DIRECTOR: Thomas Ryan, Ph.D. OFFICE: 200 Stallings 


WEB PAGE: http://lim.loyno.edu
The Loyola Institute for Ministry’s (LIM) programs are designed to enable students to develop an integration of knowledge and practice through an increased awareness and analysis of their ministry contexts. These contexts include their own ministry site, the society and culture within which it is situated, the Jewish-Christian tradition, and their own personal background. The programs address the needs of adult practitioners within the actual context of their ministry and provides a formation for those new to the fields of pastoral ministry and religious education.
The focus of its programs is contextual learning for those already involved in ministry and in possession of the intellectual and cognitive abilities that come through undergraduate studies. The program seeks to broaden students’ information base in pastoral studies and religious education, and to provide a laboratory for their learning and practice of appropriate skills.
The mission of the Institute is to prepare women and men for religious education and ministerial leadership in Catholic and other Christian communities through professional graduate education and through professional continuing education. The Master of Religious Education and the Master of Pastoral Studies degrees are offered in the Institute. A number of continuing education options are also part of Institute programming.
The students, faculty, and staff of the Institute form a learning community and educational resource for professionals and paraprofessionals engaged in or preparing for ministry and religious education, as well as for others who want to address themselves intentionally to their ministry in the world. In fidelity to its mission, the Institute seeks an integration of knowledge of the Christian tradition, a sensitivity to the dynamics of institutional structures, an appreciation for the times and culture within which one works, and a reflection on personal experience.
The mission of LIM is carried out through its on-campus and distance education programs. The Institute has a particular (though not exclusive) mission to areas that do not have benefit of proximate resources for professional graduate education in pastoral studies and religious education.
The Institute offers a master’s degree in religious education (M.R.E.), a master’s degree in pastoral studies (M.P.S.), and a post-master’s certificate in pastoral studies in three formats, (1) on campus, (2) online, and (3) at extension sites in cooperation with a local sponsoring agency. M.P.S. focus areas include small Christian community formation, pastoral care, pastoral life and administration, religion and ecology, Christian spirituality for ministry, marketplace ministry, Hispanic ministry, and youth ministry. Online and. extension students may do the pastoral care focus area, however they will need to take some of their coursework in New Orleans. The opportunity for an individualized program is available to students in consultation with their advisors. .The institute also serves the continuing education needs of adults by offering a Certificate in Religious Education (C.R.E.), a Certificate in Pastoral Studies (C.P.S.), and an Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies.
The admission requirements include:
The Institute offers courses of instruction leading to the degrees of Master of Religious Education and Master of Pastoral Studies for properly qualified students who have been admitted to degree candidacy. To apply for candidacy the student must file a formal petition to the Institute’s Graduate Studies Committee on the basis of items listed below. (Extension program students complete the petition as part of the discernment process after the fifth course in the program.)
The candidate must complete a total of at least 36 credit hours of graduate work including the work earned prior to his or her admission to degree candidacy. A course in which the student has earned a grade of less than a C cannot be counted toward the completion of the credit hour requirement, but will be used in determining the student’s grade point average.
The capstone course, Pastoral and Educational Praxis, is required of all students (except those in the pastoral care focus area) for graduation, and is taken at the end of their program. Students, in their final synthesis-praxis paper, give evidence of understanding and competence in the following areas: 1) articulation of the meaning of practical theology; 2) identification and interpretation of their ministry as an expression of practical theology; 3) evidence of critical reflection on their understanding and practice of ministry through an examination and responsiveness to the influence and interplay of multiple contexts of ministry; and 4) an ability to identify, integrate, and act on significant learnings and challenges emerging from engaging the curriculum.
Students in the pastoral care focus area participate in clinical pastoral training or experience, ordinarily arranged through a local CPT or CPE supervisor in a hospital, prison, or other pastoral counseling setting. This praxis experience is the capstone course of the pastoral care focus area. One unit of CPT is the minimum requirement. Students may complete one unit of CPE to fulfill this requirement.
In order to remain in good standing, a student must earn at least a C in all graduate courses taken and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in Loyola University graduate coursework. A student who earns below a C in a graduate course, or whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, will be placed on academic probation. Students admitted under the conditional status are admitted on academic probation and will be notified of their probationary status in their letter of admission.
