LIM Programs

The Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM) offers the following graduate-level degree programs and continuing education certificates. Admissions and program regulations can be viewed on the main LIM Bulletin Page. Detailed curriculum requirements are listed for each program below. 


Academic Programs 

Back to Top 

 

Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) or 
Certificate in Pastoral Studies (CPS)

The Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) is a 36-credit hour degree program. The Certificate in Pastoral Studies (CPS) is a 36 continuing education unit program.

  • Overview of requirements: 36 credit hours (crs) or continuing education units (ceus) required for completion
    • Theological core: 18 crs or ceus
    • Discernment process (non-credit, extension program only)
    • Focus area: 9 crs or ceus
    • Electives: 6 crs or ceus
    • Capstone: 3 crs or ceus 
       
  • Theological Core: MPS and CPS students complete 18 crs of theological core courses. These courses are: 
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology
    • LIM G704 Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics
    • LIM G711 Jewish Roots of Christian Faith (Old Testament)
    • LIM G712 Christian Origins (New Testament)
    • LIM G714 Grace, Christ, and Spirit
    • LIM G722 Church, Sacraments, and Liturgy
  • Focus Area: MPS and CPS students engage in a Discernment Process in order to choose one of the focus areas below, completing the 9 crs or ceus of courses required by that concentration.
    • Christian Spirituality for Ministry
      • LIM G827 Spirituality for Ministers
      • LIM G828 History of Christian Spirituality
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • Digital Culture and Ministry
      • LIM G826 Digital Media and Ministry
      • LIM G885 Religious Communication
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • Marketplace Ministry
      • LIM G819 Spirituality and Theology of Work
      • LIM G820 Ministry in the Marketplace
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • Pastoral Life and Administration
      • LIM G844 Parish Life and Ministry
      • LIM G845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • Religion and Ecology
      • LIM G813 The Universe as Divine Manifestation
      • LIM G814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • Youth and Young Adult Ministry
      • LIM G870 Foundations of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
      • LIM G876 Youth and Young Adults: Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • Small Christian Community Formation
      • LIM G809 Inner Life of Small Christian Communities
      • LIM G810 Public Life of Small Christian Communities
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • Pastoral Care (This focus area is available on a limited basis in the online program.)
      • LIM G849 Intro. to Pastoral Care and Counseling
      • CNSL A830 Counseling Theories
      • CNSL A835 Intro. to Counseling
        • When enrolling in this course through the Loyola Counseling Department, there is a co-requisite that will be completed in addition to the regular credit hour requirements of the MPS degree program: CNSL A836 Individual Counseling Skills Lab (1 cr)
      • LIM G897 Practicum, with a focus on Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Practicum (in lieu of LIM G886 Capstone Course requirement listed below)
    • Individualized Program
      • Two focus area courses (chosen in consultation with advisor)
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
  • Electives: MPS and CPS students complete 6 crs or ceus of electives
    • Normally, two other focus area courses to be selected in consultation with an advisor. 
  • Capstone Course: MPS and CPS students complete a final course of 3 crs. or ceus
    • LIM G886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis

Back to Top 

 

Master of Religious Education (MRE) or 
Certificate in Religious Education (CRE)

The Master of Religious Education (MRE) is a 36-credit hour degree program. The Certificate in Religious Education (CRE) is a 36 continuing education unit program. 

  • Overview of requirements: 36 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Theological core: 18 crs or ceus
    • Discernment process (non-credit, extension program only)
    • Focus area: 9 crs or ceus
    • Electives: 6 crs or ceus
    • Capstone: 3 crs or ceus
       
  • Theological Core: MRE and CRE students complete 18 crs of theological core courses. These courses are: 
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology
    • LIM G704 Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics
    • LIM G711 Jewish Roots of Christian Faith (Old Testament)
    • LIM G712 Christian Origins (New Testament)
    • LIM G714 Grace, Christ, and Spirit
    • LIM G722 Church, Sacraments, and Liturgy
  • Focus Area: MRE and CRE students complete the 9 crs or ceus of courses required by this concentration:
    • LIM G837 Foundations of Religious Education
    • LIM G838 Curriculum Development
    • LIM G839 Religious Education across the Curriculum or LIM G846 Catechetical Leadership 
  • Electives: MRE and CRE students complete 6 crs or ceus of electives
    • Normally, two other focus area courses to be selected in consultation with an advisor. 
  • Capstone Course: MRE and CRE students complete a final course of 3 crs. or ceus
    • LIM G886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis

Back to Top 

Certificate in Catholic Social Teaching, Graduate or Continuing Education

This graduate Certificate in Catholic Social Teaching is a 12-credit hour certificate program. The continuing education Certificate in Catholic Social Teaching is a 12-continuing education unit program.

  • Requirements:
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology
    • LIM G714 Grace, Christ, and Spirit
    • LIM G746 Catholic Social Teaching
    • LIM G886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis

This program is in the process of discontinuation.

