Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM)

DIRECTOR: Thomas Ryan, Ph.D. OFFICE: 200 Stallings

WEB PAGE: www.lim.loyno.edu/

The Loyola Institute for Ministry’s (LIM) programs are designed to enable students to develop an integration of knowledge and practice through an increased awareness and analysis of their ministry contexts. These contexts include their own ministry site, the society and culture within which it is situated, the Jewish-Christian tradition, and their own personal background. The programs address adult practitioners within the actual context of their ministry. The focus of its programs is contextual learning for those already involved in ministry and in possession of the intellectual and cognitive abilities that come through undergraduate studies. The program seeks to broaden students’ information base in pastoral studies and religious education, and to provide a laboratory for their learning and practice of appropriate skills.

The mission of the Institute is to prepare women and men for religious education and ministerial leadership in Catholic and other Christian communities through professional graduate education and through professional continuing education. The Master of Religious Education and the Master of Pastoral Studies degrees are offered in the Institute. A number of continuing education options are also part of Institute programming.

The students, faculty, and staff of the Institute form a learning community and educational resource for professionals and paraprofessionals engaged in or preparing for ministry and religious education, as well as for others who want to address themselves intentionally to their ministry in the world. In fidelity to its mission, the Institute seeks an integration of knowledge of the Christian tradition, a sensitivity to the dynamics of institutional structures, an appreciation for the times and culture within which one works, and a reflection on personal experience.

The mission of LIM is carried out through on-campus and a variety of distance education programs. The Institute has a particular (though not exclusive) mission to areas that do not have benefit of proximate resources for professional graduate education in pastoral studies and religious education.

The Institute offers a master’s degree in religious education (M.R.E.), a master’s degree in pastoral studies (M.P.S.), and a post-master’s certificate in pastoral studies both on campus and through distance education. On-campus (LIMOC) M.P.S. focus areas include small Christian community formation, pastoral care, pastoral life and administration, religion and ecology, African-American ministries, Christian spirituality for pastoral ministry, marketplace ministry, Hispanic ministry, youth ministry, and the opportunity for an individualized program of study. The Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Program focus areas include small Christian community formation, pastoral life and administration, religion and ecology, marketplace ministries, Christian spirituality for pastoral ministry, Hispanic ministry, and youth ministry. Extension students may also do the pastoral care focus area, however they will need to take some of their coursework in New Orleans. The institute also serves the continuing education needs of adults on campus and in extension by offering a Certificate in Religious Education (C.R.E.), a Certificate in Pastoral Studies (C.P.S.), and an Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies.

Admission to University

The admission process includes:

1. A formal completed application. Students may apply online http://www.lim.loyno.edu/admissions.html or send their application by postal service directly to the LIM enrollment office.
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum 2.5 GPA for all degree-seeking students.
3. Submission of official transcripts from colleges or universities previously attended for all degree-seeking students. Transcripts are mailed directly from the academic institution and may not be submitted online.
4. A statement of educational purpose.
5. A résumé of work experience including professional and/or voluntary ministerial responsibilities.
6. Two recommendations (on forms supplied by the institute) attesting to student’s capability for graduate study.
7. $20 nonrefundable application fee. This fee is waived for student who apply online at www.lim.loyno.edu/admissions.html.
8. For extension students, a notification of application form (supplied by Loyola) should be sent directly to the sponsoring agency.
9. For LIM Outreach students, a notification of application form (supplied by Loyola) should be sent directly to the on-campus associate director.

All materials should be submitted online or sent directly to the LIM enrollment office two months prior to the start of the student’s first course or semester. (International extension students not applying online have these materials sent directly to their administrative liaison at their sponsoring agency.) This allows time for transcripts and other supporting documents to reach the LIM enrollment office and subsequently for the admissions committee to come to an admission decision. Late applications are accepted, but such applicants may only be admitted to their first LIM course as transient students.

Admission to Candidacy

The Institute offers courses of instruction leading to the degrees of Master of Religious Education and Master of Pastoral Studies for properly qualified students who have been admitted to degree candidacy.

To apply for candidacy the student must file a formal petition to the Institute’s Graduate Studies Committee on the basis of items listed below. (Extension program students are advanced to candidacy by the graduate studies committee when the following criteria are met.)