A student on probation has nine hours or two semesters (whichever comes first) to remove the academic deficiency. If the deficiency is not removed in the allotted time, the student will be excluded from the program as a graduate student.
Students may change from graduate status in the program to continuing education status by written request. Continuing education students may apply to the LIM admissions office for graduate status, subject to the standard graduate admissions requirements. Either change of status must occur only between courses or semesters. Students have the option of changing their status only once during their course of study.
Academic Advisement
Upon admission, all LIM degree students are assigned an academic advisor, who is a full-time faculty member.
On-campus students consult with an academic advisor in planning his or her full program of graduate courses. The student should meet each semester with his or her advisor,
Extension students may contact their academic advisor at any time. Instructors of record are also available for consultation on academic concerns. Both may be contacted via a toll-free telephone number, e-mail, or fax. Extension students are required to participate in a three-session discernment process before selecting a focus area.
Online students may contact their academic advisor at any time via e-mail and LIM’s 800 telephone numbers and for consultation on unique academic concerns. Because online students are often working full time, and live at a distance or in various time zones, they are encouraged to email their academic advisors and when possible set up individual phone and/or video conferences with their advisors.
On-campus and online students in accord with the university’s graduate transfer credit policy (outlined below) are allowed to transfer between six and nine hours of credit for graduate coursework done in theology, religion, religious education, or pastoral ministry studies from an accredited institution. Because of the extension program’s unique educational methodology and sequential curriculum format, extension students are allowed to transfer only up to six hours of approved graduate coursework in lieu of focus area courses.
Transfer of Graduate Academic Credit For Students Without A Graduate Degree
On-campus and online students who have earned academic credit at another accredited college or university (including Loyola University New Orleans) may be allowed to transfer a maximum of six (6) credit hours with a minimum grade of 'B' and with the approval of the departmental chair and/or dean of the college. Transfer credit will be awarded only as earned hours. Transfer of credits earned more than five years prior to enrollment will ordinarily not be considered.
Transfer of Graduate Academic Credit For Students With A Graduate Degree
Students who have earned academic credit at another accredited college or university (including Loyola University New Orleans) may be allowed to transfer a maximum of nine (9) credit hours with a minimum grade of 'B' and with the approval of the departmental chair and/or dean of the college. Each degree program has certain restrictions concerning acceptance of courses completed at other institutions. Transfer credit will be awarded only as earned hours. Transfer of credits earned more than five years prior to enrollment will ordinarily not be considered.
Transfer students will be informed of the amount of credit which will transfer prior to their enrollment, if possible, but at the latest, prior to the end of the first academic term in which they are enrolled.
In any case of a transfer, original transcripts must be presented along with a request to the Graduate Studies Committee. For transfer credit in areas other than those mentioned, it is incumbent upon students to justify a clear and systematic relevance of the work to their LIM degree program. A request must be made to the Graduate Studies Committee, along with a 3 – 5 page rationale. If the transfer is accepted, the learning from the transferred courses is to be integrated into the student’s Pastoral/Educational Praxis course.
Persons who participate under the continuing education status are persons who have extensive ministry experience, often in diocesan, school, or parish leadership positions, and have the ability to do the graduate-level reading. Some CEU students lack the required bachelor’s degree to enroll for the graduate degree, while others already have graduate credentials and do not wish to earn another graduate degree. Persons who register as CEU students will receive continuing education units as defined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. CEUs are recorded on a Loyola CEU transcript and kept in the permanent records of the university.
Continuing education credit is determined by class attendance, competent participation in the learning group or on-campus course, completion of reading assignments, and other activities necessary for participation in those sessions. Three CEUs are granted for each course in the extension program. On campus, one credit hour equals one CEU. Focus courses require CEU students to submit written responses to reflection questions. All CEU students who complete the extension or on-campus program receive a continuing education certificate in religious education or pastoral studies.
