Participants will receive a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Chicago.

A bilingual master’s degree program for Latino lay leaders in mission dioceses.

Catholic Extension Society is offering a funding opportunity this year to select bilingual Latino lay leaders serving or aspiring to serve the Church in Extension dioceses.

The bilingual (Spanish/English) program allows students to pursue a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) from Loyola University Chicago. The Association of Theological Studies (ATS) accredited program is virtual and bilingual (Spanish/English) and is offered during a two-year period.

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) program prepares students for ministerial service in bicultural and bilingual communities. It integrates theological and pastoral formation in four fundamental areas:

  1. Human
  2. Spiritual
  3. Intellectual
  4. Ministerial

The MAPS Online Bilingual Program offers students a broad systematic foundation for a variety of ministries and tools necessary to, critically and constructively, engage with the challenges and opportunities of our time. The program starts in the summer every year, continues through fall and spring semesters, and ends with a final summer session. Students will travel for a 2-3 day in-person academic gathering in summers 2 and 3.

Number of credit hours required to earn the degree: 36

All courses are offered online, with both synchronized (video conferencing) and non-synchronized (discussion forums) formats that allow students to be flexible and balance work and personal life.

Duration: 2.5 yrs.

Value to Participating Student and Diocese: $ 21,000 (per student).

Documents:

To Apply:

  • Complete the Online Application Form (one application required per student) by the deadline of Friday, February 17, 2023.
  • Read and review all the dates and documents linked below. Attach all documents at the end of the application:
  • Signed Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies Program Guidelines and Partnership Agreement
  • Signed Scholarship Attestation Form
  • Student Interest Form
  • Official Letter of Endorsement from the Bishop
  • Any supplemental documents (i.e. student resume, recommendation letter, etc.)

*Note: Catholic Extension Society requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all students/participants in our programs.  If you are accepted for this program, you will be requested to provide us with a current copy of your vaccination card at that time.

For More Information

Contact Veronica Avila, Director of Mission Programs, at 312.795.5128 or vavila@catholicextension.org.