1. Not less than 12 credit hours nor more than 15 credit hours in the institute’s graduate courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. For on-campus students, of these hours at least six must consist of core courses, including Introduction to Practical Theology.
2. Students must evidence responsible and competent participation in the learning process.
3. Currently registered for credit at Loyola. Appropriate recommendations will be made by the graduate studies committee to the dean of College of Social Sciences as a result of their review. Degree candidates will be notified and such notification will become part of their permanent records. Students not admitted to candidacy will be informed of their deficiency. Removal of such deficiency under the direction of the student’s adviser must take place upon completion of 15 credit hours. The student must then reapply for degree candidacy.

Course Requirements

The candidate must complete a total of at least 36 credit hours of graduate work including the work earned prior to his or her admission to degree candidacy. A course in which the student has earned a grade of D or F cannot be counted toward the completion of the credit hour requirement, but will be used in determining the student’s grade point average.

The capstone course, Pastoral and Educational Praxis, is required of all students (except those in the pastoral care focus area) for graduation, and is taken at the end of their program. Students, in their final synthesis-praxis paper, give evidence of understanding and competence in the following areas: 1) articulation of the meaning of practical theology; 2) identification and interpretation of their ministry as an expression of practical theology; 3) evidence of critical reflection on their understanding and practice of ministry through an examination and responsiveness to the influence and interplay of multiple contexts of ministry; and 4) an ability to identify, integrate, and act on significant learnings and challenges emerging from engaging the curriculum.

Students in the pastoral care focus area participate in clinical pastoral training or experience, ordinarily arranged through a local CPT or CPE supervisor in a hospital, prison, or other pastoral counseling setting. This praxis experience is the capstone course of the pastoral care focus area. One unit of CPT is the minimum requirement. Students may complete one unit of CPE to fulfill this requirement.

Academic Probation

In order to remain in good standing, a student must earn at least a C in all graduate courses taken and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in Loyola University graduate coursework. A student who earns below a C in a graduate course, or whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, will be placed on academic probation. Students admitted under the conditional status are admitted on academic probation and will be notified of their probationary status in their letter of admission.

A student on probation has nine hours or two semesters (whichever comes first) to remove the academic deficiency. If the deficiency is not removed in the allotted time, the student will be excluded from the program as a graduate student.

1. Upon receipt of course grade transcripts from the Office of Student Records, the Institute will notify students who have been placed on academic probation.
2. Conditionally admitted students, or students on probation who do not remove their academic deficiency in the next term, will receive a second letter notifying them that subsequent academic deficiencies will lead to exclusion from the university as a graduate student.
3. A probationary student who fails to make up his or her academic deficiency in the nine hours or two semesters will be excluded from the university as a graduate student.

Change of Academic Status

Students may change from graduate status in the program to continuing education status by written request. Continuing education students may apply to the LIM enrollment office for graduate status, subject to the standard graduate admissions requirements. Either change of status must occur only between courses or semesters. Students have the option of changing their status only once during their course of study.

Academic Advisement

Each on-campus student consults with an institute adviser in planning his or her full program of graduate courses. The student should meet each semester with his or her academic adviser, a full-time faculty member. Extension students are assigned an academic adviser when admitted. Instructors of record are available for consultation on academic concerns. Both may be contacted via a toll-free telephone number, e-mail, or fax. Extension students are required to participate in a three-session discernment process.

Transfer Credit

On-campus students are allowed to transfer up to six hours of credit for graduate coursework done in theology, religion, religious education, or pastoral ministry studies from an accredited institution. Original transcripts must be presented along with a request to the Graduate Studies Committee. For transfer credit in areas other than those mentioned, it is incumbent upon students to justify a clear and systematic relevance of the work to their LIM degree program. A request must be made to the Graduate Studies Committee, along with a 3 – 5 page rationale. If the transfer is accepted, the learning from the transferred courses is to be integrated into the student’s Pastoral/Educational Praxis course.

Because of the extension program’s unique educational methodology and sequential curriculum format, extension students are allowed to transfer up to six hours of approved graduate coursework only in lieu of focus area courses. The above process for applying for this transfer credit must be followed, with the same obligation to integrate their learning into the pastoral/educational praxis course.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Persons who participate under the continuing education status are persons who have extensive ministry experience, often in diocesan, school, or parish leadership positions, and have the ability to do the graduate-level reading. Some CEU students lack the required bachelor’s degree to enroll for the graduate degree, while others already have graduate credentials and do not wish to earn another graduate degree. Persons who register as CEU students will receive continuing education units as defined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. CEUs are recorded on a Loyola CEU transcript and kept in the permanent records of the university.

