Master of Arts in Justice Ministry

The Master of Arts in Justice Ministry will prepare and provide ministers with expertise in dealing with theological and pastoral issues related to reconciliation and peace-making processes within the church and the world. The four concentrations offered include: environmental justice, racial justice, reconciliation, and social justice.

This is one of five new degree options for students who are interested in preparing for ministry in specialized fields. Of the required 36 credit-hours of study, at least 24 hours must be completed in residence (traditional classroom setting) with an option to complete the other 12 hours in either online or blended courses, as available. In addition to the necessary coursework, all students are required to participate in the appropriate spiritual formation program offered at CTU.Educational goals and outcomes for students:

• Attainment of a solid grounding in Catholic theological warrants for justice in a globalized world
• Attainment of a specialized knowledge of one issue area: environmental justice, racial justice, reconciliation, or social justice
• Attainment of a set of practical skills that enables the employment of best practices in ministry for justice
• Integration of theological knowledge, skills in issue analysis, and ministerial practices for justice ministry

Degree requirements:

Core Courses (18 credits)

Foundations: Theology and the Practice of Ministry (2 credits)
Foundations: Doing Theology (2 credits)
Foundations: Religious Experience in Context (2 credits)
Foundations: Understanding Christian Tradition (2 credits)
Introduction to Old Testament (2 credits)
Introduction to New Testament (2 credits)
Introduction to Moral Theology (ethics) (3 credits)
Catholic Social Teaching and Mission (3 credits)

Additional Required Courses by concentration (18 credits)

Environmental Justice Additional Courses

Christology (3 credits)
Care for the Earth (3 credits)
Catholic Environmental Ethics: Sources, Norms, and Issues (3 credits)

An additional 6 credit-hours choosing from the following courses:
Pastoral Ministry as Justice Praxis (3 credits)
Creation and Eschatology (2 credits)
Ecology and Spiritual Practice (3 credits)
Ethics, Spirituality, Global Climate Change (3 credits)
The Book of Genesis (3 credits)
The Religious and Social Protest of Amos (3 credits)
Old Testament Poetry (Wisdom Literature) (3 credits)
The Gospel of John (3 credits)

Pastoral Project/Internship in Ecotheology (3 credits)

Total: 36 credit-hours

Racial Justice Additional Courses

Ethics of Power and Racial Justice (3 credits)
Holocaust and Genocide (3 credits)

Choose one:
Christology (3 credits)
Christian Anthropology (3 credits)

Choose one:
Pastoral Ministry as Justice Praxis (3 credits)
Latino/a Perspectives in Ministry and Theology (3 credits)
Pastoral Care in the African-American Community (3 credits)
Pastoral Ministry in U.S. Asian & Pacific Island Contexts (3 credits)

Choose one:
Reading the Bible Differently: African American Perspectives (3 credits)
Perspectives in African American Biblical Interpretation (3 credits)
Luke as a Story in Asian Context (3 credits)
Strangers, Migrants, and Refugees in the Bible (3 credits)

Pastoral Project/Internship in Racial Justice (3 credits)

Total: 36 credit-hours

Reconciliation Additional Courses

Choose two:
Reconciliation and Forgiveness (3 credits)
Pastoral Ministry as Justice Praxis (3 credits)
Ethics of Power and Racial Justice (3 credits)
Christian Perspectives on War and Peace (3 credits)
Politics and the Christian Conscience (3 credits)

Additional courses in concentration: 6 credits (see program director for full list of course options)
Electives: 3 credits
Pastoral Project or Internship in Ecotheology (3 credits)

Total: 36 credit-hours

Social Justice Additional Courses

Christology (3 credits)
Pastoral Ministry as Justice Praxis (3 credits)

Choose two:
World Poverty, Development and Life’s liberation (3 credits)
Global Economic Justice and Christian Faith (3 credits)
Spirituality, Liturgy and the Quest for Justice (3 credits)
Christian Perspectives on War and Peace (3 credits)
Politics and Christian Conscience (3 credits)

Choose one:
The Religious and Social Protest of Amos (3 credits)
Strangers, Migrants, and Refugees in the Bible (3 credits)
Biblical Foundations for Discipleship (3 credits)
Old Testament Prophets (3 credits)

Pastoral Project/Internship: Social Justice (3 credits)

Total: 36 credit-hours

Participation in appropriate spiritual formation program

For more information about the M.A. in Justice Ministry degree contact:

Keiren O'Kelly
773.371.5442
kokelly@ctu.edu