Program Requirements
Hours: 36 hours
The Design of the Graduate Program
The Master of Arts in Religious Studies degree with a concentration in spiritual and pastoral care is earned through successful completion of 36 semester hours of graduate credit, and a comprehensive examination. The program is built upon four components:
- Spiritual and Pastoral Care in Systems (18 credit hours)
- Theology Core Courses (12 credit hours)
- Pastoral Praxis Component (3 credit hours)
- Integrating Project (3 credit hours).
Spiritual and Pastoral Care in Systems Core - 18 hours
RPS 500Theology of Ministry and Pastoral Care (3)
RPS 502Family & Community Systems (3)
RPS 508Theology of Community and Leadership (3)
RPS 510Socio-Ecological Dimensions of Pastoral Care (3)
RPS 527Faith, Crisis and Adult Development (3)
RPS 560Pastoral Care & Counseling (3)
Theology Core - 12 hours
RPS 501Biblical Themes in Spiritual and Pastoral Care (3)
RPS 503Critical Issues in Systematic Theology: God, Jesus, Church, Sacrament (3)
RPS 506Spirituality & Wellness (3)
RPS 542Critical Issues in Ethics (3)
Pastoral Praxis Component - 3 hours
RPS 512Pastoral Practicum (3-6)
or
RPS 590-595 Theology & Anthropology Immersion Course (3)
Integrating Project - 3 hours
Fall Semester
RPS 575Integrating Project (3)
Admission Requirements
Individuals applying for admission to the graduate program in religious studies must submit the following:
- A completed application form.
- A non-refundable application fee.
- An official undergraduate transcript with a baccalaureate degree noted from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 sent directly from the undergraduate institution(s) to the Office of Graduate Admission, College of Mount St. Joseph, 5701 Delhi Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45233.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional colleagues.
- A short (5-page) essay explaining the purpose for application and goals in pastoral ministry.
- An interview with the Graduate Admission Committee.