Those who are applying to the institute for admission under the continuing education status are required to complete the institute (graduate) application, pay a nonrefundable application fee, submit a résumé and statement of educational purpose, and supply two recommendations (on forms provided by the institute) from professionals in ministry and/or education (pastor, DRE, etc.) who can attest to the applicant’s involvement in ministry and ability to do graduate-level reading. This ability to engage in graduate-level reading must be evidenced in the application process. Continuing Education (Certificate) students may apply online or send their application by postal service directly to the LIM admissions office.
Because Loyola offers substantial tuition discounts to LIM students, additional university scholarships and grants are not available. Federal Student Financial Aid Programs are only available to full-time and half-time students. Half-time is defined as five or more credits in a given semester. Part-time Extension students are not eligible for these federal programs. For information, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at (504) 865-3231 (504) 865-3231 .
Programs of Study
The LIM on-campus master’s degree programs are designed for those laypersons, members of religious orders, and ordained persons who are currently engaged in or are preparing for pastoral or educational ministries and who seek to enhance the quality of their ministry activities through a systematic ministry education. On-campus courses focus on the development of ministers who are critically reflective about themselves, their vision, and their efforts. The LIM on-campus student identifies his or her educational goal for the program and critically reviews the theological assumptions underlying his or her ministerial action.
The requirements for both the Master of Religious Education degree and the Master of Pastoral Studies degree consist of 36 credits hours:
| LIM C703 | Introduction to Practical Theology | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C711 | Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C712 | Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C714 | Grace, Christ, and Spirit | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C722 | Church, Sacraments, and Ministry | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C704 | Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics . | 3 cr. hrs |
View required Theological Core Courses
| LIM C701 | Foundations of Religious Education | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C715 | Curriculum Development | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C716 | Religious Education Across the Curriculum | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
View required Theological Core Courses
Christian Spirituality for Ministry
| LIM C827 | Spirituality for Ministers | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C828 | History of Christian Spirituality | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Pastoral Life and Administration
| LIM C844 | Parish Life and Ministry | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C845 | Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Pastoral Care
| LIM C849 | Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM A830 | Counseling Theories | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM A835 | Counseling Practices | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM A836 | Individual Counseling Skills Lab | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C897 | Practicum: Clinical Pastoral Training | 3 cr. hrs. |
Marketplace Ministry
| LIM C819 | Spirituality and the Theology of Work | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C820 | Ministry in the Marketplace | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Religion Ecology
| LIM C813 | The Universe as Divine Manifestation | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C814 | The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Youth Ministry
| LIM C870 | Foundations of Youth Ministry | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C876 | Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM 886 | Pastoral Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Hispanic Ministry
| LIM C833 | Hispanic Experience of Religion and Culture | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C834 | Pastoral Ministry in Hispanic Communities | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Small Christian Community Formation
| LIM C809 | Inner Life of Small Christian Communities | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C810 | Public Life of Small Christian Communities | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Individualized Program
Six credits from LIM focus areas/electives in consultation with an academic adviser.
| LIM C861 | Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C886 | Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Six credit hours of elective courses chosen by the student to suit his or her own needs and interests.
Tuition is charged based on your program. For example, you will charged the M.P.S. rate for LIM courses and the graduate business rate for your business courses.
The Master of Pastoral Studies degree at LIM with a focus area in pastoral care provides theological and spiritual grounding for pastoral care in a variety of local church contexts and other pastoral settings. The Master of Science in Counseling, through the Department of Counseling at Loyola, provides in-depth education on counseling models and meets all educational requirements for state licensure as a professional counselor.
Students in this program must be admitted separately to the Department of Counseling, as well as the Institute for Ministry. Individually taken, these two degrees would require 84 credits of graduate work. However, the joint degree program allows for certain courses in one master’s program to count as required courses or electives in the other. The total number of credits for the joint degree program is 69 credits—a reduction of 23 graduate credits.
Coursework
A complete listing of coursework required for this dual degree can be found on the M.P.S. /M.S.. Degree requirements page.
Tuition
Tuition is charged based on your program. For example, you will be charged the M.P.S. rate for LIM courses and the graduate counseling rate for your counseling courses.
The dual degree program is designed to prepare students for careers in pastoral ministry such as chaplaincy positions within prisons, detention centers, police departments, and other criminal justice institutional structures. It also provides preparation for careers in the criminal justice system, with special knowledge and skills in promoting rehabilitation and community reintegration, and serving as a liaison between justice institutions and religious organizations and chaplains.
