Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies
The M.A.P.S. at PTS
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (M.A.P.S.) is a flexible, two-year degree hybrid program that equips students for congregational ministry careers and pastoral positions in other settings. The MA in Pastoral Studies curriculum provides flexibility for students to define a ministry-oriented course of study and to learn in their current context and in Pittsburgh.
The pastoral studies program provides grounding in core disciplines and the ability for a student to select from a variety of ministerial electives to suit their interests and vocational needs.
To complete the Pastoral Studies program, each graduate student learns to illuminate Scripture, Christian history, and theology to their ministerial context and completes the degree with a year of field education and a final project. To customize their pastoral ministry degree, students can pursue the Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry.
“Many times, the best learning occurs in the casual conversations before and after class. Students can ask whatever questions are on their mind.”
CAREERS FOR PASTORAL STUDIES GRADUATES
- Pastoral Ministry
- Chaplaincy
- Religious Education
- Non-profit Leadership
- Spiritual Direction
MAPS SEQUENCE
Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies courses are generally three credit hours. When followed on a full-time basis (12-13.5 credits/semester, plus required J-Terms), the M.A.P.S. program is completed in two academic years.
PASTORAL STUDIES LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate pastoral studies coursework equips students with the skills needed for ministry leadership across a variety of settings, including congregations and nonprofit organizations.
- Demonstrate a capacity to integrate Scripture, Christian history, and theology in relation to the life of the church in the world.
- Demonstrate a capacity to exegete and interpret the Church’s various contexts as the location of God’s mission
- Demonstrate an understanding of Christian ministry using biblical, historical, theological, and contextual insight.
- Demonstrate the ability to narrate an understanding of pastoral formation in relationship to the practices of ministry.
- Demonstrate the ability to participate in God’s work of enacting racial justice by describing and resisting the sin of racism.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HYBRID PASTORAL STUDIES PROGRAM AT PITTSBURGH SEMINARY
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree at Pittsburgh Seminary empowers graduates to embark on fulfilling careers in Christian ministry. This pastoral ministry degree features a flexible curriculum and the option to complete the degree on a part-time basis. Students can customize their degree program with in-person and online courses in the hybrid program.