Back to Top 

Certificate in Church Management, Graduate

This Graduate Certificate in Church Management is a 15-credit hour certificate program. This certificate is not offered at the continuing education unit (CEU) level.

Students may elect to continue their studies at LIM beyond the 15-credit hours of this certificate program. Credit hours earned for the Certificate in Church Mangement can be applied toward a Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) degree.

  • Requirements:
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology
    • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • MGT B700 Organizational Leadership
    • MGT B705 Strategic Communications
    • Select one:
      • LIM G844 Parish Life and Ministry
      • LIM G845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry

This program is in the process of discontinuation.

Back to Top 

Certificate in Theology and Ministry, Graduate or Continuing Education 

The Graduate Certificate in Theology and Ministry is an 18 credit-hour program. The Continuing Education Certificate in Theology and Ministry is an 18 continuing education units program.

Students may elect to continue their studies at LIM beyond the 18 credit hours or CEUs of this certificate program. Credit hours or CEUs earned for the Certificate in Theology and Ministry program can be applied toward a Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) or a Master of Religious Education (MRE) degree or a Certificate of Pastoral Studies (CPS) or a Certificate of Religious Education (CRE).

  • Overview of requirements: 
    • Theological core: 12 crs or ceus
    • Electives: 6 crs or ceus
       
  • Theological Core
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology (required)
    • Select 3 of the following courses in consultation with an advisor: 
      • LIM G711 Jewish Roots of Christian Faith (Old Testament)
      • LIM G712 Christian Origins (New Testament)
      • LIM G714 Grace, Christ, and Spirit
      • LIM G722 Church, Sacraments, and Liturgy
      • LIM G704 Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics
  • Elective Courses: select 2 from core courses above, focus area courses below, or other electives selected in consultation with an advisor:
    • LIM G809 Inner Life of Small Christian Communities
    • LIM G810 Public Life of Small Christian Communities
    • LIM G813 The Universe as Divine Manifestation
    • LIM G814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story
    • LIM G819 Spirituality and Theology of Work
    • LIM G820 Ministry in the Marketplace
    • LIM G826 Digital Media and Ministry
    • LIM G827 Spirituality for Ministers
    • LIM G828 History of Christian Spirituality
    • LIM G837 Foundations of Religious Education
    • LIM G838 Curriculum Development
    • LIM G839 Religious Education across the Curriculum
    • LIM G846 Catechetical Leadership
    • LIM G844 Parish Life and Ministry
    • LIM G845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry
    • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
    • LIM G870 Foundations of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
    • LIM G876 Youth and Young Adults: Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development
    • LIM G885 Religious Communication

Back to Top

Certificate in Spirituality, Continuing Education 

The Continuing Education Certificate in Spirituality is a 12 continuing education units program.

  • Requirements:
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology
    • Spirituality Courses (select two)
      • LIM G827 Spirituality for Ministers
      • LIM G828 History of Christian Spirituality
      • LIM G856 Topics in Christian Spirituality
    • Elective Course (select one)
      • LIM G704 Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics
      • LIM G711 Jewish Roots of Christian Faith (Old Testament)
      • LIM G712 Christian Origins (New Testament)
      • LIM G714 Grace, Christ, and Spirit
      • LIM G722 Church, Sacraments, and Liturgy
      • LIM G809 Inner Life of Small Christian Communities
      • LIM G810 Public Life of Small Christian Communities
      • LIM G813 The Universe as Divine Manifestation
      • LIM G814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story
      • LIM G819 Spirituality and Theology of Work
      • LIM G820 Ministry in the Marketplace
      • LIM G826 Digital Media and Ministry
      • LIM G827 Spirituality for Ministers
      • LIM G828 History of Christian Spirituality
      • LIM G837 Foundations of Religious Education
      • LIM G838 Curriculum Development
      • LIM G839 Religious Education across the Curriculum
      • LIM G846 Catechetical Leadership
      • LIM G844 Parish Life and Ministry
      • LIM G845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry
      • LIM G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization
      • LIM G870 Foundations of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
      • LIM G876 Youth and Young Adults: Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development
      • LIM G885 Religious Communication
      • LIM G886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis

Back to Top

Certificate in Spiritual Fitness and Resiliency, Continuing Education 

The Continuing Education Certificate in Spiritual Fitness and Resiliency is a 12 continuing education units program.

  • Requirements:
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology
    • LIM G814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story
    • LIM G876  Youth and Young Adults: Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development
    • LIM G794 Religions of World: Spirituality & Practice 

Back to Top

Certificado de Educación Continua en Teología y Ministerio 

El programa LIM está disponible en lugares donde exista una agencia patrocinadora que organice y dirija el programa. Se concederá una Certificado de Educación Continua en Teología Y Ministerio a los estudiantes que hayan completado un total de 18 créditos Unidades de Educación Continua (UEC) de  estudio, en el Instituto para el Ministerio.  No se aceptan transferencias de créditos de otras instituciones. Esta proceso de certificado consiste en 6 cursos teológicos básicos (18 Unidades de Educación Continua, UEC).

