Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree program is offered through a collaborative academic arrangement between the University of the Incarnate Word and the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) in San Antonio, Texas. The degree prepares students for parish ministry, and for graduate study in ministry or theology. The program emphasizes intercultural competencies, and preparation to work with the diverse populations of the American Southwest.
In keeping with its mission, the program is designed to provide students with a breadth of knowledge in the liberal arts and Catholic culture, offer a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies, ensure language proficiency for ministry in a bilingual pastoral setting and for English-language graduate studies, and equip students with leadership skills and intercultural competencies.
Students can choose among three concentrations:
• Philosophy (Fulfills the requirements for admission to a Catholic seminary program.)
• Catechetics
• Catholic Leadership
The Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree program requires 121 credit hours for graduation: 43 hours in the UIW Core Curriculum; the specified 39 hours of the foundational core courses in philosophy, theology, and scripture; and 39 hours in a concentration in either Philosophy, Catholic Leadership, or Catechetics. Students will also complete the required 45 clock hours in community service.
Core in the Major: Philosophy, Theology, and Scripture (39 hours)
Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry—Catechetics Concentration
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.
UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum
UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.
| UIW Core Curriculum |
| Composition and Rhetoric |
6 credit hours |
| Literature and Art |
6 credit hours |
| Science and Mathematics |
7 credit hours |
| History and Behavioral Science |
6 credit hours |
| Philosophy and Religion |
9 credit hours |
| Second Language |
6 credit hours |
| Wellness and Physical Education |
3 credit hours |
| |
43 total core credit hours |
| |
|
| Community Service |
45 clock hours (non-credit) |
Pastoral Ministry Required Core Coursework
| PMIN 1310 | Philosophy in the Catholic Tradition | 3 |
| PMIN 1320 | Introduction to Theology and Biblical Studies | 3 |
| PMIN 1341 | Introduction to Liturgy | 3 |
| PMIN 2320 | Catholic Biblical Interpretations: Old Testament | 3 |
| PMIN 2321 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
| PMIN 2332 | Catholic Biblical Interpretation: New Testament | 3 |
| PMIN 2351 | History of the Catholic Church | 3 |
| PMIN 2382 | Sacramental Theology: The Faith Celebrated | 3 |
| PMIN 3380 | Theology of the Creed: The Faith Professed | 3 |
| PMIN 3381 | Jesus Christ: God and Man | 3 |
| PMIN 3385 | Moral Theology: The Faith Lived | 3 |
| PMIN 4385 | Catholic Spiritual Traditions: The Faith Prayed | 3 |
| PMIN 4387 | Ecclesiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 |
Catechetics Concentration Required Coursework
| PMIN 1350 | Foundations of Evangelization and Catechesis | 3 |
| PMIN 2352 | Cathechetical Content, Methods, and Curriculum | 3 |
| PMIN 2354 | Baptismal Catechumenate (RCIA) and Catholic Formation | 3 |
| PMIN 3356 | Family, Culture and Cathechesis | 3 |
| PMIN 3358 | Youth and Young Adult Ministry | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Catechetics Concentration Elective Coursework
24 credit hours of electives are required for the Catechetics concentration, to be selected from Pastoral Ministry, Latin, Philosophy, or Theology. Substitutions are possible with the approval of the Chair of the Department.
Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry—Catholic Leadership Concentration
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 guidelines 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.
UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum
UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.
| UIW Core Curriculum |
| Composition and Rhetoric |
6 credit hours |
| Literature and Art |
6 credit hours |
| Science and Mathematics |
7 credit hours |
| History and Behavioral Science |
6 credit hours |
| Philosophy and Religion |
9 credit hours |
| Second Language |
6 credit hours |
| Wellness and Physical Education |
3 credit hours |
| |
43 total core credit hours |
| |
|
| Community Service |
45 clock hours (non-credit) |
Pastoral Ministry Required Core Coursework
| PMIN 1310 | Philosophy in the Catholic Tradition | 3 |
| PMIN 1320 | Introduction to Theology and Biblical Studies | 3 |
| PMIN 1341 | Introduction to Liturgy | 3 |
| PMIN 2320 | Catholic Biblical Interpretations: Old Testament | 3 |
| PMIN 2321 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
| PMIN 2332 | Catholic Biblical Interpretation: New Testament | 3 |
| PMIN 2351 | History of the Catholic Church | 3 |
| PMIN 2382 | Sacramental Theology: The Faith Celebrated | 3 |
| PMIN 3380 | Theology of the Creed: The Faith Professed | 3 |
| PMIN 3381 | Jesus Christ: God and Man | 3 |
| PMIN 3385 | Moral Theology: The Faith Lived | 3 |
| PMIN 4385 | Catholic Spiritual Traditions: The Faith Prayed | 3 |
| PMIN 4387 | Ecclesiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 |
Catholic Leadership Concentration Required Coursework
| PMIN 1372 | Cross-Cultural Competencies in Pastoral Ministry | 3 |
| PMIN 2322 | Faith Development and Catechesis in Multiple Contexts | 3 |
| PMIN 2373 | Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century | 3 |
| PMIN 3330 | Canon Law for Ministry in Multicultural Communities | 3 |
| PMIN 3374 | Stewardship and Financial Management for Catholic Leaders | 3 |
| PMIN 4378 | Ethics and Accountability for Catholic Leaders | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Catholic Leadership Concentration Elective Coursework
21 credit hours of electives are required for the Catholic Leadership concentration, to be selected from Pastoral Ministry, Latin, Philosophy, or Theology. Substitutions are possible with the approval of the Chair of the Department.
Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry—Philosophy Concentration
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.
UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum
UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.
| UIW Core Curriculum |
| Composition and Rhetoric |
6 credit hours |
| Literature and Art |
6 credit hours |
| Science and Mathematics |
7 credit hours |
| History and Behavioral Science |
6 credit hours |
| Philosophy and Religion |
9 credit hours |
| Second Language |
6 credit hours |
| Wellness and Physical Education |
3 credit hours |
| |
43 total core credit hours |
| |
|
| Community Service |
45 clock hours (non-credit) |
Pastoral Ministry Required Core Coursework
| PMIN 1310 | Philosophy in the Catholic Tradition | 3 |
| PMIN 1320 | Introduction to Theology and Biblical Studies | 3 |
| PMIN 1341 | Introduction to Liturgy | 3 |
| PMIN 2320 | Catholic Biblical Interpretations: Old Testament | 3 |
| PMIN 2321 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
| PMIN 2332 | Catholic Biblical Interpretation: New Testament | 3 |
| PMIN 2351 | History of the Catholic Church | 3 |
| PMIN 2382 | Sacramental Theology: The Faith Celebrated | 3 |
| PMIN 3380 | Theology of the Creed: The Faith Professed | 3 |
| PMIN 3381 | Jesus Christ: God and Man | 3 |
| PMIN 3385 | Moral Theology: The Faith Lived | 3 |
| PMIN 4385 | Catholic Spiritual Traditions: The Faith Prayed | 3 |
| PMIN 4387 | Ecclesiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 |
Philosophy Concentration Required Coursework
Philosophy Concentration Elective Coursework
12 credit hours of electives are required for the Philosophy concentration, to be selected from Pastoral Ministry, Latin, Philosophy, or Theology. Substitutions are possible with the approval of the Chair of the Department.