Students in this program must be admitted to both the Department of Criminal Justice and the Institute for Ministry. Individually taken, these two degrees would require 66 credits of graduate work. However, the dual degree program allows for certain courses in one master’s program to count as required courses or electives in the other. The total number of credits for the dual degree program is 54 credits—a reduction of 12 graduate credits.
Coursework
A complete listing of coursework required for this dual degree can be found on the M.P.S. /M.C.J. degree requirements page.
Tuition
Tuition is charged based on your program. For example, you will be charged the M.P.S. rate for LIM courses and the graduate criminal justice rate for your criminal justice courses.
The dual Master of Pastoral Studies and Master of Business Administration degree responds to the growing interest among practitioners with an interest in issues of spirituality and faith and the desire for an understanding of sound business practices. It also reflects an important trend among scholars who have created scholarly journals and academic conferences in the field. It is designed for current and future religious leaders seeking greater knowledge of business practices and for current and future business leaders seeking a greater understanding of spirituality and the religious search for meaning that underpins all human efforts.
Coursework
A complete listing of coursework required for this dual degree can be found on the M.P.S. /M.B.A. degree requirements page.
Tuition
Tuition is charged based on your program. For example, you will charged the M.P.S. rate for LIM courses and the graduate business rate for your business courses.
A Graduate Certificate in Theology and Ministry may be awarded to persons who have completed a total of 18 credit hours of graduate study at the Institute for Ministry. Twelve of the 18 hours must be in theological core courses; six elective credits complete the certificate. Transfer credits from other institutions are not accepted. Upon completion of 12 hours, graduate certificate students must apply for the certificate or apply for candidacy in a LIM master’s degree program; the 12 credits already earned will then be applied to a candidate’s work toward a Master of Religious Education or Master of Pastoral Studies degree.
The Institute for Ministry offers two, advanced-level professional credentials for those who qualify for admission to these programs.
Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies
A Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies is available to those who have already earned a master’s degree from LIM or an appropriate graduate-level degree from another accredited college or university. This program consists of 12 graduate credit hours of study through the completion of two LIM focus areas. Transfer credits from other educational institutions are not accepted.
Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies (12 credits)
Those who have already earned a master’s degree from LIM, one of the continuing education certificates that the institute offers (Certificate of Pastoral Studies or Certificate of Religious Education) or an appropriate graduate degree from another accredited college or university—may choose to seek an additional professional, continuing education-credit credential from the Institute called the Advanced Continuing Education Certificate in Pastoral Studies. This program consists of 12 hours of specialized, continuing education (CEU credits) study through the completion of two LIM focus areas. Transfer credits from other educational institutions are not accepted. A continuing education version of this certificate is also available.
In addition to year-round evening/weekend courses in the on-campus program, LIM offers online courses in the summer with an occasional class offered on campus. .
All LIM graduate credit students receive a reduced tuition rate because of the Jesuit commitment to ministry education.
In partnership with a sponsoring diocese, parish, 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 under the direction of Loyola faculty for 10 of the courses. In these common courses, students engage in 10 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 program prospectus is available online, and a Policy Manual on the extension program can be obtained from the Institute’s office.
Because of the geography and size of the greater New Orleans area, the Institute for Ministry offers the LIM extension format as an option for students at a variety of off-campus locations.
The requirements for both the master of religious education degree and the master of pastoral studies degree consist of 36 credit hours:
Theological Core Courses (18 credit hours)
| LIMX G703 | Introduction to Practical Theology | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G711 | Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G712 | Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G714 | Grace, Christ, and Spirit | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G722 | Church, Sacraments, and Ministry | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G704 | Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics | 3 cr. hrs. |
Context of Ministry Courses and Capstone Courses (12 credit hours)
| LIMX G840 Faith and Culture | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G860 Faith Development and Spirituality | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G861 Pastoral Leadership and Organization | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G886 Pastoral and Educational Praxis | 3 cr. hrs. |
Focus Area Courses (6 credit hours) The first focus course is a prerequisite to the second course of a focus area.
