Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry

The M.A. 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 supervised practicum, including a field placement in their area of ministerial focus and a capstone ministerial portfolio.

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NEW in Fall 2013: Two courses will be offered in a hybrid online format:

Theo 579-61 Catechesis of Adults/Leadership in the Faith Community (3 credits)
Josephine Crame, Ed.D.

Theo 539-01 Theology of Ministry (3 credits)
Maureen R. O'Brien, Ph.D.

Students may enroll in either of the following modes:

• Hybrid face-to-face and online: Students will meet on alternating Tuesdays and complete course assignments through the university's educational technology platform, Blackboard. All class sessions will be recorded and available for later video viewing through Blackboard.

OR

• Online: Students may enroll from any location, view the recorded class sessions through Blackboard, and complete assignments online from their own computers. No on-campus visits are necessary. Hybrid face-to-face and online students will communicate with one another and instructors through Blackboard discussion boards, email, live conferencing and other tools.

View a sample class video

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Program of Studies

M.A. in Pastoral Ministry (30 credits plus practicum and portfolio): Students who follow a course rotation as shown below, taking two courses per semester plus completing the practicum and portfolio, can complete the M.A. within 3 years. Others may enroll on a part-time basis, taking one or two courses per semester and completing the program in 5-6 years.

Students may begin studies in Year A, B or C. A minimum of 12 credits must be completed before enrolling in the practicum.

Credit total: 30 credits are required for the degree, earned through completion of 10 courses at 3 credits each. The practicum and portfolio are non-credit requirements; for guidelines, contact ministry@duq.edu.
Courses are offered on the following schedule on Tuesdays each semester, with the first course at 1:30-4:00 P.M. and the second course at 6:00-8:40 P.M. For course descriptions, click here.

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

• Substitute an approved course in Health Care Ethics for Theol 595, Leadership in the Faith Community
• Substitute 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at an accredited center for the practicum

 Dual M.A. in Pastoral Ministry/ M.A. in Communication: Students who wish to combine studies in pastoral ministry with communication may enroll in the dual M.A. Students must apply concurrently to each sponsoring department to be considered for the dual M.A. 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 (18 credits plus practicum and portfolio): 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 6 courses among those offered, including Theol 539, Theology of Ministry, plus the practicum and portfolio.

Graduate Certificate in Health Care Ministry (18 credits plus 2 CPE units and portfolio): 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 an approved course in Health Care Ethics, Theol 539 (Theology of Ministry), 4 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

Partial Tuition Discounts
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 Aspiring Lay Ministers with Diocesan Sponsorship
Students who plan to seek employment in parish ministry in the Diocese of Pittsburgh may apply for a 50% tuition discount from Duquesne University as well as additional diocesan and parish sponsorship. For more information, contact Office for Lay Ministries, phone 412-456-3110. Students from other dioceses seeking this sponsored discount should contact the Duquesne University Department of Theology for more information: ministry@duq.edu.

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

• 50% Discount for Students over age 60.

Additional Information

For information on the M.A. in Pastoral Ministry, please contact

Dr. Maureen O'Brien, Director of Pastoral Ministry Programs
Fisher Hall 610
412.396.6528
obrien@duq.edu