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Pastoral Ministry (B.A.)

Recommended Sequence of Courses in the major: For a current degree sequence, please visit the department's website.

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Pastoral Ministry requires 121 credit hours: Core Curriculum (43 hours); Community Service Hours (45 hours); Core in the major--Philosophy, Theology, and Scripture (39 hours); and a Concentration in Philosophy, Catholic Leadership, or Catechetics (39 hours).

Core in the Major: Philosophy, Theology, and Scripture (39 hours)

Students must complete the following 39 hours:

PMIN 1310Philosophy in the Catholic Tradition

PMIN 1320Introduction to Theology and Biblical Studies

PMIN 1341Introduction to Liturgy

PMIN 2320Catholic Biblical Interpretation--Old Testament

PMIN 2321Ancient Philosophy

PMIN 2332Catholic Biblical Interpretation--New Testament

PMIN 2351History of the Catholic Church

PMIN 3380Theology of the Creed: The Faith Professed

PMIN 3381Jesus Christ: God and Man

PMIN 2382Sacramental Theology: The Faith Celebrated

PMIN 3385Moral Theology: The Faith Lived

PMIN 2351History of the Catholic Church

PMIN 4385Catholic Spiritual Traditions: The Faith Prayed

PMIN 4387Ecclesiology

Concentration in the Major (39 Hours) is chosen from the following:

1. Concentration in Philosophy (39 Hours):

This concentration prepares students for the study of Theology and is based on the Church’s most fundamental belief in the compatibility of reason and faith. The overall goal is to enable graduates to understand their future theological studies within the context of the Catholic intellectual tradition. This concentration meets the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ requirements in Philosophy for admission into a major seminary for studies towards ordination.

A. Required courses (27 hours):

PMIN 1311Classical Logic

PMIN 2323Medieval Philosophy

PMIN 2342Philosophy of Nature and Being

PMIN 3325Modern Philosophy

PMIN 3327Contemporary Philosophy

PMIN 3384Epistemology

PMIN 4363Natural Theology

PMIN 3351Philosophical Anthropology

PMIN 4386Philosophical Ethics

B. Electives: 12 hours of Pastoral Ministry, Latin, Philosophy, or Theology

NOTE: Substitutions are possible with the approval of the Chair of the Department.

2. Concentration in Catholic Leadership (39 Hours):

This concentration is designed for those seeking to serve the Church in key lay pastoral ministry leadership positions in diocesan offices, in Catholic schools and organizations, and as parish administrators according to the quidelines outlined in Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord. The goal is to provide the student with an in-depth knowledge of the Church's teachings and a pastoral plan for implementing best practices for church management, ethical pastoral care, and faithful leadership in today's complex cultural settings.

A-Required courses (18 hours):

PMIN 1372Cross-Cultural Competencies for Pastoral Ministry

PMIN 2322Faith Development and Catechesis in a Multicultural Context

PMIN 2373Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century

PMIN 3330Canon Law for Ministry in Multicultural Communities

PMIN 3374Stewardship and Financial Management for Catholic Leaders

PMIN 4378Ethics and Accountability for Catholic Leaders

B. Electives: 21 hours of Pastoral Ministry, Latin, Philosophy, or Theology

NOTE: Substitutions are possible with the approval of the Chair of the Department.

3. Concentration in Catechetics (39 Hours):

Catechetics is the teaching of basic Catholic doctrine. This concentration prepares catechetical leaders to oversee diocesan, parish, and school-based programs for evangelizing and educating adults, teens, children, and families in the Catholic faith. The courses draw from the rich array of the Church's documents on evangelization, catechesis, culture, and Hispanic Ministry. The goal is to enable the graduate to design and implement a comprehensive approach to catechesis that begins with the family, builds on the assets of the community and culture being served, and is centered in the sacramental life of the church.

A. Required courses (15 hours):

PMIN 1350Foundations of Evangelization and Catechesis

PMIN 2352Catechetical Content, Methods, and Curriculum

PMIN 2354Baptismal Catechumenate (RCIA) and Catholic Formation

PMIN 3356Family, Culture and Catechesis

PMIN 3358Youth and Young Adult Ministry

B. Electives: 24 hours of Pastoral Ministry, Latin, Philosophy, or Theology

NOTE: Substitutions are possible with the approval of the Chair of the Department.