MA Pastoral Studies

Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry

The MA in Pastoral Ministry provides a foundational, integrative curriculum for the theological education of people engaged in a variety of pastoral ministries, including: parish pastoral associate, parish life collaborator, director of religious education, youth minister, parish social minister, campus minister and health care minister. The curriculum is designed with attention to the competencies needed by Catholic lay ecclesial ministers and others. Students combine course work in central areas of theology with a year-long, formative practicum, including a field placement in their area of ministerial focus and an integrative seminar which culminates in a paper or pastoral project.

Students who follow a course rotation as shown below, taking two courses per semester plus the Formative Practicum/ Integrative Seminar, can complete the M.A. within 3-4 years. Departmental funding is available only to those who enroll in two courses per semester and maintain this status throughout their program. Others may enroll on a part-time basis, taking one or two courses per semester and completing the program in up to 6 years.

Students may begin studies in Year A, B or C. A minimum of 12 credits must be completed before enrolling in Formative Practicum/Integrative Seminar I and II.

Credit total: 30 credits are required for the degree, earned through completion of 10 courses at 3 credits each. The Formative Practicum/Integrative Seminar I and II is a two-semester requirement, fall and spring semesters, totaling 2 practicum units.

Beginning in Fall 2008, courses will be offered on the following schedule on Tuesdays each semester, with the first course at 1:00-3:40 P.M. and the second course at 6:00-8:40 P.M. The second, evening course will also be offered via videoconferencing at selected locations. In subsequent rotations, afternoon courses will move to evening times, and evening courses to afternoon times. Contact the Department of Theology for a separate list of course titles, times and instructors by semester.

Year A

Fall Semester:
Theol 520, Christology;
Theol 509, New Testament.

Spring Semester:
Theol 543, Social Ethics;
Theol 531, Ecclesiology.

Year B

Fall Semester:
Theol 541, Theological Ethics
Theol 510, Old Testament

Spring Semester:
Theol 538, Sacraments
Theol 596, Human Development: Theological Context

Year C

Fall Semester:
Theol 539, Theology of Ministry
Theol 595, Leadership in the Faith Community

Spring Semester: no credit courses

Formative Practicum/ Integrative Seminar I and II (1 unit each): offered approximately every 2 years, fall and spring semesters. This supervised ministry program requires that students complete a field placement appropriate to their area of focus (e.g., pastoral care, catechetics, campus ministry, etc.), study key resources in this area, engage in theological reflection based on their ministerial experiences, and complete a final project as evidence of their integrative learning.

MA in Pastoral Ministry with Concentration in Health Care Ministry (30 credits plus 2 CPE units): Students interested in becoming chaplains in a hospital or other health care center pursue the same course sequence as above, with the following substitutions:

Year C, Fall:
Substitute Theol 546, Health Care Ethics, for Theol 595, Leadership in the Faith Community

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE): substitute 2 units of CPE at an accredited center for Formative Practicum I and II.

Dual MA in Pastoral Ministry/ M.A. in Communication: Students who wish to combine studies in pastoral ministry with communication may enroll in the dual MA. Students must apply concurrently to each sponsoring department to be considered for the dual MA. Separate guidelines are available through Pastoral Ministry (ministry@duq.edu, or phone 412-396-6528) and through the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies (phone 412-396-6446).

Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Ministry (12 credits plus 2 Practicum units): Students who do not desire a Master’s degree but who are interested in theological studies for ministry may enroll in the Certificate. They take 4 courses among those offered, including Theol 539, Theology of Ministry, plus the 2-unit Formative Practicum.

Graduate Certificate in Health Care Ministry (12 credits plus 2 CPE units): Students who do not desire a Master’s degree but who are interested in ministry in health care settings may enroll in the Certificate. They take Theol 546 (Health Care Ethics), Theol 539 (Theology of Ministry), 2 other courses among those offered, and 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at an accredited center.

Financial Assistance for M.A. or Certificate in Pastoral Ministry:

Departmental Scholarships:
Students who agree to enroll in 2 courses (6 credits) per semester and maintain this status throughout their program may apply for a limited number of full departmental tuition scholarships. Forms are available through the Pastoral Ministry office, ministry@duq.edu.

Partial Tuition Discounts:
Other students may apply for partial tuition assistance as follows. These discounts may be utilized for one degree at Duquesne University, and students must re-apply for them annually. Forms are available through the university Financial Aid Office, phone 412-396-6607.

50% Discount for Lay Ministers and Catholic School Teachers:
Lay ministers employed at least part-time in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, as well as Catholic school teachers in local dioceses, receive an automatic 50% tuition discount.

50% Discount for Clergy and Vowed Religious:
Ordained clergy of any denomination, and members of Catholic religious congregations, receive an automatic 50% tuition discount.

50% Discount for Students over age 60.