Certificate in Pastoral Administration

This cross-disciplinary certificate program is designed for students who seek to combine the principles of ministerial administration, human resource management and organizational development.  Based upon past education and experience, students choose one of four academic tracks, one of which results in a master's degree plus the certificate.

Program Outcomes

Students who complete the Certificate in Pastoral Administration will:

• Identify resources for management and evaluation of human, financial, spiritual and physical resources in implementation or pastoral planning.
• Adapt and integrate pastoral resources, theological content, and theories of organizational leadership for addressing questions and opportunities in ministerial leadership.
• Critique the effectiveness of principles of organizational models, ministerial administration and human resources management in situational ministerial problem solving.
  
  
  

Program Options and Requirements

Students select one of four curriculum tracks based upon education and experience.

 
Course Descriptions

RPS 500 Theology of Ministry and Pastoral Care (3)
This course introduces pastoral care and ministry, beginning with an overview of the history of pastoral care in the Christian tradition. Students focus on the particular kinds of pastoral care and ministry that have effected their own story. Panelists offer insights about the opportunities, challenges and graces that come with various ministerial commitments. This course concludes with an inventory of suggestions and services that are available to support the student as he/she moves through this program, such as spiritual direction, counseling and ministry involvement.

RPS 508 Theology of Community and Leadership (3)
This course deals with the theological, personal, interpersonal, organizational, and spiritual skills necessary to be an effective leader and change agent minister in the church today. Students explore contemporary theologies of church, examining the congregation as a system. Students explore leadership theory and praxis of forming vibrant communities of faith and wellness.

RPS 514 Spirituality of Leadership (3)
This course explores the relationship between one's personal spirituality and effective leadership. Further, it considers leadership in the workplace as a personal calling. The course explores one's innate desire for integrity of life, and examines the common good as both the purpose of business, and as necessary for human development. The good habits of acting, known as virtues, are considered. The application of virtue to practical situations in the workplace, and in the world at large, will allow the principles of Christian social teaching to be integrated with management theory.

BUS 600 Acctg & Fin Decision Making (3)
This course involves the preparation, analysis, communication, and interpretation of accounting information to decision-makers. This involves the presentation of accounting information from the perspective of the user, not the preparer. The emphasis is on what accounting information is, why it is important and how it is used by economic decision-makers.

COM 675 Organizational Communication (3)
Communication concepts and theories that describe and explain interactions among organizational members at all levels are examined in this course. Key to this examination is the opportunity for students to observe, analyze and practice effective interaction patterns. Topics of discussion include: upward, downward and horizontal communication; formal and informal communication (grapevine); superior-subordinate communication; performance evaluation; information overload; conflict and negotiation; power, politics, and influence; and organizational culture.

MGT 610 People in Organizations (3)
This course explores individual, group and organizational processes to increase understanding of self and others in organizations. Emphasizes awareness, self-development, and self-management in the context of organizational issues such as conflict resolution, negotiations, team performance, and leadership opportunities.

LGS 620/PRL 625 Legal Issues In Organizations (3)
This course includes a review of various legal issues found in organizations, including employer liability, employment contracts, discrimination, hiring practices, labor relations, and regulation by administrative agencies.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed Application.
2. A $50.00 non-refundable application fee payable to the College of Mount St. Joseph. 
3. Academic Transcripts: Official undergraduate transcript(s) from a regionally accredited college or university, with a baccalaureate degree noted, sent directly from the undergraduate institution. 

Financial Aid

The Mount Ministry Tuition Grant is available to any student enrolled in the Religious Studies graduate program who is a paid or volunteer minister serving in a congregation, hospital, health care facility, social service agency, diocese, or educational institution. This grant reduces tuition during the summer semester to $250 per credit hour and tuition in all other semesters to $300 per credit.