Pastoral Studies (M.A.)
This program is offered online.
The Master of Arts degree (M.A.) in pastoral studies prepares students to serve in parishes, denominational offices, schools, hospitals, and other such organizations where leadership depends on skilled cultivation of religiously informed practice. This degree is also designed to meet the requirements for pastoral ministers set out by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Association for Lay Ministry. Courses include scripture, theology, spirituality, pastoral care and counseling, religious education, and ministry. This degree provides a solid foundation for students seeking to follow many different career paths that benefit from bringing religion scholarship to service.
Student Learning Outcomes
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Students will demonstrate facilities with methods of research in specific theological disciplines for post-graduate and doctoral studies.
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Students will communicate the Christian story competently to make it accessible through a variety of means (e.g. teaching, writing, dialogue, personal consultation).
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Students will articulate the relationship between the Christian tradition and their professional practice and spiritual development.
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Students will articulate a well rounded knowledge and critical appropriation of Jesuit Spirituality and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
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Students will use tools of literary, cultural, historical, and social analysis in the interpretation of various cultures and their relationship to the Christian tradition.
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Students will demonstrate a well-rounded and critical appropriation of effective ministerial skill in ecclesial, congregational, and institutional settings with theological understanding and practical skills consistent with his/her specialization.
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CIP Code
39.0705 - Lay Ministry.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
Students admitted to the program are expected to have sufficient academic background to complete the program. Additional coursework may be required for students with insufficient background, raising the total number of credits required to complete the program to 42 or more. Additional coursework may include the following:
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A religious education elective consisting of any course with the REGR subject code numbered 6000-7999, as listed on our course listings page.
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A pastoral ministry elective consisting of any course with the PMGR subject code numbered 6000-7999, as listed on our course listings page.
Students with sufficient academic background are waived from these additional course requirements.
Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PMGR 6510 | Theology of Ministry | 3 |
| RLGR 6010 | Old Testament | 3 |
| RLGR 6011 | New Testament | 3 |
| RLGR 6030 | Christology | 3 |
| PMGR 8030 | M.A. Integrating Seminar | 3 |
| One of the following Intercultural requirement courses: | 3 | |
| Foundations for Intercultural Ministry and Religious Education | ||
| Ministry with Latinxs | ||
| ST Tutorial-Pastoral Ministry (An approved section) | ||
Another course approved by the Pastoral Ministry faculty committee | ||
| One Systematic Theology course: | 3 | |
| Theology of the Human Person | ||
| Church and Society | ||
| One Moral Education course: | 3 | |
| Education for Peace and Justice | ||
| Moral Education & Development | ||
| One Spirituality course: | 3 | |
| The Ignatian Way | ||
| Discernment in the Christian Tradition | ||
| One Pastoral Counseling course: | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Development | ||
| Theology of Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care | ||
| Psychology and Religion/Spirituality | ||
| Death, Dying, and Bereavement | ||
| Two general electives 1 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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A general elective is any nonrestricted course at GRE. In addition, with the permission of the designated faculty and/or department, students may enroll in courses offered at other Fordham University graduate schools, and the member schools of the New York Theological Consortium.
Final Project
The Master of Arts degree (M.A.) in pastoral studies program concludes with a capstone course, PMGR 8030 (offered each spring). The course involves a terminal group research project on a topic determined by the faculty.