The purpose of this initiative is to help Extension Dioceses retain, educate and develop outstanding young adult leaders.
Catholic Extension Society has partnered with Boston College, Fordham University, 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 “best and brightest” young leaders to pursue a Master of Arts in Religious Education, Theology, or Pastoral Ministry from one of Catholic Extension Society’s partnering universities. In this 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 varies by academic institution and ranges between 2.5 yrs and 3.5yrs.
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 – 3.5 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
- 3.5 yr. degree program, including 3 summers, and fall/spring online classes. Students take intensive summer classes during 6 weeks at the Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry
Fordham University
Degrees Offered: Master of Arts in Religious Education with a concentration in Youth and Young Adult Ministry; and Master of Arts in Pastoral Care.
- 2.5 yr. degree program, including 3 summers, and fall/spring online classes. Students take intensive summer courses during 10 days each summer at Fordham’s campus in the Bronx, NY.
To Apply:
- Complete the Online Application Form (one application required per student) by the deadline of Friday, February 3, 2023.
- 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
- 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.
Participant Testimonials:
“My journey through the master’s program has given me multiple vehicles to better express my faith experiences. I thank God for this opportunity.”
Edgar Guzman | Diocese of Fresno | Fordham 2019 Cohort
“Without donors from Catholic Extension Society, I wouldn’t have the impetus to do this master’s program.”
Helen Beckert | Diocese of Owensboro | Notre Dame 2019 Cohort
“With this degree, I can better answer the questions of those that I serve. They’re seeking answers, and I can be a source of information in growing their faith.”
Santiago Banda | Diocese of Kalamazoo | Notre Dame 2021 Cohort
Check out more YALI student testimonials linked here.
For More Information, contact:
Veronica Avila, Senior Manager of Mission Programs, at (312) 795-5128 or vavila@catholicextension.org
Odette Barrientos, Manager of Mission Programs, at (312) 795-6082 or obarrientos@catholicextension.org