Degree Requirements
Candidates for the BA in Pastoral Ministry will meet all the university’s core requirements for the BA degree. In addition, they will successfully complete a program of thirty-eight credits. It is strongly recommended that Pastoral Ministry graduates demonstrate fluency in oral and written Spanish, either by examination in the Spanish department or through completion of at least Intermediate Spanish II.
The Pastoral Ministry curriculum consists of two principal components. The "Pastoral Foundations of Ministry" component consists of eight courses designed to provide students with deep, rigorous grounding in Catholic spiritual, doctrinal, liturgical and missionary tradition. This includes familiarity with ancient texts and contemporary documents which form the bedrock of pastoral action. Foundations courses are: PAS 1305 (Essentials of Catholic Life and Identity); PAS 2320 (Scripture for Ministry and Worship); PAS 3330 (Liturgical and Sacramental Ministry and Spirituality); PAS 3335 (Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry); PAS 3345 (The Person of the Minister); PAS 3360 (Foundations of Catechetical Ministry); PAS 4370 (Administration for Ministry); THE 3341(Moral Theology). In addition to the eight foundations courses, majors are required to complete six advanced elective credits from among courses in Pastoral Ministry, Business, Education, Human Sciences, Philosophy, Psychology and/or Theology (with prior approval from the program director).
The second major element of the curriculum is the Pastoral Internship sequence. This cluster provides an in-depth look at the theoretical principles and sources of ministry, extends opportunities to put into practice the principles and skills in which students are immersed in the Pastoral Foundations courses. Pastoral Internship courses are PAS 4381, 4382 (Pastoral Ministry Internship I and Pastoral Ministry Internship II: Capstone) plus PAS 4181, 4182 (Pastoral Ministry Internship Seminar I & II).
Capstone Project
The Capstone Project is the culmination of the undergraduate program in Pastoral Ministry and demonstrates the student's ability to integrate theological reflection and pastoral praxis in a concrete setting. As part of the second semester internship the student will develop and carry-out a detailed plan, rooted in ecclesial practice and theological tradition, designed to address a specific pastoral need. Clear norms for evaluation of the project will be established in dialogue with the on-site supervisor and the Field Education Coordinator in the Theology department. At the end of the semester, a summary of the project will be presented publicly by the student to a panel of at least two professors from the Theology department.
Comprehensive Professional Portfolio
In the second half of the final semester, students will prepare and present a comprehensive professional portfolio. This portfolio is designed to represent students’ mastery of knowledge and skills commensurate with a high standard of professional ministerial excellence. Contents include sample presentations, descriptions of ministerial experience, records of successful ministerial projects and other indicators of professional development.
Course Sequence
Year I
Fall Semester
MSP 2311: Spanish is strongly recommended for Pastoral Ministry majors.
Spring Semester
MSP 2312: Spanish is strongly recommended for Pastoral Ministry majors.
Year II (Rome and Irving semesters)
Year III
Fall Semester
| PAS 2320 | Scripture for Ministry & Worship | 3 |
| Or | |
| PAS 3335 | Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry | 3 |
| | |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| PHI 3311 | Philosophy of Being | 3 |
| Science Core | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| PAS 3345 | The Person of the Minister | 3 |
| PAS 3360 | Foundations of Catechetical Ministry | 3 |
| PAS 3330 | Liturgical and Sacramental Ministry and Spirituality | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Science Core w/Lab | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Year IV
Fall Semester
PAS 4381
| | 3 |
PAS 4181
| | 1 |
| THE 3341 | Moral Theology | 3 |
| Adv. Elective | 3 |
| Adv. PAS Elective | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
PAS 4382
| | 3 |
PAS 4182
| | 1 |
PAS 4370
| | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |