Graduate Bulletin 1999-2001

LOYOLA INSTITUTE FOR MINISTRY (LIM)

EXTENSION PROGRAM (LIMEX)
MASTER OF PASTORAL STUDIES OR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

In partnership with a sponsoring diocese 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 for ten of the courses. In these common courses, students engage in ten 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 prospectus as well as a LIMEX 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 and the master of pastoral studies 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 703 Introduction to Practical Theology ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 711 Jewish Roots of Christian Faith ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 712 Christian Origins ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 714 Grace, Christ, and Spirit ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 722 Church, Sacraments, and Ministry ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 704 Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics ... 3 cr. hrs.

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

LIMX 840 The Sociocultural Context of Ministry and Religious Education ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 860 The Personal Context of Ministry and Religious Education ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 861 The Institutional Context of Ministry and Religious Education ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis ... 3 cr. hrs.
Focus Area Courses (6 credit hours)

Master of Religious Education

LIMX 701 Foundations of Religious Education ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 715 Curriculum Development ... 3 cr. hrs.

Master of Pastoral Studies

Small Christian Community Formation (focus area):

LIMX 809 The Inner Life of Small Christian Communities ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 810 The Public Life of Small Christian Communities ... 3 cr. hrs.

Pastoral Life and Administration (focus area):

LIMX 844 Parish Life and Ministry ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry ... 3 cr. hrs.

Religion and Ecology (focus area):

LIMX 813 The Universe as Divine Manifestation ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story ... 3 cr. hrs.

Marketplace Ministry (focus area):

LIMX 819 Spirituality and the Theology of Work ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 820 Ministry in the Marketplace ... 3 cr. hrs.

Christian Spirituality for Pastoral Ministry

LIMX 827 Spirituality for Ministers ... 3 cr. hrs.
LIMX 828 History of Christian Spirituality ... 3 cr. hrs.

LIMEX ATTENDANCE POLICY

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

LIMEX RETENTION STATISTICS

In the 1992 – 93 academic year the average rate of attrition in learning groups was 12%. Students withdraw from the extension program for a number of different reasons, most of which center around lack of time to devote to the academic requirements of the program.

LIMEX 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 an administrative withdrawal will result in the grade of F.

LIMEX 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% refund, less a $50.00 administrative fee;
nonattendance after the fifth session, a 50% refund;
if a physician’s certificate is attached to the cancellation/withdrawal form for nonattendance at any point in the course, a 100% 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 LIMEX graduate students the opportunity to confer with a writing tutor on all phases of the writing process. Students may contact a tutor by calling the LIMEX office.

EXTENSION STUDENTS AND LIBRARY SERVICES

Any LIMEX 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 LIM or LIMEX 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 on-line public access catalog. Any material not held by the University Library may be requested through interlibrary loan.

Additionally, extension students may contact 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. Dial-up access to LUCI, Loyola University 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 LIMEX 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 best gain access to Internet.

LIMEX 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.

Some dioceses and other sponsoring agencies charge a modest administrative fee to help defray administrative costs in the local area. Payment of this fee is not required by nor shared with the institute and in no way affects a student’s academic status in the extension program. However, students are encouraged to pay such a fee to assist in the local operation of the program.

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.

LIMEX LEARNING GROUP DISCIPLINE

A student who engages in behavior which is disruptive to the learning group environment is in violation of the LIMEX Learning Agreement and LIMEX 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 LIMEX policy.

CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDIES IN PASTORAL LIFE AND ADMINISTRATION

The certificate of advanced studies (C.A.S.) program offers advanced-level ministry education courses, readings, and integrating project work of persons currently engaged or soon to be engaged in pastoral ministry leadership roles in local Christian faith communities.

Entrance into the C.A.S. program requires at least one of the following:

An earned master’s degree (or master’s degree candidacy) in pastoral studies, religious studies, religious education, or a closely-related field of study;
A bachelor’s degree plus three or more years of documented ministry leadership experience; or
The ability to do advanced-level readings/study, plus in-depth and documented, practical ministry leadership experience (5 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 course work the student earns a certificate in advanced studies in pastoral life and administration (C.A.S.) from the Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC), a division of the institute that offers continuing education and enrichment courses for pastoral ministers and religious educators.

C.A.S. CERTIFICATE CURRICULUM

Pastoral Life and Ministry
Pastoral Leadership and Organization
Canon Law and Civil Law for the Pastoral Minister
Stewardship and Financial Management in the Local Faith Community
Presiding in Parish Prayer and Worship
Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Life

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