Chapter VI. Graduate Programs

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences offers Master of Arts degrees in the following areas: Religious Studies and Multidisciplinary Studies. A certificate for completion of a course of academic credits is also offered in the Pastoral Institute. Specific requirements for the certificate are listed in this section.

Please see information on admissions requirements in the descriptions for each program.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES (RSPI)

The Master of Arts in Religious Studies through the Pastoral Institute is designed to prepare laity, religious, and clergy to meet the challenges of contemporary church ministry and leadership, especially in parish ministries, religious education on all levels, spirituality and spiritual development, youth ministry and catechetical leadership. The degree program encompasses three areas of study: scripture, theology and ministry. The Institute strives to integrate various disciplines, particularly the social sciences, education, and the communication arts, with the Christian message. In keeping with the spirit and direction of the Second Vatican Council, the graduate program promotes personal growth and renewal.

An integral part of the Institute is the emphasis, not only on solid scriptural and theological foundations, but also on the pastoral application of theory and research to the concrete situations of ministry and to the development of leadership roles in the church. Theological reflection, therefore, is built into each course. Opportunities for planning and participating in liturgical celebrations as well as for group discussion and sharing are incorporated into the program.

Admission Criteria

The applicant for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies must fulfill the general requirements for admission to the graduate program and for the Master’s degree, with the exception that in place of the GRE/MAT requirement applicants must present three letters of recommendation and a personal statement of ministerial and educational goals. Applicants should consult the Director for further directions regarding the letters of recommendation.

Prerequisites

At least twelve semester hours in Theology or Religious Studies at the under-graduate level, taken after 1980, to include introductory courses in the study of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Documented non-credit studies will be evaluated on an individual basis upon request, for example, diaconal studies or diocesan certification courses.

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies:
The degree plan requires thirty-six (36) semester hours, distributed as follows:

  1. 6 semester hours in Scripture, to include a course in the Hebrew Scriptures and one in the Christian Scriptures.
  2. 10 semester hours in Theology, to include a course in Sacraments, Liturgy, Morality, and Ecclesiology.
  3. 10 semester hours in Ministry, to include a two-credit pastoral project preceded by RSPI 6285: Program Planning and Evaluation. Upon request, a thesis option may be considered in special circumstances, but in general is not recommended due to the pastoral nature of the degree.
  4. 10 hours of electives, selected according to the student’s educational and ministerial goals. Part or all of these units may be taken in one of the areas of specialization. With the approval of the Director of the Pastoral Institute, a student may elect to complete up to nine hours of graduate credit in another graduate degree program offered by the University of the Incarnate Word.

Specializations:

Specialization in Spirituality (10 hours)

For the Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies with a specialization in Spirituality, the following courses are required:
RSPI 6273—Introduction to Spirituality
RSPI 6274—Introduction to Prayer

Also, the Pastoral Project (RSPI 62CS) must be completed in the area of spirituality.

Specialization in Catechesis (8 hours)

This specialization focuses on the techniques and environment of contemporary catechesis. Course offerings include:
RSPI 5236—Family Catechesis
RSPI 5239—Adulthood and Christian Maturity
RSPI 5240—Theory and Methods of Catechesis
RSPI 5242—Administration and Program Planning in Religious Education
RSPI 5244—Culture and Catechesis
RSPI 5249—Catechesis for a Worshipping Community
RSPI 5251—Adolescent Catechesis

Also, the Pastoral Project (RSPI 62CS) must be undertaken in the area of Catechesis.

Specialization in Ministry with Hispanics (minimum of 8 hours)

Through a cooperative program with the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), the Master of Arts in Religious Studies may be obtained with a specialization in Ministry with Hispanics. Up to 14 credit hours from the MACC program can be applied towards the Master’s degree.

General requirements for admission to the M.A. in Religious Studies program must be met before a student may enroll in the cooperative program. While enrolled at MACC, students pay 40% of the University’s regular tuition costs (to the University) in addition to tuition and fees required by MACC. Further information on requirements may be obtained from the Director of the Institute or from MACC. Credits earned through MACC must be arranged individually with the Director of the Pastoral Institute.

Specialization in Youth Ministry (8 hours)

The Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies with a specialization in Youth Ministry is offered in cooperation with the Office of Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

For the Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies with a specialization in Youth Ministry, candidates take the following courses:
RSPI 5155—Foundations of Christian Leadership
RSPI 5156—Principles of Youth Ministry
RSPI 5157—Skills for Christian Leadership
RSPI 5158—Developing Youth Ministry
RSPI 5159—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth Through Pastoral Care
RSPI 5160—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Evangelization and Catechesis
RSPI 5161—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Prayer and Worship
RSPI 5162—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Justice, Peace, and Service

Also, the Pastoral Project (RSPI 62CS) must be completed in the area of Youth Ministry. All applicants should consult with the Director of the Pastoral Institute to establish their course of studies and their area of specialization where appropriate.

Requirements for a Certificate in Pastoral Studies

A non-degree certificate recognizing 16 semester hours of graduate course work offers the opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge in the field of pastoral theology and ministry. Course choices are based on the individual’s previous studies and future plans for ministry. Certificate enrollment is open to all persons who meet the general admission requirements for admission to the M.A. in Religious Studies.

Course Descriptions (RSPI)

5150—The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)
The history, theology, and pastoral implications of the post-conciliar restoration of this rite, pastoral adaptations.

6155—Foundations of Christian Leadership
Examines the principles and priorities that guide students’ lives as Christian leaders. Presents an understanding of principle-centered leadership and Christian spirituality that addresses one’s personal mission, ministerial roles, and priorities.

6156—Principles of Youth Ministry
Presents foundational understandings and principles for developing an effective and comprehensive ministry with adolescents.

6157—Skills for Christian Leadership
Addresses the theories and skills ministers need to work with and through people. Emphasizes the application of leadership skills to various ministry settings, problems, and issues.

6158—Developing Youth Ministry
Explores processes and skills for effective leadership in youth ministry. Prepares leaders to empower the parish community for ministry with youth through collaboration and leadership development.

6159—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Pastoral Care
Explores the principles and methods of caring for young people from various cultures, and their families. Promotes healthy adolescent development from a pastoral care perspective and to develop interventions for families and adolescents.

6160—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Evangelization and Catechesis
Explores the foundations of nurturing adolescent faith development and Catholic identity through an integrated approach to faith development incorporating teaching, prayer, liturgy, community life, justice, and service.

6161—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Evangelization and Catechesis
Examines the foundational role of Christian worship and sacraments in fostering the spiritual growth of youth. Develops a realistic and integrated approach to worship within a comprehensive ministry to youth and practical application in the pastoral setting.

6162—Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Justice and Service
Explores the foundations for fostering a justice and service consciousness and spirituality in youth. Develops skills for creating integrated, action-learning models for the justice and service component of a comprehensive youth ministry.

6236—Family Catechesis
The study and analysis of family systems and the implications for intergenerational catechesis.

6239—Adulthood and Christian Maturity
The study of current methods and models for adult learning and faith development.

6240—Theory and Methods of Catechesis
An exploration of the theological and historical principles of catechesis today, including national and diocesan guidelines; age-appropriate methods and program design.

6242—Administration and Program Planning in Religious Education
Organizing and administering religious education programs, the role of the coordinator, relationship with pastor, families, students, and teachers.

6243—Catechist Formation
Preparation of religious educators; emphasis on cultural foundations for evangelization and catechesis.

6244—Culture and Catechesis
Cultural factors which influence the catechetical process, a multicultural examination of the development and expression of belief.

6251—Adolescent Catechesis
A study of the content and methods appropriate for religious education of youth.

6264—Leadership of Public Prayer
Theological foundations for the language and design of prayer, skills of oral communication and an introduction to homiletics, presiding at communion and other services.

6265—Arts for Christian Worship
The importance of the imagination in worship, principles for environments and arts from church documents, experience in creating storytelling, drama, mime, movement, and art.

6271—Sacraments and Ministry
The unity between sacraments and ministry. Basic theological and pastoral implications in the celebration of the sacraments.

6272—Basic Counseling Concepts for Pastoral Ministers
Survey of basic counseling concepts to improve the student’s interpersonal effectiveness, assistance of others, crisis identification, and knowledge of referral procedures.

6275—Marriage and Family Theory for Pastoral Ministers
An introductory study of healthy marriage and healthy family theory; family life-cycle development; basic marriage and family problems; basic counseling skills for problem identification and referral.

6276—Interpersonal Communication Skills
The importance of interpersonal communication skills as a necessity for the full development of self and others, examined in one-to-one relationships as well as larger systems; emphasis on personal participation; application to a wide variety of pastoral settings.

6119—Intertestamental Period
Changes in Judaism from 300 B.C. to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70; cultural and literary background; the Apocalyptists.

6201—The Christian Message
Essential elements of the Christian faith, with attention to Roman Catholic teachings; core content for program planning in religious education.

6202—Christology
An examination of the central Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ, including the New Testament foundation for this belief and subsequent Christian teaching; contemporary implications.

6203—Foundations of Christian Theology
Theology has often been defined as “faith seeking understanding.” This course will explore methodologies and resources used by Christian Theologians to better understand and express their faith. The course will examine the basic themes of the Christian faith, particularly in the Roman Catholic tradition. It will also address some contemporary theological issues and pastoral application of theory to ministry.

6205—Justice, the World, and the Church
Peace and justice in the Old Testament, New Testament, and the U.S. Bishops’ pastoral letters on peace and economics. Models of the church in relationship to peace and justice.

6209—Biblical Studies
Foundations for Catholic biblical studies, including terms, contexts, authorship, and a brief overview of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.

6210—Wisdom Literature
An introduction to Israel’s search for wisdom in its Ancient Near Eastern context; including the expression of wisdom, Lady Wisdom, and the place of Wisdom literature in Israel’s faith: Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth, Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon.

6211—Johannine Writings
The Fourth Gospel presentation of a Jesus with whom the believer enters into communion to undergo a personal transformation directed toward a transformation of the world; includes study of the Gospel of John and themes from Revelation.

6212—Theologies of the New Testament
An examination and comparison of the different theologies found in the New Testament writings. Topics include the self-identity of early Christians and their relationship to Israel, the role of the Spirit in the churches, and the influence of social conditions on the theological views of Christians.

6213—Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures
The consciousness of persons of faith interpreting and transforming history in response to the word of God; a study of the principal themes of the Hebrew Scriptures.

6214—The Synoptics and Acts
The message of Jesus about God’s Kingdom seen from the experiences of the early Christian communities. The images of Jesus and his mission, and the Christian challenge in the Church.

6218—The Pauline Corpus
The life and ministry of Paul; the principal themes of Pauline theology; special treatment of selected texts from Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians.

6220—Church History
Historical survey of Christianity, with emphasis on the Western Church. A. Origins to the Reformation; B. From the Council of Trent to the Second Vatican Council

6225—Moral Theology in a Pastoral Context
An examination of the ethical issues and problems which commonly arise within the pastoral context, with particular emphasis on Roman Catholic theological approaches to sexuality.

6226—Key Issues in Social Ethics
An analysis of key social issues including the questions of church authority, in-culturation and its implications, the meaning of “preferential option for the poor,” national issues and social priorities.

6227—Theologies of Liberation
A study of the principal themes of liberation found in Latin American, African-American, feminist, and ecological theologies.

6232—Contemporary Christian Theologians
Contemporary theological thought as found in representative thinkers of the Catholic and Protestant traditions.

6241—Hispanic History and Cultural Religious Expressions
The history of Hispanic Catholics in the United States, and how this history shapes the life and religiosity of today’s U.S. Hispanic faith communities.

6254—Leadership in the Christian Community
Role, function, principles, and theories of leadership; program development and evaluation; leadership and development.

6255—Women and Christian Tradition
Addresses the principal issues and themes of women journeying toward full partnership in the Christian community. Approaches the contemporary dialogue around equality from a variety of perspectives: biblical, theological, and pastoral.

6260—Liturgy
The liturgical life of the Church under its theological, historical, spiritual, pastoral, catechetical, and juridical aspects; practical applications. Emphasis on Vatican II and post-conciliar documents pertaining to liturgy and renewal.

6261—Pastoral Liturgy
Introduction to liturgical spirituality, the role of the assembly, liturgical space and the use of the arts; the liturgical year; pastoral planning; communication techniques and administrative skills; liturgical ministries.

6263—Liturgy and Sacraments
Theology of worship and the historical development of the public worship of the church with emphasis on the Eucharist. A survey of the seven sacraments. Basic liturgical principles for planning and celebration.

6271—Spirituality and Ministry
A study of Christian spirituality, spiritual growth and its integration with ministry; conversion, asceticism, prayer and mysticism, spirituality and social justice.

6272—Christian Sacraments
A study of the sacraments and sacramentality from several viewpoints including scriptural, theological, historical, and liturgical.

6273—Introduction to Spirituality
An overview of contemporary approaches to spirituality, especially within the Western Christian tradition; examination of the relationship between human and faith development.

6274—Introduction to Prayer
The nature and development of liturgical and private prayer in the Christian tradition, including the scriptural, theological, cultural, and psychological aspects of prayer.

6275—Spirituality and Culture
Various approaches to spirituality, particularly within Western Christian traditions, and emerging cultural paradigms which have potential for cultural revisioning and spiritual development.

6276—Movements in Western Christian Spirituality
A historical survey through the study of various spiritualities, including Augustinian, Benedictine, Franciscan, Devotio Moderna, Carmelite, Jesuit, Incarnational, and representative movements in the modern era.

6280—Theology of Church and Ministry
The development of a contemporary ecclesiology from which might flow a renewed understanding of ministry; models of church; relationship between charism and institution; and the emerging view of the post-Vatican II church.

6281—Introduction to Pastoral Studies
An articulation of a contemporary theology of ministry highlighting the spirituality of ministry; nature of ordained ministry; expansion of other ministries; and collaboration as an emerging approach to ministry; theological reflection models and methods.

6285—Program Planning and Evaluation
The pastoral knowledge, skills and attitudes for creative and successful program planning, management, and evaluation; personal and professional issues that enhance the witness value of the minister’s work.

62CS—Pastoral Project
Affords the student an opportunity to engage in a supervised project in ministry for the purpose of implementing theories and experimenting with new methods. Prerequisite: RSPI 6285.

6X99—Selected Topics (6199, 6299 or 6399).

6990—- Internship in Spiritual Direction
Off-campus program incorporating both content and supervised experience in the art of spiritual direction. With approval of the Director, this internship may be registered for three or six semester hours (RSPI 6390, 6690).

MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

The Master of Arts degree in Multidisciplinary Studies allows a student, with approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and Program Advisors, to design a degree plan that builds on personal interests, academic strengths, and career opportunities. The degree plan is made from courses in up to three academic disciplines that offer graduate programs. For example, a degree plan may be arranged thematically: a student might focus on contemporary American problems, combining courses in Education, Communication Arts, and Religious Studies. Another student might wish to combine courses from Nutrition, Education, and Biology in a degree that would enhance his or her career opportunities. The Dean of Graduate Studies and Research will serve as Program Advisor for this degree and will consult with the Program Advisors in the three fields that make up the MDS.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the general admissions criteria, the applicant must submit the following:

Degree requirements

The degree plan must be approved and signed by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and the Program Advisors for all disciplines involved before initiating any work toward the degree. The degree will include: