Overview
The Master of Arts in Ministry degree program consists of the Certificate in Catholic Theology stacked or paired with another certificate in a specialized area of ministry. A minimum of 36 total credits is required for satisfactory completion of the Master of Arts degree in Ministry, combining two 18 credit certificate programs. Goals for the Master of Arts degree in Ministry include both the attainment of a general knowledge of Catholic Theology, a focused study in a specialized area of ministry, and the application of Theology to their specialized ministerial focus. Successful candidates complete the required coursework, achieving a minimum of a 3.0 GPA each semester and a “B” in each course. This coursework, together with the comprehensive exam, demonstrates the student’s knowledge and ability to integrate principles of Theology into active ministry. The written M.A. comprehensive exam, taken at the end of the final semester of study, measures the candidate’s knowledge of general theological principles and the application of theology to the area of specialized ministry.
Learning Outcomes
• Students will attain academic competency in Catholic theology with a concentration in an area of specialized ministry.
• Students will demonstrate their knowledge of Catholic theology, their knowledge of their area of ministerial specialty, and the synthesis of both through the final comprehensive examination.
• Students will develop the skills needed for critical theological reflection through coursework and discussion of research topics.
• Students will demonstrate theological integration with their specialized ministerial focus through a comprehensive exam.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements are as follows:
• A bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S. or equivalent) from an accredited college indicating an aptitude for advanced study.
• 12 credits in theology, or 12 credits in an area of ministerial specialization.
• The score of a recent Graduate Record Examination, if requested.
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which must be from people who know the academic ability of the applicant, can attest to the applicant’s professional skills and accomplishments, or can attest to ministerial specialization interest of the applicant.
• A personal interview with the IMF Director, if requested.
Required for Completion of the Master of Arts in Ministry
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0, a B grade or better in each course, seminar, and practicum, including certificate coursework completed prior to admissions to the M.A. program.
• Successful completion of the comprehensive exam.
• Completion of all degree requirements and all requirements of the certificates, within ten years after acceptance into the M.A. program. Normally a period of 2-4 years is needed to complete all degree requirements for the Master of Arts Degree.
• These requirements include:
Credit Transfer
A maximum of 9 credits may be transferred toward the M.A. degree from other accredited graduate schools. Transfer credits must have been earned within the previous ten years.
If credits are obtained from another institution, official transcripts documenting the coursework must be submitted to the IMF Director and be approved by the Academic Dean for transfer.
Comprehensive Exam
The M.A. in Ministry degree requires a written comprehensive exam based upon a list of comprehensive exam questions. The comprehensive exam assesses the student’s general knowledge of the Catholic theological tradition, the area of specialization, and the synthesis of both areas relevant to ministry. Exam questions (signed and dated) will be supplied when the student is admitted to the degree program. The comprehensive exam is to be taken at the end of the final semester of study. The date of the exam will be set by the IMF Director. The written exam will consist of eight randomly selected questions from those supplied to the student upon entry into the degree program; the student must answer five—three from the area of specialization, two in Catholic theology.
