|
PASTORAL STUDIES
Pastoral Studies
Director: Mary Anne Rivera, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION
In its Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, the Second Vatican Council teaches that through
baptism “the laity share in the priestly, prophetic, and royal office of Christ and therefore
have their own role to play in the mission of the whole People of God in the Church and in the
world” (art. #2). The Graduate Program in Pastoral Studies is designed to help educate and train
lay people for a variety of roles within the mission of the people of God. This program is
equally open to members of religious communities and people of all Christian traditions.
There are two areas of concentration in this program: Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry.
Both require a total of thirty (30) credit hours.
I. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Religious Education concentration consists primarily of graduate work in Catholic theology
and professional catechetical formation. As such, this concentration is designed to prepare
individuals to assume roles as Church Director of Religious Education, RCIA Coordinator,
catechist for parish Religious Education programs, and/or teacher of religion in Catholic schools.
Objectives
- to provide a solid theological foundation for all areas of cateechetical ministry
- to develop and enhance the student’s ability to effectively teach children, adolescents,
and adults the rich theological Tradition of the Church
- to foster in students the desire and the ability to pursue ongoing scholarly theological
research and study as well as catechetical formation.
Curriculum
Required Courses (18 credits)
3 GPAST 610 Covenant and Discipleship
3 GPAST 620 Theology of Jesus Christ
3 GPAST 630 Theology of the Church
3 GPAST 640 Theology of the Christian Sacraments
3 GPAST 650 The Foundations of Christian Ethics
3 GPAST 660 Teaching Strategies for Religious Education
Cognate Course
3 Graduate course in Education (must be approved by Program Director)
Electives (any two of the following - 6 credits)
3 GPAST 632 Patristics
3 GPAST 670 Theological Foundations of Ministry
3 GPAST 671 Spiritual Foundations of the Christian Life
3 GPAST 690-694 Special Topics in Theology
3 Approved Cognate
Directed Research Project (GPAST 796 - 3 credits)
Primarily, the research project is to give evidence of the student’s competence to do scholarly
theological research. In addition, it is to demonstrate the student’s ability to apply scholarly
research to a catechetical project or concern. The Program Director and at least one other
member of the Theology Department must approve the topic. Either person can serve as director
of the project. Upon approval, the student must then submit a reading list to the project
director who may amend it. The project director must approve the final draft of the paper.
Oral Examination
A one-hour oral examination will occur once the student has completed the Directed Research
Project. The student will meet with a three-member board of faculty members, including his/her
project director. The focus of the oral examination will be the student’s research project and
reading list. A positive (pass) grade is required in order to obtain the degree.
Spiritual Direction
Effective ministry in the Church is not only the result of good theological training but also of
the minister’s ability to integrate theology, life experience, and spirituality. For this reason,
all students in this program are required to have an approved Spiritual Director. Certification
of the student’s participation in regular, on-going spiritual direction must be presented to the
Program Director before the completion of the student’s second course. A list of Spiritual
Directors is available from the Program Director.
II. PASTORAL MINISTRY
The Pastoral Ministry concentration consists primarily of graduate work in Catholic theology
along with professional ministerial training. As such, this concentration is designed to prepare
individuals to assume roles as Church ministers for parishes, hospitals, nursing homes and
prisons.
Objectives
- to provide a solid theological foundation for all areas of lay ministry within the Church
- to foster in students the ability to incorporate theological reflection within ministerial
experiences
- to develop the personal and professional skills necessary for leadership and ministry within
the local Church
- to provide the student opportunities to learn ministerial skills through experience
- to develop the pursuit of the integration of theology, spirituality, life experiences, and
professional training necessary for lay ministry of quality and endurance
Curriculum
Required Courses (24 credits)
3 GPAST 610 Covenant and Discipleship
3 GPAST 620 Theology of Jesus Christ
3 GPAST 630 Theology of the Church
3 GPAST 640 Theology of the Christian Sacraments
3 GPAST 650 The Foundations of Christian Ethics
3 GPAST 670 Theological Foundations of Ministry
3 GPAST 671 Spiritual Foundations of the Christian Life
3 GPSY 648 Counseling Strategies and Techniques
Cognates (one of the following - 3 credits)
3 GPSY 605 Group Dynamics
3 GPSY 612 Family Therapy
3 GPSY ___ Other Approved Counseling Courses
Practicum (GPAST 791 - 3 credits)
An internship experience of approximately 10-12 hours per week will be provided. The placement
process begins with an initial three-way conference (student, field supervisor, program director)
and results in an internship contract. The delineation of objectives, theological reflection
cases, weekly meetings with the supervisor, and on-site visits by the program director will be a
regular part of the internship. A collaborative written evaluation is required in order to
obtain the degree. The student will be required to write process-recording interventions, two
pastoral care assessments and two theory-practice integration reflection papers.