| LIMX G701 | Foundations of Religious Education | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G715 | Curriculum Development | 3 cr. hrs. |
Christian Spirituality for Ministry (focus area):
| LIMX G827 | Spirituality for Ministers | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G828 | History of Christian Spirituality | 3 cr. hrs. |
Pastoral Life and Administration (focus area):
| LIMX G844 | Parish Life and Ministry | 3 cr | |
| LIMX G845 | Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry | 3 cr. hrs. |
Youth Ministry (focus area):
| LIMX G870 | Foundations of Youth Ministry | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G876 | Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development | 3 cr. hrs. |
Hispanic Ministry (focus area):
| LIMX G833 | Hispanic Experience of Religion and Culture | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G834 | Pastoral Ministry in Hispanic Communities | 3 cr. hrs. |
Religion and Ecology (focus area):
| LIMX G813 | The Universe as Divine Manifestation | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIMX G814 | The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story | 3 cr. hrs. |
Marketplace Ministry (focus area):
Small Christian Community Formation (focus area):
| LIM C809 | Inner Life of Small Christian Communities | 3 cr. hrs. |
| LIM C810 | Public Life of Small Christian Communities | 3 cr. hrs. |
Extension and online students considering the Pastoral Care focus area need to assess their ability to complete the four required courses. Students who choose this focus area need to be able to complete the equivalent of the two required counseling courses (Counseling Theories and Counseling Practice) from an accredited graduate program in their local area, if on-campus work is not possible for them during a regular fall semester at Loyola University New Orleans. Students also need to come on-campus for a two-week summer session to complete the Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling course. The fourth course in this focus area requires one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education from an accredited site. Available accredited sites for CPE may be found on the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education web site: <www.acpe.edu/directories.htm>.
Extension and online students choosing this focus area complete their program as on-campus students, and, consequently, will not finish the program with their learning group or online. They will leave the extension or online program after 8 courses or 24 hours of course work. Two of the required graduate counseling courses may be transferred in from a local accredited graduate program following the procedures and policy on transfer credit. Clinical and Pastoral Education may be done locally, if available. Extension and On-line students need to access the feasibility of doing this focus area from their home location.
Attendance in the extension program is compulsory. Each course meets at least 10 times to carry out a three-hour learning design provided by the institute. In the event of illness or emergency, a student who misses three sessions may make these sessions up and remain in the course. Any request for a waiver of this policy must be put in writing.
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 a withdrawal will result in the grade of F.
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:
Assistance with writing assignments for courses in the graduate program is offered in conjunction with Loyola’s Writing Across the Curriculum center. This gives graduate students the opportunity to confer with a writing consultant on all phases of the writing process. Students may contact a writing consultant by calling the LIM office or e-mailing the consultant at limwrite@loyno.edu.
Extension students with learning, physical or other disabilities may contact the Director of Disability Services at Loyola for information on the services and accommodations which are available. Students may call the LIM office and ask to be transferred to the Office of Disability Services or ask to speak to the Associate Director (Administrative Services) who works directly with the Office of Disability Services on LIM issues. Students may also write directly to the Director of Disability Services at the following address: Loyola University New Orleans, Campus Box 41, 6363 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 or e-mail the director at ssmith@loyno.edu. All contacts and information provided are confidential. In order to receive any reasonable special services or accommodations, students will be asked to provided documentation of the learning or physical disability. Copies of the university policy are available from the Office of Disability Services.
Any extension 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 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 online public access catalog. Any articles not held by the university library may be requested through interlibrary loan.
Additionally, extension students may contact by phone 504-864-7152 504-864-7152 or 504-864-7138 504-864-7138 or toll-free in the U.S. and Canada 877-614-0633 877-614-0633 ; by fax 504-864-7142; or by email libref@loyno.edu 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. Internet access to the Loyola University Library 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 Common Curriculum 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 gain access to the Internet.
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. Graduate students are also subject to the university graduation fee mentioned earlier in this bulletin.
Some diocese and other sponsoring agencies charge an administrative fee to help defray administrative costs in the local area.
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. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
A student who engages in behavior which is disruptive to the learning group environment is in violation of the Learning Group Agreement and Loyola 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 Loyola policy.