Continuing education credit is determined by class attendance, competent participation in the learning group or on-campus course, completion of reading assignments, and other activities necessary for participation in those sessions. Three CEUs are granted for each course in the extension program. On campus, one credit hour equals one CEU. Focus courses require CEU students to submit written responses to reflection questions. All CEU students who complete the extension or on-campus program receive a continuing education certificate in religious education or pastoral studies.

Requirements for Continuing Education Admission

Those who are applying to the institute for admission under the continuing education status are required to complete the institute (graduate) application, pay a nonrefundable application fee, submit a résumé and statement of educational purpose, and supply two recommendations (on forms provided by the institute) from professionals in ministry and/or education (pastor, DRE, etc.) who can attest to the applicant’s involvement in ministry and ability to do graduate-level reading. This ability to engage in graduate-level reading must be evidenced in the application process.Continuing Education (Certificate) students may apply online http://www.lim.loyno.edu/admissions.html or send their application by postal service directly to the LIM enrollment office.

Financial Aid

Because Loyola offers substantial tuition discounts, additional university scholarships and grants are not available. Federal Student Financial Aid is only available to full-time and half-time students in New Orleans; thus, part-time Extension students are not eligible. Other loan options are available. For information, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at (504) 865-3231.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Loyola University Institute for Ministry
Campus Box 67
6363 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
(800) 777-5469 (U.S. and Canada)
0800-896-344 (U.K.)
Fax: (504) 865-2066
Campus Office: Stallings 200
E-mail: LIM@loyno.edu
Website: www.lim/loyno.edu

On-Campus Program (LIMOC), Master of Pastoral Studies (M.P.S.), Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.)

The LIM on-campus master’s degree programs are designed for those laypersons, members of religious orders, and ordained persons who are currently engaged in or are preparing for pastoral or educational ministries and who seek to enhance the quality of their ministry activities through a systematic ministry education. On-campus courses focus on the development of ministers who are critically reflective about themselves, their vision, and their efforts. The LIM on-campus student identifies his or her educational goal for the program and critically reviews the theological assumptions underlying his or her ministerial action. Specific courses may be waived based on a student’s prior academic experience.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for both the Master of Religious Education degree and the Master of Pastoral Studies degree consist of 36 credit hours:

a) The theological core courses (18 credit hours)
b) Focus area courses and capstone course (12 credit hours)
c) Elective courses (6 credit hours) chosen by the student.

Theological core courses| 18 credit hours

LIM C703	Introduction to Practical Theology	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C711	Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C712	Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C714	Grace, Christ, and Spirit	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C722	Church, Sacraments, and Ministry	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C704	Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics .	3 cr. hrs

 Focus Area courses 12 credit hours

Master of Religious Education (MRE)

View required Theological Core Courses

LIM C701	Foundations of Religious Education	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C715	Curriculum Development	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C716	Religious Education Across the Curriculum	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) 

View required Theological Core Courses

Christian Spirituality for Ministry

LIM C827	Spirituality for Ministers	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C828	History of Christian Spirituality	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Pastoral Life and Administration

LIM C844	Parish Life and Ministry	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C845	Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Pastoral Care

LIM C849	Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling	3 cr. hrs.
CNSL A830	Counseling Theories	3 cr. hrs.
CNSL A835	Counseling Practice	3 cr. hrs.
CNSL A836	Individual Counseling Skills Lab	1 cr. hr.
LIM C897	Practicum: Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT)	2 cr. hrs.

Marketplace Ministry

LIM C819	Spirituality and the Theology of Work	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C820	Ministry in the Marketplace	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Religion and Ecology

LIM C813	The Universe as Divine Manifestation 3 cr. hrs.	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C814	The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story 3 cr. hrs.	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Youth Ministry

LIM C870	Foundations of Youth Ministry	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C876	Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Hispanic Ministry

LIM C833	Hispanic Experience of Religion and Culture	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C834	Pastoral Ministry in Hispanic Communities	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

African-American Ministries

LIM C815	African-American Experience in Religion and Culture	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C816	African-American Religious Experience and Black Church History	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C88	6 Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Small Christian Community Formation

LIM C809	Inner Life of Small Christian Communities	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C810	Public Life of Small Christian Communities	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Individualized Program

	Six credits from LIM focus areas/electives in consultation with an academic adviser.	6 cr. hrs
LIM C861	Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
LIM C886	Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Electives                                                                                                            

Six credit hours of elective courses chosen by the student to suit his or her own needs and interests.

Dual Degree Programs

Master of Pastoral Studies (M.P.S.) with focus area in Pastoral Care and Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling

Introduction

The Master of Pastoral Studies degree at LIM with a focus area in pastoral care provides theological and spiritual grounding for pastoral care in a variety of local church contexts and other pastoral settings. The Master of Science in Counseling, through the Department of Counseling at Loyola, provides in-depth education on counseling models and meets all educational requirements for state licensure as a professional counselor.

Students in this program must be admitted separately to the Department of Counseling, as well as the Institute for Ministry. Individually taken, these two degrees would require 84 credits of graduate work. However, the joint degree program allows for certain courses in one master’s program to count as required courses or electives in the other. The total number of credits for the joint degree program is 69 credits—a reduction of 23 graduate credits.

Coursework

A complete listing of coursework required for dual degree studies can be found at www.lim.loyno.edu/oncampus/jointdegree.htm

A Rationale for the Dual Degree Program

Spiritual and religious issues often come up in counseling settings. A thorough grounding in theology and hermeneutics helps the counselor appreciate the religious tradition and spirituality of the client. Pastoral ministers often encounter personal situations, when assisting others, that require well-developed counseling skills. The M.P.S. (with a focus area in pastoral care and counseling) and the M.S. in Counseling taken together offer a breadth and depth of expertise that will enhance both counseling practice and pastoral work. Graduates of the dual degree program who subsequently become licensed as professional counselors are eligible to become certified as professional pastoral counselors by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Tuition

Tuition is charged based on your program. For example, you will be charged the M.P.S. rate for LIM courses and the graduate counseling rate for your counseling courses. 

Master of Pastoral Studies (M.P.S.) with focus area in Pastoral Care and Master of Science (M.C.J.) in Criminal Justice

Introduction

The dual degree program is designed to prepare students for careers in pastoral ministry such as chaplaincy positions within prisons, detention centers, police departments, and other criminal justice institutional structures.  It also provides preparation for careers in the criminal justice system, with special knowledge and skills in promoting rehabilitation and community reintegration, and serving as a liaison between justice institutions and religious organizations and chaplains.

Students in this program must be admitted to both the Department of Criminal Justice, and the Institute for Ministry. Individually taken, these two degrees would require 66 credits of graduate work. However, the dual degree program allows for certain courses in one master’s program to count as required courses or electives in the other. The total number of credits for the dual degree program is 54 credits—a reduction of 12 graduate credits.

Coursework

A complete listing of coursework required for du degree studies can be found at www.lim/loyno.edu/oncampus/jointdegree.htm

A Rationale for the Dual Degree Program

Crime is among the most critical issues facing the United States.  Currently, there are about two and ahalf million people incarcerated in state and federal prisons in the United States, and research demonstrates a dire need for new paradigms for treatment, rehabilitation, and re-entry into society. 

Prison ministry has been a strong tradition and commitment in the Christian tradition (Mt. 25, 31-46), and religious institutions have played prominent roles in the preventioin and control of deliquency and crime, especially in the first half of the 20th century.  Research shows that inmates involved in faith-based programs are significantly less likely to be rearrested during follow-up periods than inmates not involved in such programs. 

Situated in a community with a reputation for its strong religious traditions and identity, and also in a city challenged by its crime and incarceration rates, New Orleans provides great opportunities for collaborations between the criminal justice system and faith-based organizations.

This first-of-its-kind program in the United States hopes to break new ground in bringing religious and spiritual resources to bear on one of the nation’s most complex and serious problems. 

Tuition

Tuition is charged based on your program. For example, you will be charged the M.P.S. rate for LIM courses and the graduate criminal justice rate for your criminal justice courses.

Master of Pastoral Studies (M.P.S.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Introduction

Competent, educated laypeople are being called by churches today to take on leadership roles in the pastoral and administrative life of parishes, dioceses, non-profits, and hospitals. The dual Master of Pastoral Studies and Master of Business Administration draws on the educational synergy between the Joseph A. Butt, S.J. College of Business and the Loyola Institute for Ministry in the College of Social Sciences and strives to educate the whole person from a range of business and theological perspectives so that its graduates, by thinking critically and acting justly, can be of service to individual institutions and to the larger community as a whole.

