Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry for Hispanics
The M.A. in Pastoral Ministry for Hispanics program provides leadership formation inculturated to the Hispanic culture in the United States that will help people to live and promote a style of Church which will be a leaven of the Kingdom of God in society. The program is designed to equip students for competent leadership in Hispanic/Latino communities of faith. The program is an advanced degree in Theology that integrates theological formation with a lived practice of Hispanic pastoral ministry. The program consists of a core curriculum in Biblical, Systematic, Liturgical, Moral, and Hispanic Pastoral Theology. The program provides the students with a capacity to reflect on their pastoral experience and gives them theological and ministerial tools for ecclesial leadership in Catholic Hispanic Ministry.
As a response to Barry University’s commitment to the theological education of the growing Hispanic population, courses are offered through a collaborative effort with the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI), located at 7700 SW 56 Street, Miami, Florida 33155. SEPI is the educational branch of the Southeast Regional Office for Hispanic Affairs, Regions V and XIV of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All coursework offered In the MA.PASM Is conducted in Spanish.
The Program Goals and Objectives of the MA.PASM are designed to develop theological and pastoral competence through:
- Rigorous scholarly engagement in the areas of Biblical, Systematic, Liturgical, Moral, Hispanic
- Hispanic Pastoral Theology, and US Hispanic/Latino(a) Theology
- Critical and constructive Theological reflection of the Hispanic Pastoral experience
- Increased knowledge of the multicultural reality of the Hispanic Catholic Church in the United States
- Promotion of personal and spiritual maturity
- Promotion of skills and competencies for ecclesial pastoral ministry with Hispanics.
These goals were developed by faculty in consonance with the Mission and Core Commitments of Barry University and the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI) and in compliance with the standards of the Association of Theological Schools and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges.
Graduate Admission Requirements and Policies
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (B) as indicated by transcripts
- Sufficient undergraduate preparation (usually 18 credit hours in Theology/Religious Studies at the undergraduate level) or life experience as verified by objective norms
- Two letters of recommendation
- A short essay indicating why a graduate degree will help fulfill one’s career goals
- Admission is selective, but provisional acceptance may be granted by the Chair of the Department of Theology and Philosophy
Transfer Credits
A maximum of six graduate credit hours may be transferred from another college or university towards a graduate degree at Barry University. Such coursework must be approved by the administration before credit is awarded.
Time Limitation
A student will be allowed no fewer than three years and no more than seven years to complete the program. An extension may be granted for sufficient reason by the Chair of the Department of Theology and Philosophy.
Advisement
Each student pursuing graduate courses will be assigned a faculty advisor.
Special Occurrences
- Any student seeking a leave of absence from the program must have the written approval of the Chair of the Department of Theology and Philosophy.
- No student will graduate with a cumulative grade point average below 3.0. Any student receiving a grade below C may be considered for dismissal from the program.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 42 credit hours with a 3.0 average. Six (6) of the credit hours may be obtained by presentation of a satisfactory research paper
- Satisfactory performance in an oral comprehensive exam
- Completion of a pastoral project report
Master of Arts, Pastoral Ministry for Hispanics (42 credits)
Required Courses (27 credits)
Electives (15 credits)
Choose from the following: