Purpose

This program leads to two degrees that offers students the opportunity to combine theological and pastoral studies with advanced and specialized counseling techniques; some credits are shared.

The MAPS degree is awarded by the Union and the MS degree is awarded by Loyola University (Maryland). The Loyola courses are usually offered at its nearby campus in Columbia, Maryland. Applicants for the MS degree must obtain admissions acceptance through separate application to: Graduate Admissions Office of Loyola University.

Curriculum Requirement (effective beginning Fall 2010)

The program consists of 47 credit hours of course work divided into two basic categories: foundation courses in the major theological disciplines and an area of ministerial focus. Students have a maximum of five (5) years to complete the curriculum.

Ecclesiastical History
EH531   EH532	Ancient and Medieval History (3) or   Reformation and Modern Church History (3)
Pastoral Studies
PS515	Pastoral Care and Identity (3)
PS601	Level I Supervised Ministry (4)
PS602	Level II Supervised Ministry (4)
Sacred Scripture
SS517	Pentateuch and Historical Books (3)
SS520	Critical Study of the New Testament (3)
Spirituality
SP705 or	Foundations of Spirituality (3) or
SS757	Biblical Foundations of Contemporary Spirituality (3)
Systematic Theology
SY512   SY511	Christian Anthropology (3) or   Foundations of Theology (3) (if approved)
SY611	Christology (3)
SY651	Theology of the Church (3)
Moral Theology
MO541	The Christian Moral Life (3)
MO645	Catholic Social Ethics (3)
Word and Worship
WW655	Eucharist (3)
Electives
	Courses in ministerial focus (6)

Credit Sharing

As part of the joint school agreement, the 8 credits for PS601A and PS602A will be satisfied by the corresponding Loyola counseling practicum courses. The 6 elective credits for the courses in the ministerial focus may also be satisfied by equivalent ministerial courses in the Loyola curriculum, depending upon the ministerial focus selected by the student. The curriculum for the MS in Pastoral Counseling requires 60 credits as outlined in the Loyola catalog, divided into 36 credits of didactic courses including 6 credits in the field of theology/spirituality, also 12 credits of counseling practicum and 12 for a pastoral integration thesis. As part of the joint school agreement, the 6 credits of theology taken for the MAPS degree will satisfy the required 6 credits in theology for the MS degree.

Credit Summary

The student for the MAPS degree will complete 39 or 35 Union credits, depending upon ministerial focus decision. The student will complete 54 Loyola credits for the MS degree.

MAPS Integrating Paper/MS Pastoral Integration Thesis Requirement

Each degree requires an integration paper reflecting upon studies, experience, interpretation and personal growth. As part of the joint agreement, this will be accomplished through a joint exercise. The integration paper/thesis should be at least 50 pages and may take one of the following forms: a pastoral project, a case study in ministry or a research paper within the selected ministerial focus. Students must obtain proper approvals of the topic, the outline and the final version of the paper/thesis. In addition, the student will participate in a Pro-Seminar at Loyola for purposes of their faculty and peer interaction in developing the thesis. The Union's paper director will consult with the corresponding Loyola faculty on the coordinated requirements for the paper/thesis. The project satisfies the Loyola MS thesis requirement and the Union's MAPS degree non-credit paper requirement.

Course Registration

Registration for courses will be accomplished in accordance with the regulations of each school for the courses selected.