This site is accessible using any internet enabled device but will look best in a modern graphical browser that supports web standards.

Jump To: Content | Navigation

Graduate Bulletin 1999-2001

LOYOLA INSTITUTE FOR MINISTRY (LIM)

ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITY

The admission process includes:

  1. A formal completed application.
  2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum 2.5 G.P.A. for all degree-seeking students.
  3. Submission of official transcripts from colleges or universities previously attended for all degree-seeking students.
  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.
  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 assistant director.

All materials should be sent directly to the LIM enrollment office two months prior to the start of the student’s first course or semester. (International extension (LIMEX) students 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 City College 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 advisor 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.

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 course work. 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.

l. Upon receipt of course grade transcripts from the Office of Student Records, the associate dean of City College 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.

PASTORAL AND EDUCATIONAL PRAXIS

In this capstone course, students employ the method of practical theology to reflect on their ministerial and educational praxis. Careful analysis of the social circumstances surrounding the identified concerns will be undertaken, as well as an appreciative and critical retrieval of the voice of the faith tradition. Based on that reflection, possible educational and ministerial interventions which meet criteria of pragmatic feasibility and religious faithfulness will be imagined and articulated verbally and in writing for evaluation and feedback. This course is required of all students except those in the pastoral counseling focus area.

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT

Each on-campus student consults with an institute advisor in planning his or her full program of graduate courses. The student should meet each semester with an academic advisor. Extension students are assigned an academic advisor when admitted. LIMEX instructors of record are available for consultation on academic concerns. Both may be contacted via a toll-free telephone number, e-mail, or fax.

TRANSFER CREDIT

On-campus students are allowed to transfer up to six hours of credit for graduate course work 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, no transfer credit is allowed into the LIMEX program.

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 LIMEX program. On campus, one credit hour equals one CEU. 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.

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 students in New Orleans; thus, Extension students are not eligible.

1999-2001 Graduate Bulletin > Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM)

Posted online on October 19, 2001