Coursework

A complete listing of coursework required for this degree can be found at www.lim.loyno.edu/oncampus/jointdegree.html

A Rationale for the Dual Degree Program

The dual Master of Pastoral Studies and Master of Business Administration degree responds to the growing interest among practitioners with an interest in issues of spirituality and faith and the desire for an understanding of sound business practices. It also reflects an important trend among scholars who have created scholarly journals and acdemic conferences in the field. It is designed for current and future religious leaders seeking greater knowledge of business practices and for current and future business leaders seeking a greater understanding of spirituality and the religious search for meaning that underpins all human efforts.

Tuition

Tuition is charged based on your program. For example, you will charged the M.P.S. rate for LIM courses and the graduate business rate for your business courses.

Graduate Certificate in Theology and Ministry

A Graduate Certificate in Theology and Ministry may be awarded to persons who have completed a total of 18 credit hours of graduate study at the Institute for Ministry. Twelve of the 18 hours must be in theological core courses; six elective credits complete the certificate. Transfer credits from other institutions are not accepted. Upon completion of 12 hours, graduate certificate students must apply for the certificate or apply for candidacy in a LIM master’s degree program; the 12 credits already earned will then be applied to a candidate’s work toward a Master of Religious Education or Master of Pastoral Studies degree.

Advanced-level certificates

The Institute for Ministry offers two, advanced-level professional credentials for those who qualify for admission to these programs.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies

A Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies is available to those who have already earned a master’s degree from LIM or an appropriate graduate-level degree from another accredited college or university. This program consists of 12 graduate credit hours of study through the completion of two LIM focus areas. Transfer credits from other educational institutions are not accepted.

Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies (12 credits)

Those who have already earned a master’s degree from LIM, one of the continuing education certificates that the institute offers (Certificate of Pastoral Studies or Certificate of Religious Education) or an appropriate graduate degree from another accredited college or university—may choose to seek an additional professional, continuing education-credit credential from the Institute called the Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies. This program consists of 12 hours of specialized, continuing education (CEU credits) study through the completion of two LIM focus areas. Transfer credits from other educational institutions are not accepted.

On-campus Summer Program

In addition to year-round evening/weekend courses in the on-campus program, LIM offers an intensive four-week summer program on campus which includes weekend, one- and two-week courses that provide the student with multiple course options along with community building, shared prayer, and social activities. A master’s degree program can usually be completed in four summers, except for the pastoral care and African-American ministries focus area courses which are only offered in fall and spring semesters. These must be completed in a year-round format.

Outreach Program

Because of the geography and size of the greater New Orleans area, the Institute for Ministry offers the LIM Outreach format as an option for students at a variety of off-campus locations.

Students form intentional learning communities of six to 15 persons and complete the theological core courses, consisting of 18 credit hours of the program, in their own location through the LIM extension program format. Students then complete their remaining 18 credit hours of focus area and elective courses on campus (some of which may be taken through LIM online http://lim.loyno.edu/online/), drawing from the rich array of course offerings presented by Loyola faculty and visiting scholars who are known internationally for their work in theology, ministry, and religious education. The delivery format thus combines the advantages of local study and the community-building strength of the extension program with the teaching excellence of internationally known faculty offered on campus.

On-campus and Outreach Tuition

All LIM graduate credit students receive a reduced tuition rate because of the Jesuit commitment to ministry education.

Loyola Institute for Ministry | Extension Program | Master of Pastoral Studies or Religious Education

In partnership with a sponsoring diocese, parish, or other religious institution, Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM) offers its degree and certificate programs by extension. Students meet in learning groups led by a Loyola-certified facilitator under the direction of Loyola faculty for 10 of the courses. In these common courses, students engage in 10 three-hour sessions that involve discussion of printed lectures and other assigned readings, videotaped input by nationally known scholars, and other educational interactions. Students also choose two additional courses in a focus area from a variety of available options. These courses are taken in a semi-independent study format. The program is designed to provide in-depth information and reflection on the theory and skills appropriate to ministry and religious education in a variety of settings. A complete program prospectus is available at http://lim.loyno.edu/extension/prospectus.html, and a Policy Manual on the extension program can be obtained from the Institute’s office.

Extension program curriculum

The requirements for both the master of religious education degree and the master of pastoral studies degree consist of 36 credit hours:

• the theological core course (18 credit hours)
• the context of ministry courses and the capstone course (12 credit hours)
• focus areas chosen by the student (6 credit hours).

Theological Core Courses (18 credit hours)

LIMX G703	Introduction to Practical Theology	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G711	Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G712	Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G714	Grace, Christ, and Spirit	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G722	Church, Sacraments, and Ministry	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G704	Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics	3 cr. hrs.

Context of Ministry Courses and Capstone Courses (12 credit hours)

	LIMX G840 Faith and Culture	3 cr. hrs.
	LIMX G860 Faith Development and Spirituality	3 cr. hrs.
	LIMX G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization	3 cr. hrs.
	LIMX G886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis	3 cr. hrs.

Focus Area Courses (6 credit hours) (The first focus course is a prerequisite to the second course of a focus area.)

Master of Religious Education

LIMX G701	Foundations of Religious Education	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G715	Curriculum Development	3 cr. hrs.

Master of Pastoral Studies

Christian Spirituality for Ministry (focus area):

LIMX G827	Spirituality for Ministers	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G828	History of Christian Spirituality	3 cr. hrs.

 

Pastoral Life and Administration (focus area):

LIMX G844	Parish Life and Ministry	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G845	Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry	3 cr. hrs.

Youth Ministry (focus area):

	LIMX G870 Foundations of Youth Ministry	3 cr. hrs.
	LIMX G876 Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development	3 cr. hrs.

Hispanic Ministry (focus area):

LIMX G833	Hispanic Experience of Religion and Culture	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G834	Pastoral Ministry in Hispanic Communities	3 cr. hrs.

Religion and Ecology (focus area):

LIMX G813	The Universe as Divine Manifestation	3 cr. hrs.
LIMX G814	The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story	3 cr. hrs.

Marketplace Ministry (focus area):

	LIMX G819 Spirituality and the Theology of Work 3 cr. hrs.
	LIMX G820 Ministry in the Marketplace 3 cr. hrs.

Small Christian Community Formation (focus area):

Pastoral Care Focus Area Options for Extension Students

Extension students considering the Pastoral Care focus area need to assess their ability to complete the four required courses. Extension students who choose this focus area need to be able to complete the equivalent of the two required counseling courses (Counseling Theories and Counseling Practice) from an accredited graduate program in their local area, if on-campus work is not possible for them during a regular fall semester at Loyola University New Orleans. Students also need to come on-campus for a two-week summer session to complete the Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling course. The fourth course in this focus area requires one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education from an accredited site .Available accredited sites for CPE may be found on the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education web site: <www.acpe.edu/directories.htm>.

Extension students choosing this focus area complete their program as on-campus students, and, consequently, will not finish the program with their learning group. Normally, they will complete with their learning group the six theological core courses, and two context of ministry courses: Faith and Culture and Faith Development and Spirituality. This focus area choice may not be feasible for all extension students or be available in all extension locations.

Attendance Policy

Attendance in the extension program is compulsory. Each course meets at least 10 times to carry out a three-hour learning design provided by the institute. In the event of illness or emergency, a student who misses three sessions may make these sessions up and remain in the course. Any request for a waiver of this policy must be put in writing.

Withdrawal From Courses

The administrative withdrawal period ends with the fifth session of the course. Through this time, students may withdraw from a course and receive a W in the course. After the fifth session, a student may withdraw from the course and receive a WP in the course. Failure to obtain a withdrawal will result in the grade of F.

Refund Policy

Students who cancel or withdraw from a course are in some cases entitled to a percentage refund of their tuition. Those who cancel or withdraw must do so by completing an official cancellation/withdrawal form found in their policy manuals.

Mere cessation of attendance does not constitute official withdrawal. The date and circumstances of official withdrawal will determine the amount of tuition refund. No refunds are made when a student is suspended or dismissed for academic, disciplinary, or financial reasons. Tuition refunds are made on the following schedule:

• nonattendance at the first session, a 100-percent refund, less a $50 administrative fee;
• nonattendance after the fifth session, a 50-percent refund;
• if a physician’s certificate is attached to the cancellation/withdrawal form for nonattendance at any point in the course, a 100-percent refund.

