Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry is designed to prepare participants to serve competently and effectively in contemporary ecclesial ministries and leadership, especially in Catholic parish ministries, religious education on all levels, spirituality and spiritual development, youth ministry and catechetical leadership, or as a mission leader in Catholic healthcare or education.
The 36-semester hour degree plan encompasses three areas of study: scripture, theology (including the historical, sacramental, liturgical, moral and ecclesial aspects) and ministry, and normally culminates with an individually designed supervised Pastoral Project. Participants may incorporate a second field in their degree plan through other UIW graduate departments, particularly the Dreeben School of Education or the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Students may choose from concentrations including Mission Leadership, Parish Leadership, and Catechesis and Formation. With the permission of the Program Director, a student may complete the degree without a concentration.
In keeping with the spirit and direction set by the Second Vatican Council and subsequent ecclesial documents, the program promotes personal growth and spiritual formation through workshops and other opportunities for theological reflection and personal development. An integral part of the Pastoral Institute is the emphasis, not only on solid scriptural and theological foundations, but also on the pastoral application of theory and research to the concrete situations of ministry and to the development of leadership roles in the church. Theological reflection, therefore, is built into each course. Opportunities for planning and participating in liturgical celebrations as well as for group discussion and sharing are incorporated into the program.
Effective pastoral work in the U.S. requires familiarity with a variety of cultures and their languages. The UIW Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, therefore, offers classes in both Spanish and English and students are normally required to demonstrate oral competency in both languages prior to graduation. All courses are designed to attend to questions of ministry in cross-cultural contexts.
Admissions
The applicant for the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry must fulfill the general requirements for admission to Graduate Studies. Students must demonstrate readiness for English-language graduate study by means of the TOEFL or similar and submit a writing sample in either English or Spanish. In addition, students should submit a list of books and articles read in the previous two years, and two letters of recommendation. One of these letters should speak directly to the student’s academic abilities, and the second to their preparation and commitment to serve in a ministry of the church or one of its apostolates. Students whose applications seem promising will be asked to interview with a faculty member prior to their acceptance.
Following the guidance of the Association of Theological Schools, a small percentage of the student body may be admitted to the MA in Pastoral Ministry without having completed a bachelor’s degree. Students admitted under this option generally have earned at least 60 credits of college coursework. Interested students should be in contact with the Program Director before applying.
Prerequisites
Students must have completed at least 12 semester hours in Theology or Religious Studies at the undergraduate level, taken after 1985, including introductory courses in the study of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Documented non-credit studies such as diaconal studies or diocesan certification courses will be evaluated on an individual basis upon request. Students lacking these prerequisites may arrange through the Pastoral Institute to fulfill them through courses at UIW.
Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry Degree Plan
The degree plan requires 36 semester hours, distributed as follows:
Scripture—6 semester hours
Theology—12 semester hours
Ministry—12 semester hours
and
PMIN 6352 Program Planning and Evaluation
PMIN 63CS Pastoral Project
Students may choose from concentrations including Mission Leadership, Parish Leadership, and Catechesis and Formation. With the permission of the Program Director, a student may complete the degree without a concentration.
Mission Leadership Concentration
The Mission Leadership concentration is intended to help develop mission leaders for Catholic healthcare and education. Candidates must complete 15 credits in the concentration and complete the degree plan as follows:
Scripture—6 credit hours
Theology—3 credit hours
Theology/Ethics—6 credit hours
and PMIN 63CS and PMIN 6376
Core Courses
Theology/Ethics courses
Students may choose two of the following courses:
Additional Required Courses
| PMIN 6376 | Religious Charisms and Christian Mission | 3 |
| PMIN 63CS | Pastoral Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Parish Leadership Concentration
The Parish Leadership concentration is intended for Lay Ecclesial Ministers, Deacons, and others who will be participating in the ministry of Parish Administration. Students must complete 12 credits in the concentration, chosen in coordination with the Program Director. The degree plan for this concentration includes
Scripture—6 credit hours
Theology—12 credit hours
Ministry—12 credit hours, including
| PMIN 6360 | Leadership in the Christian Community | 3 |
| And | |
| PMIN 6358 | Leadership of Public Prayer | 3 |
| Or | |
| PMIN 6382 | Directing Parish Catechesis | 3 |
| And | |
| PMIN 6352 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| PMIN 63CS | Pastoral Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Catechesis and Formation Concentration
The Catechesis and Formation concentration prepares students for the work of catechesis, parish formation, or to better teach in the Catholic schools. Students must complete 12 credits in the concentration, chosen in coordination with the Program Director. The degree plan for this concentration includes:
Scripture—6 credit hours
Theology—12 credit hours
Ministry—12 credit hours, including
The Youth Ministry Sequence courses, (PMIN 6155 – PMIN 6162), offered in collaboration with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, can be applied to the requirements for the Catechesis and Formation concentration.
Youth Ministry Sequence
Students may take the Youth Ministry Sequence courses listed below, offered in conjunction with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, to count towards their Ministry requirements. These courses are awarded credit after successful completion of the Archdioceses’ course and with the completion of an additional final paper. Students should speak to the Program Director if they are interested in pursuing this option.