Religious Studies

The College of Mount St. Joseph's graduate program in spiritual and pastoral care is designed to impart a deeper understanding of care-giving and its relationship to one's own religious heritage and spirituality, as well as the religious and cultural heritage of those served. Through increased awareness and understanding of self, others and tradition, the capacity to provide authentic and more meaningful care is enhanced. Pastoral care is the liberating and healing ministry of the faith community, involving men and women committed to providing spiritual leadership in a diversity of roles and contexts. Modeled on the ministry of Jesus in the Gospels, pastoral care is a theology of presence defined by healing, teaching, reconciling and nourishing.

Pastoral care is the integration of attention to the person, the Christian message, and the social systemic context. The overall goal is to nurture the wholeness and wellness of the spirit of persons and communities.

The graduate program in spiritual and pastoral care is built upon twenty years of expertise in pastoral education with the Religious Studies Department's bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry and master's degree in pastoral family studies. Pastoral care is rooted in 'caritas' or the charism of charity. This theological virtue is the core of our institutional mission as founded by the Sisters of Charity and the focal point of compassionate ministry in our world of diversity and complex systems interactions.

Catholic in tradition, Christian in environment and ecumenical in composition, the master's in spiritual and pastoral care is designed to enhance and integrate the interpersonal, systems and theological skills of healthcare professionals, educators, and ministers who serve with diverse populations and social contexts.

The Department of Religious Studies at the Mount retains nationally recognized experts from a variety of disciplines who bring their knowledge, skills and perspectives to the spiritual and pastoral care program. Small classes, academic advising and personal attention provide an environment conducive to learning, the development of pastoral competence and a true sense of community.

Potential Employers