Writing Assistance

Assistance with writing assignments for courses in the graduate program is offered in conjunction with Loyola’s Writing Across the Curriculum center. This gives graduate students the opportunity to confer with a writing tutor on all phases of the writing process. Students may contact a writing consultant by calling the LIM office or e-mailing the consultant at limwrite@loyno.edu.

Disability Services

Extension students with learning, physical or other disabilities may contact the Director of Disability Services at Loyola for information on the services and accommodations which are available. Students may call the LIM office and ask to be transferred to the Office of Disability Services or ask to speak to the Associate Director (Administrative Services) who works directly with the Office of Disability Services on LIM issues. Students may also write directly to the Director of Disability Services at the following address: Loyola University New Orleans, Campus Box 41, 6363 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 or e-mail the director at ssmith@loyno.edu. All contacts and information provided are confidential. In order to receive any reasonable special services or accommodations, students will be asked to provided documentation of the learning or physical disability. Copies of the university policy are available from the Office of Disability Services.

Extension Students and Library Services

Any extension student may come to Loyola University and use the catalogs, print and electronic indexes, and all other materials available for use by Loyola students. Borrowing privileges are the same for all students, and the circulation desk will issue bar codes for any students wishing to borrow materials from Loyola’s libraries. Extension students with Internet access may log on to the library’s web page and link onto the library’s online public access catalog. Any articles not held by the university library may be requested through interlibrary loan.

Additionally, extension students may contact  by phone 504-864-7152 or 504-864-7138 or toll-free in the U.S. and Canada 877-614-0633; by fax 504-864-7142; or by email distlib@loyno.edu the Loyola University distance education librarian and request to have mediated searches of automated databases performed for them, but in some cases they will be billed for the search, just as all other students would be so charged. Other services of the extension librarian include searching the Loyola library for books and journals. Internet access to the Loyola University Library Catalog Information is available to extension students if they have access to a personal computer and a modem.

The practicalities involved in obtaining books when the student needs them through the mail often make it difficult to use the campus library. It is for this reason that the Extension Program requires that a professional library be established locally for extension students which must include, but is not limited to, the books on the Common Curriculum bibliographies.

Sponsoring agencies also agree to provide access for students to college, public, and theological libraries in their area. These local libraries enhance student access to a great variety of additional resource materials. It is through these local libraries that extension students may gain access to the Internet.

Tuition and Fees

All extension students are assessed tuition and fees on a per course basis. Tuition and fee schedules are available from the LIM office. Because of the uncertainty of the economy and university budgetary projections, the institute reserves the right to change tuition, fees, or other charges.

Extension program students are exempt from most university fees, such as student government and university center fees. There are, however, some fees charged for returned checks and processing late papers. Graduate students are also subject to the university graduation fee mentioned earlier in this bulletin.

Some diocese and other sponsoring agencies charge an administrative fee to help defray administrative costs in the local area.

The institute does not have a monthly tuition payment plan. Tuition and fees are paid in full at registration which should occur at least five weeks prior to the first session of the course. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.

Learning Group Discipline

A student who engages in behavior which is disruptive to the learning group environment is in violation of the Learning Group Agreement and Loyola Policy. Such conduct may cause removal from that learning group and can result in removal from the course with a grade of W. A second such disruption may result in suspension or dismissal from the university. The student has the right to appeal the decision in accord with Loyola policy.

The Loyola Pastoral Life Center

The Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC) is a continuing education division within the Loyola Institute for Ministry. The mission and programs of the Loyola Pastoral Life Center flow directly from the mission and work of the institute. The specific mission of the LPLC is to provide continuing education opportunities, ministry studies programs, and spiritual enrichment for women and men involved in various leadership aspects of the church’s life and ministries. This is done through seminars, training programs, consultations, resourcing, and networking opportunities for emerging pastoral issues. The Loyola Pastoral Life Center plans its activities in collaboration with and response to the needs of national organizations, diocesan pastoral offices, and ministry leaders in local churches. In doing its work, the LPLC remains particularly attentive to the multicultural and ecumenical dimensions of the church in the United States, to smaller rural and Christian home mission diocese, and to local church communities with new and emerging forms of lay pastoral leadership. Through these activities, LPLC furthers the mission of the church community to promote the reign of God and the primary purpose of LIM: to educate persons for leadership in Christian ministries.