Loyola’s online programs are based on over forty-years experience in ministry education and over twenty-five years in distance education. Ours is a professionally oriented graduate program that develops your theological and ministerial competencies through an integration of academic study with theological reflection on ministerial practice and your lived adult experience as a person of faith.
Students come from all walks of life. Some are new to the field of theology and ministry, while others are already working as ecclesial ministers or religious educators. Others may work in hospitals, social service agencies, various businesses, or other settings.
Our online programs are designed by Loyola faculty with you, the adult learner, in mind. The sessions for each online course incorporate a variety of reflection methods and experiential learning approaches, along with lecture material presented in text form and supplemental video input from leading scholars. The graces of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola are woven through select courses. You will be a part of an online, intentional learning community that will carry on extended and disciplined conversation that is both theologically informed and personally transformative.
Our online programs are also designed for flexibility and convenience. You may take the master’s degree, a post-master’s certificate, and individual courses all online. You may also combine online with on-campus courses.
|
LIM G703 |
Introduction to Practical Theology |
3 crs. |
|
Jewish Roots of Christian Faith: Intro to Old Testament |
3 crs. |
|
|
LIM G712 |
Christian Origins: Intro to New Testament |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G714 |
Grace, Christ, and Spirit |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G722 |
Church, Sacraments, and Ministry |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G704 |
Spirituality, Morality, and Ethics |
3 crs. |
View focus area descriptions »
|
LIM G701 |
Foundations of Religious Education |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G715 |
Curriculum Development |
3 crs. |
|
LIM C716/800 |
Religious Education Across the Curriculum or Catechetical Leadership |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
View focus area descriptions »
|
Elective Courses: 6 credit hours, normally other focus area courses, to be selected by student in consultation with advisor |
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|
Christian Spirituality for Ministry |
||
|
LIM G827 |
Spirituality for Ministers |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G828 |
History of Christian Spirituality |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Hispanic Ministry |
||
|
LIM G833 |
Hispanic Experience of Religion and Culture |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G834 |
Pastoral Ministry in Hispanic Communities |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Marketplace Ministry |
||
|
LIM G819 |
Spirituality and the Theology of Work |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G820 |
Ministry in the Marketplace |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Pastoral Life and Administration |
||
|
LIM G844 |
Parish Life and Ministry |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G845 |
Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Ministry |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Religion and Ecology |
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LIM G813 |
The Universe as Divine Manifestation 3 cr. hrs. |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G814 |
The Emergent Universe: Our Sacred Story 3 cr. hrs. |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Small Christian Community Formation |
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LIM G809 |
Inner Life of Small Christian Communities |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G810 |
Public Life of Small Christian Communities |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Youth Ministry |
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|
LIM G870 |
Foundations of Youth Ministry |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G876 |
Adolescent Spirituality and Methods of Faith Development |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Individualized Program |
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|
Two Focus Area Courses (in consultation with advisor) |
6 crs. |
|
|
LIM G861 |
Pastoral Leadership and Organization |
3 crs. |
|
LIM G886 |
Pastoral and Educational Praxis |
3 crs. |
|
Elective Courses: 6 credit hours |
The requirements for both The Master Religious Education (M.R.E.) and the Master of Pastoral Studies (M.P.S.) consist of 36-credit hours. All courses are taken for graduate credit hours (crs), at the current tuition rate at LIM.
A practice course is set up in Blackboard and includes an Orientation for new students. One segment is a conversation with faculty and the learning model and method of online education used in the Institute of Ministry.
Online Students in the LIM online program with learning, physical or other disabilities may contact the Director of Disability Services at Loyola for information on the services and accommodations which are available. Students may call the Office of Disability Services, they may write directly to the Director of Disability Services at the following address: Loyola University New Orleans, Campus Box 41, 6363 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, or e-mail the director at <ssmith@loyno.edu>. All contacts and information provided are confidential. In order to receive any reasonable special services or accommodations, students will be asked to provide documentation of the learning or physical disability. Copies of the university policy are available from the Office of Disability Services. <http://www.loyno.edu/arc/>
The Writing Across the Curriculum Center provides LIM on-campus and online students with free assistance with writing assignments. The service gives online students the chance to confer with a trained writing tutor on all phases of the writing process. Detailed information on the writing service is also found in the LIM Guide to Written Theological Reflection, a resource that is available to students registered in LIM online courses.
