The purpose of this initiative is to help Extension Dioceses retain, educate and develop outstanding young adult leaders.
With advanced degrees, young adults can apply their talents and energy as effective ministry leaders in mission dioceses.
Catholic Extension Society has partnered with Boston College and the University of Notre Dame to offer master’s degree scholarships for committed Young Adults in Extension Dioceses aspiring to serve the Church.
Extension Dioceses will have the opportunity to nominate their outstanding mission-driven young leaders to pursue a Master of Arts in Theology or Theology and Ministry from one of Catholic Extension Society’s partnering universities. In the master’s degree program, students will attend intensive courses on campus during the Summer, while taking online courses and working in the diocese in a supervised pastoral ministry position for the remaining part of the academic year. The duration of the program is 2.5 yrs.
At the end of the program, the diocese (or sponsoring parish where the student ministers) will have the option to hire those graduates who are not already employed in a permanent position, for which Catholic Extension Society would contribute an incentive of $10,000 toward their first year’s salary.
Duration: 2.5 Years
Value to Participating Student and Diocese: Up to $80,000 (per student)
Partner Institutions
University of Notre Dame
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Theology
- 2.5 yr. degree program, including 3 summers, and fall/spring online classes. Students take intensive summer courses during 6 weeks at Notre Dame’s campus.
Boston College
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry
- 2 yr. degree program, including 2 summers, and fall/spring online classes. Students take intensive summer classes during 3 weeks at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry.
To Apply:
- Head over to our application portal, navigate to the “Apply for Funding” page, and find “Young Adult Leadership Initiative”
- All applications must be submitted by the diocesan primary contact.
- Read and review all the dates and documents linked below. Attach all documents at the end of the application:
- Signed Young Adult Leadership Initiative Program Guidelines and Partnership Agreement
- Signed Scholarship Attestation Form
- Student Interest Form
- Travel Profile
- Official Letter of Endorsement from the Bishop
- Any supplemental documents (i.e. student resume, recommendation letter, etc.)
- Application deadline: February 15
Participant Testimonials:
“It means a lot to me to be empowered through education. I’ve been empowered to believe in a Church that’s always in movement. There is a lot of mission work to do here, and I can now expand it to be able to touch other people.”
Alicia Meza I Diocese of Fresno I Boston College 2022 Cohort
“I can’t believe we have completed our MA. It has truly been a life-changing experience, and I can’t wait to continue sharing all the blessings I received with my borderland community.”
Arturo Adame | Diocese of El Paso | University of Notre Dame 2022 Cohort
Check out more YALI student testimonials linked here.
For More Information, contact:
Peter O’Donnell, Manager of Mission Programs, at (312) 261-8156 or [email protected]