Traditional Certificates and Degrees

Certificates and Degrees- Traditional

There is a dual focus to the mission of the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education. On the one hand, the GRE is committed through its degree programs to cultivating academic excellence and scholarly research. On the other hand, as part of a commitment to church and society the GRE encourages the development of pastoral skills in religious education and the various areas of pastoral ministry.

To honor the dual focus of the GRE's mission, GRE academic programs are described in two ways. GRE degree programs are listed and described as academically rigorous programs of study that provide theological and pastoral foundations for religious education and pastoral studies. GRE academic offerings are also listed and described in terms of pastoral and ministerial skills in the areas of religious education, spirituality and spiritual direction, pastoral care and counseling, and general pastoral studies and pastoral ministry.

M.A. in Religious Education

Degree		M.A.
Number of Credits		36 Credits
Overview		The Master of Arts degree provides a deepened understanding of core theological disciplines and opportunities to explore the various arts of pastoral ministry. The degree is designed for those serving the church or preparing for employment at parish, school and diocesan levels. Those seeking personal enrichment through the study of Christian faith are also welcome to apply. Students focus their studies on theological research and are required to complete a research paper. In consultation with an academic adviser, students select theological courses in the core areas of biblical studies, systematic studies and liturgical/spiritual studies. Students also choose from a wide variety of pastorally oriented courses in religious education, spirituality and spiritual direction, pastoral care and counseling, family ministry, parish education and leadership, pastoral liturgy, youth ministry and social ministry. Students accepted into the M.A. degree program are required to complete a research paper that focuses on a particular pastoral issue or concern and integrates insights and theological methods of inquiry from throughout their program of study.
Concentrations		Adult, Family and Community Youth and Young Adult Ministry The Youth and Young Adult Ministry concentration focuses on understanding adolescent and young adult religious, spiritual, moral and psychological development; Students choose from among courses in community, family and religious education; curriculum and religious education; adult learning and development and other areas of religious education and pastoral studies. Students are asked to direct their studies in either religious education or pastoral studies as they prepare for a career path as either religious education/catechesis with youth and young adults in parishes, schools, college and university campuses, and dioceses. This program is also offered in the distance learning format as well as the traditional classroom venue. Click here for information.

M.A. in Pastoral Care

Degree		M.A.
Number of Credits		36 Credits
Overview		The Masters of Arts program in Pastoral Care is designed to prepare those engaged in the work of ministry to be competent and effective pastoral caregivers in their present and future ministries. The goal of the program is to provide knowledge and understanding of the nature and purpose of pastoral care, increased effectiveness with pastoral care interventions and sustained theological reflection on the application of pastoral care in specific situations of ministry. The program combines theory and practice and aims at the integration of theological and psychological knowledge to increase effectiveness in pastoral ministry. At the core of the program are philosophical, theological, historical, psychological, sociological and cultural foundations. Various modalities of theological reflection will be utilized in the program: pastoral and practical theology, psychology, developmental theory, spirituality, and cultural and multicultural perspectives. Click here for information.

M.A. in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care

Degree		M.A.
Number of Credits		60 Credits
Overview		The Master of Arts program in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care trains students to be clinical pastoral counselors and serve as pastoral ministers who can address everyday psychological and spiritual issues and concerns. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to become licensed mental health counselors. It also provides training for those working with families, congregations and other professional institutions. In consultation with an academic adviser, students choose courses in core mental health disciplines and pastoral areas of study. The program requires the completion of 60 credit hours of graduate study, with 600 hours of field placement. Click here for information.

Ph.D. in Religious Education

Degree		Ph.D.
Number of Credits		72 Credits
Overview		The doctoral program in religious education prepares highly specialized professionals for leadership in religious education. Multidisciplinary fields of study intersect in the doctoral curriculum. The program is intended to nurture sound scholarship by encouraging students to develop and demonstrate erudition, reflection and research skills in their academic work, examinations, dissertations and vocational experiences. Questions of faith and theology are examined with an eye toward enhancing the general quality of religious education. The interaction of teaching, learning and theology is at the core of the program. Doctoral students grapple with the central texts and questions of theological, philosophical, historical, psychological, sociological and religious thought. Doctoral studies in this field help prepare professionals committed to public service through the character development and the transmission of religious heritage. The program seeks to provide students with the knowledge and skills to work as religious education professionals in various settings: colleges and universities, schools, congregations, dioceses and public service organizations. In keeping with Fordham University’s Jesuit mission, the program gives special, though not exclusive, attention to the Christian and Catholic religious tradition. A major concern, in keeping with the mission of Jesuit education, is to explore the social role that religious education can play in dealing with pivotal contemporary cultural movements, including ecology, feminism, multiculturalism, and peace and justice, as these areas intersect with theological issues, such as faith enculturation and spirituality. Click here for information.

Doctor of Ministry

Degree		Doctor of Ministry
Number of Credits		36 credits beyond the M. Div or its equivalent
Overview		The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program offered at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education provides advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of religious ministry, increased competencies in pastoral analysis and ministry skills, sustained theological reflection, and new knowledge about the practice of ministry. The program, combining theory and pastoral practice, strives for the integration of theological and social science knowledge to advance excellence in religious ministry and the general practice of ministry in its many forms. It also provides students with expertise in specialized areas of ministerial practice. The foundations of the program are theological, historical, psychological and sociological. Faculty and students use various models of theological reflection: ministerial, spiritual, feminist, cultural and practical. In keeping with Fordham University’s Jesuit mission, the program gives special, though not exclusive, attention to the Christian and Catholic religious tradition. A major concern of the program, in keeping with the mission of Jesuit education, is to explore the social role that religious ministry can play in dealing with cultural and theological issues, such as ecology, feminism, multiculturalism, globalization, enculturation, peace and justice, and spirituality. The D.Min. program is designed to prepare reflective and competent professionals for positions of leadership in religious ministry. The program strives to discover and nurture sound scholarship, meaningful research and the interdependence of theory and practice. The D.Min. is conferred on the basis of scholarship, research skills and practical application demonstrated by the student’s coursework, examinations, doctoral project and ministerial experience. Click here for information.

Graduate Certificate Program in Faith Formation

Degree		Graduate Certificate
Number of Credits		18 credits
Overview		An 18-credit certificate offered for teachers, parish religious educators and catechists, volunteers, parish ministers and those interested in deepening their knowledge and appreciation of the faith tradition. The program is grounded in solid theology, spirituality, religious education and scripture. There are sufficient electives offered in the program to allow flexibility in responding to individual needs and goals. The competencies outlined by the United States Catholic Bishops in their document, “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord,” are included in the courses offered in either the traditional classroom setting or online. Click Here for further information.

Graduate Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction

Degree		Graduate Certificate
Number of Credits		18 credits
Overview		The Graduate Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction is comprised of 18 graduate credits focused specifically on the core competencies needed by a spiritual director. The spiritual direction courses are designed to identify the participant’s potential for becoming a spiritual director, to assist the participant in discerning a call to this ministry, to formulate a model of spiritual direction and to develop the specific skills needed by a spiritual director. The program is designed for pastoral workers or ordained ministers who already have an M.A. in Theology, Ministry, or a related field. Applicants must also be able to show one year’s experience in ministry or spiritual direction and 9 graduate credits in Fundamental Theology and Scripture. A second potential group of students are professionals with master’s or doctoral degrees in clinical areas such as social work, pastoral psychology, counseling, etc., who want to integrate spirituality into their practices or who wish to understand how spiritual directors and therapists might work in concert with one another. Click here for information.