The Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry program prepares students for
competent leadership in a specialized ministry within the Catholic Church
(e.g., youth, catechetical, liturgical, etc.). The program's aim is to
provide the student with both a basic core of theological knowledge as
well as specialized training in the chosen field of ministerial
engagement.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the University's admission requirements for graduate
study and the general admission requirements for ICSST programs, M.A.P.M.
applicants must:
- submit the results of psychological testing, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Rorschach, the Autobiographical Sketch, the Gestalt Test and the Draw-a-Person Test, all taken at a center approved by ICSST; and
- have a personal interview with the director of the Lay Ministry program.
NOTE: At least two years of ministerial experience centering around
communicating religious values to others is preferred.
Matriculation Requirements
Students enrolled in the M.A.P.M. program must maintain a GPA of at
least 3.000 on a 4.000 scale in pastoral theology courses, and at least a
2.500 GPA in courses in each of the biblical, historical, moral and systematics areas. Students are permitted five years to complete the
program, but may petition for an extension of time from the ICSST
Educational Policy Committee in extenuating circumstances.
Degree Requirements
The M.A.P.M. program consists of four components: course work; field
education and theological reflection; spiritual formation; and, the
Integration Seminar/Final Comprehensive Project. These components are
divided as follows:
I. Course Work (39 credits)
Students complete course work according to the distribution below,
divided among 30 credits in the core theological curriculum and 12
credits in their area of pastoral specialization. Specific courses are
selected in conjunction with the student's academic adviser.
A. Core Theological Curriculum
Students must complete three credits in each of the core
areas listed below. The possible course choices listed represent typical
selections, not concrete
requirements.
| Core Areas | Possible Course Choices |
| New Testament | BIBL 6501, 6503, 6505 |
| Old Testament | BIBL 6201, 6203, 6205 |
| Church History | HSTD 6301, 6401, 6405 |
| Liturgy | STHO 6501 |
| Christology or Trinity | STHO 6203, 6204 |
| Ecclesiology | STHO 6207, 6208 |
| Sacramental Theology | STHO 6503, 6505, 6509 |
| Moral Theology | CETH 6101, 6102, 6306 |
| Theological Foundations for Ministry | STHO 6208, 6575 |
B. Concentration Area
Students must earn 12 credits in PTHO courses. The course work should
represent a coherent concentration in a particular area of pastoral
ministry and be determined by the student's present and prospective
ministerial needs. Areas of concentration currently available include
catechetical ministry, youth ministry, spirituality, liturgical
ministry, health care ministry and church management.
II. Field Education and Theological Reflection
All M.A.P.M. students must complete the equivalent of six credits of
field education in professionally supervised settings approved by ICSST.
Students may meet this requirement as follows: (1) by taking part in
two, one-semester field education experiences of six to eight hours
weekly in a supervised setting; (2) by enrolling in clinical pastoral
education; or (3) other means approved by the director of lay ministry
or associate dean. Concomitant with field education, students must
enroll in a theological reflection group, which normally meets
approximately 10 times over the course of an academic year. Registration
for the group is made through the associate dean.
III. Spiritual Formation
The formation program has three components. The first is the
"Foundational Spiritual Experience." A cognitive and experiential
introduction to the spiritual life, this year long program is offered
bi-annually. The sessions revolve around movements in the spiritual
exercises. Shared liturgy, instruction, faith-sharing and communal
prayer are some elements of the experience. Participants should register in the
summer. Participation in the program early in the course of study is
encouraged. The second component of formation is spiritual direction.
Each student must choose a spiritual director from among those
recommended by the School. The list of recommended directors, persons
associated in some way with the School who are familiar with the program
and its goals, is available from the director of lay ministry. Each student will record his/her choice
with the director of lay ministry. The third formation component
is a several day long retreat made at some time during the course of
studies. A file of area retreat houses and their schedules is maintained
in the library. When the retreat has been completed, the student should
inform the director of lay ministry.
IV. Integration Seminar and Final Comprehensive Project
All students must enroll in and successfully complete the three-credit
Integration Seminar (PTHO 9101). Completion of this seminar involves
successful preparation of an acceptable final comprehensive project in
ministry, attesting to the student's successful integration of
theological knowledge and pastoral expertise with its appropriate
application to a selected pastoral issue. Copies of the final project
will be submitted to the ICSST Library.