Specialized Certificate in Pastoral Life and Administration (On Campus or Extension)

The specialized certificate program offers specialty-level ministry education courses, readings, and integrating project work for persons currently engaged or soon to be engaged in pastoral ministry leadership roles in local Christian faith communities.

Entrance into the program requires one of the following:

1. An earned master’s degree (or master’s degree candidacy) in pastoral studies, religious
   studies, religious education, or a closely-related field of study;
2. A Certificate in Pastoral Studies (C.P.S.) or Certificate in Religious Education (C.R.E.) from Loyola University New Orleans;
3. A bachelor’s degree plus three or more years of documented ministry leadership
   experience; or
4. The ability to do advanced-level readings/study, plus in-depth and documented,
   practical ministry leadership experience (five years or more).

This certificate program consists of six courses. Each course earns two CEUs. On-campus students who qualify may also take the courses for graduate credit. Upon successful completion of all coursework, the student earns a Specialized Certificate in Pastoral Life and Administration from the Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC).

This program is available either at an extension site or at the New Orleans campus during the summer session.  Students opting for on-campus study can complete their program in three years of two-week sessions. 

Specialized Certificate Curriculum

• The Dynamic Parish Today
• Effective Leadership and Pastoral Administration
• Canon Law and Civil Law for the Pastoral Minister
• Stewardship and Financial Management in the Local Faith Community
• Presiding Skills in Parish Prayer and Worship
• Cultural Diversity and Parish Ministry

Specialized Certificate in Christian Spirituality (Extension)

The Specialized Certificate in Christian Spirituality program offers specialty-level continuing education courses, readings, and integrating project work for leaders who are currently engaged in many types of spiritual-development work within a wide variety of local contexts—church parishes, private schools, retreat centers, service centers, and other institutions and organizations.
Entrance into the program requires one of the following:

1. An earned master’s degree (or master’s degree candidacy) in pastoral studies, theology,religious studies, religious education, divinity, or a closely-related field;
2. A Certificate in Pastoral Studies (C.P.S.) or Certificate in Religious Education (C.R.E.) from Loyola University New Orleans;
3. A bachelor’s degree plus three or more years of documented ministry leadership
   experience; or
4. No academic degree, but has the ability to do advanced-level readings/study, plus five
   years or more of documented ministry leadership experience.

This certificate program consists of six courses. Each course earns two CEUs. Upon successful completion of all coursework, the student earns a Specialized Certificate in Christian Spirituality from the Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC).

Specialized Certificate Curriculum

• Christian Spirituality Through the Ages
• Spirituality, Prayer, and Everyday Life
• Discernment Skills for Christian Life and Ministry
• Spiritual Companionship: Methods and Approaches
• Spirituality, Discipleship, and Justice
• Emerging Forms of Christian Spirituality 

Specialized Certificate in Catechetical Leadership (Extension)

The Specialized Certificate in Catechetical Leadership program offers specialty-level continuing education courses, readings, and integrating project work for leaders who are currently engaged in many types of catechetical work within a wide variety of ministries – pastors, pastoral associates, and deacons; parish catechetical leaders, directors and coordinators of religious education and faith formation; school administrators, campus ministers, and religion department heads; RCIA and small faith community coordinators; religious community members; and experienced volunteers in leadership roles in catechesis. 

Entrance into the program requires one of the following:

1. An earned master’s degree (or master’s degree candidacy) in pastoral studies, theology, religious studies, religious education, divinity, or a closely-related field;

2. A Certificate in Pastoral Studies (C.P.S.) or Certificate in Religious Education (C.R.E.)  from Loyola University New Orleans;

3. A bachelor’s degree plus three or more years of documented ministry leadership
   experience; or

4. No academic degree, but has the ability to do advanced-level readings/study, plus five years or more of documented ministry leadership experience.

This certificate program consists of six courses. Each course earns two CEUs. Upon successful completion of all coursework, the student earns a Specialized Certificate in Catechetical Leadership from the Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC).

Specialized Certificate Curriculum

• Foundations of Catechetical Ministry
• Catechesis for a Worshipping Community
• Developing and Managing Catechetical Programs
• Essential Skills for Catechetical Leaders
• Catechetical Methods and Approaches
• One of the following:

• Cultural Diversity and Catechesis
• Catechesis for Justice and Social Transformation
• Canon Law and Civil Law for Catechetical Leaders

 

LOYOLA INSTITUTE FOR MINISTRY GRADUATE COURSES