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M.A. in Pastoral Ministry

Enhance Your Ministry

JCU's M.A. with a Concentration in Pastoral Ministry provides current and prospective lay ministers with a solid foundation in the Catholic theological tradition necessary for a rich and fulfilling ministry in the contemporary U.S. Catholic Church.

Become a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister

This program meets the academic requirements needed to become a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister in the Diocese of Cleveland.

All JCU classes can be taken on campus or online.

  • All graduate programs are available both IN PERSON and FULLY ONLINE.
  • Once-a-week classes meet in the EVENINGS.
  • HY-FLEX model allows students to choose each week to participate on campus or via Zoom.
  • FULL-TIME and PART-TIME pathways.

The Pastoral Ministry Concentration satisfies the intellectual formation requirements needed to become a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister in the Diocese of Cleveland.

  • TRS 5100 Scripture & Revelation
  • TRS 51xx New Testament Topics
  • TRS 5300 Theological Methods
  • TRS 5320 Christ & the Paschal Mystery
  • TRS 5340 Church & Sacrament
  • TRS 5530 Catholic Moral Theology
  • One Course in Non-Christian Religions
  • One Elective in Pastoral Theology or Interreligious Studies
  • Two Electives*

*One of the electives may be a course in Canon Law taught at St. Mary's School of Theology, which is require for diocesan certification.

Applicants to the M.A. Degree Program should submit:

  • Online application form.
  • Transcripts of undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Written statement indicating personal interests, goals, and expectations from the degree program.
  • Two letters of reference from persons who are familiar with and able to assess the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate studies.
Pope Francis on Ministry