciendo Caminos Fellowship, 申请人必须获理大教牧学硕士或宗教教育硕士学位课程录取,并必须填写奖学金申请表. LIM will then nominate the candidate to the national Haciendo Caminos steering committee Once the nomination is received, the Haciendo Caminos steering committee evaluates the nomination and the program director communicates a decision within 2-3 weeks.
If a Fellowship is awarded, 皇冠app官方版下载将建立学生在给定年份的支付时间表,并将告知接受者必须如何解释奖学金资金的使用.
To apply for a Haciendo Caminos Fellowship, please complete this form.
Auto [Expedited] Admit Program for LOYNO Students
Online
master of pastoral studies
Are you a Loyola New Orleans graduating senior or current alum? You could be eligible for the auto admit program. The Pastoral Studies program will auto admit eligible Loyola New Orleans students who meet the following criteria:
- students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and submission of a resume will be automatically admitted.
To apply as an auto admit, submit one the following application:
Request Information
Start the conversation — learn more about your program of interest.
Master of Pastoral Studies or Master of Religious Education
Which is right for you?
Both the master of pastoral studies (M.P.S.) and master of religious education (M.R.E.) are practical and emphasize the importance of the educational process in forming students and faculty into a community of learners. Loyola’s master of religious education is designed for those interested in faith formation, not only in schools and churches but in any setting that can be conceived of as educational. The MRE degree does not provide a license or certification but may qualify graduates for teaching positions, depending on the employer’s requirements.
Loyola’s M.P.S. requires the same core courses but also allows students to specialize in a wider range of focus areas, which qualify graduates for a wider range of jobs — in churches, schools, and beyond — such as with youth and the environment, in non-profits, and within the helping professions. M.P.S. students have ample opportunity to explore both degrees, and applicants can begin in one program and move to the other if they wish, as the core requirements are the same. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor to choose the degree that suits their career goals.
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