Loyola’s Distance Library Service provides research assistance and free article and book delivery. Online students are encouraged to log on to the library’s homepage. This page provides links to the library’s online catalog and research databases. To log in to library resources, use your Loyola email username and password. The username is the first part of your email address. If you do not know your Loyola e-mail address, you can find it in the Loyola directory, or you can find it in the "Personal Info" section of your LORA account. Learn about the library's Distance Learning Services online or in the LIM Guide to Written Theological Reflection, a resource that is available to students registered in LIM online courses. You may contact Distance Library Services by email libref@loyno.edu or by dialing direct to 504-864-7152 or 504-864-7138 or toll-free in the U.S. and Canada 877-614-0633; during business hours. When you email or call the library, please let them know you are a distance education student in the LIM online program.
Students who withdraw from the university or from a course may be entitled to a refund of a percentage of their tuition. Students who withdraw must return a completed withdrawal form to the Office of Student Records. Mere cessation of attendance does not constitute withdrawal. The date of receipt of the withdrawal notice by the Office of Student Records will determine the amount of tuition refunded. Refunds are a percentage of the tuition payable in the semester in which the student withdraws, not a percentage of the total amount billed. Only tuition is refundable. No refunds are made when a student is suspended or dismissed for academic, disciplinary, or financial reasons. Tuition refunds are made for the fall and spring semesters on the following basis:
Since special sessions, short sessions, and summer sessions vary in length, please refer to the academic calendar for those refund deadlines.
Each course outlines assignments for eleven sessions. Online dialogue among participants will take place by way of the course Discussion Board. A discussion board is an asynchronous or time-independent application. This means that you will have no set times or schedules of when you must be in class; however, each course’s instructor will set expectations for how many times during the week you must log into Blackboard. At those times you will be able to read the comments of your instructor and fellow students and you will be able to share your own comments as well.
The Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC) is the continuing education division of the Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM). The LPLC provides continuing education opportunities for those involved in ecclesial ministries in a variety of settings. In 2008, the LPLC celebrated its 15th year of distinguished service to the Church and the world.
The mission of the LPLC today is to provide various continuing education opportunities, ministry studies programs, and spiritual enrichment for women and men involved in various aspects of the church’s life and ministries. The LPLC thus furthers the mission of the church community to promote the reign of God and the primary purpose of LIM — to prepare persons for leadership in Christian ministries.
The specialized certificate program offers specialty-level ministry education courses, readings, and integrating project work for persons currently engaged or soon to be engaged in pastoral ministry leadership roles in local Christian faith communities.
Entrance into the program requires one of the following:
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 coursework, the student earns a Specialized Certificate in Pastoral Life and Administration from the Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC).
This program is available either at an extension site or at the New Orleans campus during the summer session. Students opting for on-campus study can complete their program in three years of two-week sessions.
Specialized Certificate Curriculum
The Specialized Certificate in Christian Spirituality program offers specialty-level continuing education courses, readings, and integrating project work for leaders who are currently engaged in many types of spiritual-development work within a wide variety of local contexts—church parishes, private schools, retreat centers, service centers, and other institutions and organizations.
Entrance into the program requires one of the following:
This certificate program consists of six courses. Each course earns two CEUs. Upon successful completion of all coursework, the student earns a Specialized Certificate in Christian Spirituality from the Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC).
Specialized Certificate Curriculum
The Specialized Certificate in Catechetical Leadership program offers specialty-level continuing education courses, readings, and integrating project work for leaders who are currently engaged in many types of catechetical work within a wide variety of ministries – pastors, pastoral associates, and deacons; parish catechetical leaders, directors and coordinators of religious education and faith formation; school administrators, campus ministers, and religion department heads; RCIA and small faith community coordinators; religious community members; and experienced volunteers in leadership roles in catechesis.
Entrance into the program requires one of the following:
This certificate program consists of six courses. Each course earns two CEUs. Upon successful completion of all coursework, the student earns a Specialized Certificate in Catechetical Leadership from the Loyola Pastoral Life Center (LPLC).
Specialized Certificate Curriculum
Loyola Institute for Ministry Graduate Course Descriptions