  • LIM G703 Introducción a la Teología Práctica
  • LIM G711 Raíces Judías de la Fe Cristiana
  • LIM G712 Orígenes del Cristianismo
  • LIM G714 Gracia, Cristo y Espíritu
  • LIM G722 Iglesia, Sacramentos y Liturgia
  • LIM G704 Espiritualidad, Moralidad y Ética

Back to Top 
 

Dual Degrees

LIM participates in dual degree programs in collaboration with the College of Business, the Department of Counseling, the Department of Criminology & Justice, and the Department of Religious Studies. Detailed information can be found in the Dual Degrees entry of the Graduate Bulletin.

Dual Graduate Programs

Undergraduate to Graduate Partnership

Back to Top 

 

Post-Master's Certificate in Pastoral Studies / 
Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies 

Those who have already earned a master’s degree from LIM, or one of the continuing education certificates that the institute offers (Certificate of Pastoral Studies or Certificate of Religious Education), or a graduate-level degree in theology, pastoral studies, religious education, or a related field from another accredited college or university may pursue an additional professional credential from the institute. Requirements for the advanced-level certificate program consist of four graduate-level courses in two Focus Areas.  

Courses may be taken online. Students taking the courses for graduate credit will earn a Post-Master's Certificate in Pastoral Studies; students taking the courses for continuing education units will earn an Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies. 

  • Overview of requirements: 
    • Focus Area 1 courses: 6 crs or ceus
    • Focus Area 2 courses: 6 crs or ceus
  • Focus Areas: Students choose two of the focus areas below, completing the 6 crs or ceus of courses required by that concentration.
    • Small Christian Community Formation
      • LIM G809 Inner Life of Small Christian Communities
      • LIM G810 Public Life of Small Christian Communities
    • Religion and Ecology
      • LIM G813 The Universe as Divine Manifestation
      • LIM G814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story
    • Marketplace Ministry
      • LIM G819 Spirituality and Theology of Work
      • LIM G820 Ministry in the Marketplace
    • Christian Spirituality for Ministry
      • LIM G827 Spirituality for Ministers
      • LIM G828 History of Christian Spirituality
    • Digital Culture and Ministry
      • LIM G826 Digital Media and Ministry
      • LIM G885 Religious Communication
    • Religious Education (2 of theses options)
      • LIM G837 Foundations of Religious Education
      • LIM G838 Curriculum Development
      • Can only select one of the following:
        • LIM G839 Religious Education across the Curriculum
        • LIM G846 Catechetical Leadership
    • Pastoral Life and Administration
      • LIM G844 Parish Life and Ministry
      • LIM G845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry
    • Youth and Young Adult Ministry
      • LIM G870 Foundations of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
      • LIM G876 Youth and Young Adults: Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development
    • Individualized Track
      • Two or four focus area courses chosen in consultation with advisor

Back to Top

Post-Master's Certificate in Religious Education / Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Religious Education

Those who have already earned a Master of Pastoral Studies degree or a continuing education Certificate in Pastoral Studies from LIM or who hold a graduate-level degree in theology, pastoral studies, religious education, or a related field from another accredited college or university may pursue an additional professional credential from the institute. Requirements for the advanced-level certificate program consist of four graduate-level courses.  

Courses may be taken online. Students taking the courses for graduate credit will earn a Post-Master's Certificate in Religious Education; students taking the courses for continuing education units will earn an Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Religious Education. 

  • Overview of requirements: 
    • Religious Education Core: 9 crs or ceus
    • Elective course: 3 crs or ceus
  • Religious Education Core
    • LIM G837 Foundations of Religious Education (required)
    • LIM G838 Curriculum Development (required)
    • Select one of the following courses: 
      • LIM G839 Religious Education across the Curriculum
      • LIM G846 Catechetical Leadership
  • Elective course (select one) 
    • LIM G703 Introduction to Practical Theology
    • LIM G809 Inner Life of Small Christian Communities
    • LIM G810 Public Life of Small Christian Communities
    • LIM G813 The Universe as Divine Manifestation
    • LIM G814 The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story
    • LIM G819 Spirituality and Theology of Work
    • LIM G820 Ministry in the Marketplace
    • LIM G826 Digital Media and Ministry
    • LIM G827 Spirituality for Ministers
    • LIM G828 History of Christian Spirituality
    • LIM G844 Parish Life and Ministry
    • LIM G845 Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry
    • LIM G870 Foundations of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
    • LIM G876 Youth and Young Adults: Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development
    • LIM G885 Religious Communication

Back to Top