Oral Examination
A one-hour oral examination will occur before a board of three faculty members. One month prior
to the exam, the student will be given a pastoral ministry case. It will be the student’s task
to respond to that case theologically and ministerially. For the exam, the student is to provide
a short reading list of pertinent texts that apply to the case and an outline of the response.
This list will demonstrate the research the student has done and will also be a source for
questions by the board. A positive (pass) grade for this exam is required in order to obtain the
degree.
Spiritual Direction
Effective ministry in the Church is not only the result of good theological training but also of
the minister’s ability to integrate theology, life experience, and spirituality. For this reason,
all students in this program are required to have an approved Spiritual Director. Certification
of the student’s participation in regular, on-going spiritual direction must be presented to the
Program Director before the completion of the student’s second course. A list of Spiritual
Directors is available from the Program Director.
III. THE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The program is designed for parish Coordinators of Religious Education and the RCIA as well as
catechists and teachers in Religious Education programs and Catholic schools who wish to do some
graduate work in theology and catechetics without necessarily pursuing a Master’s degree.
Successful completion of twelve (12) credits from the required and cognate courses for the
Religious Education concentration warrants the awarding of a Certificate by the Center for
Catechetical Studies. Should the recipient elect to continue towards the Master’s degree, the
credits earned for the Certificate would be recognized. All graduate admission requirements
apply to candidates for the Certificate.
IV. THE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL MINISTRY
This program is designed for persons who may already be credentialed and degreed in other areas
but who are seeking second careers in ministry and therefore are in need of specific theological
and ministerial training. This program is also for those who are already engaged in ministry and
who possess a graduate degree, but wish more theological background and ministerial training.
Successful completion of Theological Foundations of Ministry, Counseling Strategies and
Techniques, one additional Theology course and a practicum are required for the Certificate.
All graduate admission requirements apply to candidates for the Certificate.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- nine undergraduate credits in theology or religious studies
- introductory interview by the Program Director
- written essay by applicant
- willingness to participate in Spiritual Direction
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GPAST 610 Covenant and Discipleship in the Scriptures
3 credits
An examination of the concepts of election, promise and covenant in the Hebrew Scriptures and the
foundations for Christian discipleship in the New Testament.
GPAST 620 Theology of Jesus Christ
3 credits
A study of the mystery of Jesus Christ, his person and his redemptive mission, showing the
development of the Church’s understanding of Jesus Christ from the witness of the primitive
Church in the New Testament to the central christological dogmas of the early councils, through
the speculative insight of the Medieval Schoolmen and contemporary theologians.
GPAST 630 Theology of the Church
3 credits
A study of the Church as the “People of God” according to its origins, its nature and
constitution and its mission, including an investigation of the role of Mary and the Office of
Peter in the life of the Church.
GPAST 632 Patristics
3 credits
A survey of ancient Christian writers from the author of the Didache to St. John of Damascus,
emphasizing the great catechetical treatises of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. John Chrysostom,
St. Ambrose and St. Augustine.
GPAST 640 Theology of the Christian Sacraments
3 credits
A biblical, historical and liturgical study of the Christian sacraments, viewed in a
Christological-ecclesial perspective, as well as the sacramental basis of Christian existence
and current issues vis-a-vis the sacraments.
GPAST 650 The Foundations of Christian Ethics
3 credits
A discussion of morality, conscience, law and freedom, sin and metanoia; the biblical foundations
of Christian morality; the life of virtue; the definition of the human person as a moral agent;
the role of the magisterium; selected moral questions.
GPAST 660 Teaching Strategies for Religious Education
3 credits
The study and practice of various methodologies of religious education and the development of
outcomes and assessment tools for religious education curricula.
GPAST 670 Theological Foundations of Ministry
3 credits
An introduction to the theology of ministry, including an examination of its biblical and
historical development and current issues facing pastoral ministers within the Church, as well
as training in the tool of theological reflection.
GPAST 671 Spiritual Foundations of the Christian Life
3 credits
The sources, history, methods and special concerns of Christian spirituality. Among the issues
addressed will be: a contemporary understanding of spirituality; the significance of theology
and psychology for spirituality; the bible within the spiritual tradition; prayer, meditation,
and contemplation; the stages of spiritual development; discernment and spiritual direction;
mysticism and higher spiritual states; spirituality and the ideal of perfection.
GPAST 690-694 Special Topics in Theology
3 credits
Specifically designed seminars focusing on specific topics in systematic and pastoral theology,
biblical studies, or catechetics that are meant to supplement the regular course offerings.
GPAST 791 Practicum
3 credits
GPAST 796 Directed Research Project
3 credits
Courses from Other Programs
See the course descriptions in the Graduate Program in Community Counseling.
GPSY 605 Group Dynamics
3 credits
GPSY 612 Family Therapy
3 credits
GPSY 648 Counseling Strategies and Techniques
3 credits
Top of Page
|
