Master of Pastoral Studies
Online
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 818 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Scholarships
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Introduction
Christians are called to “go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Lay people can do so as professionals or volunteers in churches and schools or in their everyday lives at home, work, and the larger communities to which they belong.
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.
Auto [Expedited] Admit Program for LOYNO Students
Are you a Loyola New Orleans graduating senior or a 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.
Admissions
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
Loyola’s master of pastoral studies degree online consists of 36 credit hours, which includes:
- Core courses (18 credit hours)
- Focus area courses (9 credit hours)
- Elective courses (6 credit hours)
- Capstone course (3 credit hours)
Core courses
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
Focus Areas (9 credits)
Pursuing a Master of Pastoral Studies degree allows students 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. Students in the Master of Pastoral Studies online program choose from the following focus areas.
- Christian Spirituality for Ministry
- Digital Culture and Ministry
- Marketplace Ministry
- Pastoral Life and Administration
- Religion and Ecology
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- Pastoral Care
- Individualized Program
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
Electives (6 credits)
M.P.S. students take six additional credit hours of electives. Normally, two elective courses are chosen – in consultation with a student’s academic advisor – from one of the focus areas listed in the previous tab.
Capstone (3 credits)
- LIM 886: Pastoral and Educational Praxis (3 credits)
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
What can you do with an online master of pastoral studies degree?
Discover your full potential.
Loyola’s 100% online master of pastoral studies online program will prepare you with the skills and knowledge needed to advance in a wide range of careers that spread the Good News, bringing people closer to God and their communities, in jobs like:
- Youth Minister
- Church/Diocesan Administrator
- Chaplain
- Retreat Director
- Healthcare Worker
- Music Minister
- Pastoral Associate
- Director of Spiritual Care
- Social Worker
- Non-Profit Leader
English Language Requirements
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