Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Development (M.A.)
The MA in Social Justice and Community Development provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for social activists, faith-based practitioners, and community development professionals. This cross-denominational, interdisciplinary program engages students through a faith- and values-based perspective and provides:
- An interdisciplinary foundation in justice theories and religious social teachings.
- A comprehensive, integrated curriculum, useful for various career paths in community development and social justice.
- Practical tools in community organizing, social analysis and change, communication and non-violence, advocacy in public policy, working with volunteers, grant writing, and fundraising.
The degree is designed for those aspiring to affect faith-based, social transformation in communities as well as to those committed to restoring economic equity, social justice, and ecological health in a variety of community and organizational settings.
Concentrations
Curriculum
Prerequisites
Dual Degree
Post-Graduate Certificate Program
CONCENTRATIONS
Students in the program choose from two concentrations.
- The Social Justice Concentration is designed for those who are relatively new to the field of social justice and community development. This concentration is especially relevant for recent graduates looking to acquire practical skills that will help them become community leaders and agents of social change.
- The Community Development Concentration is ideal for those with experience in the field of social justice and community development. Through Loyola’s partnership with the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), the program offers an integration of theory and practice to help students build valuable relationships and empower communities.
SCUPE was established in 1976 to address the growing need for urban pastors to become more effective agents of social change. Using experiential education, SCUPE programs are designed specifically for seminary students, grassroots community leaders, and pastors.
CURRICULUM
Social Justice Concentration
This 36-credit hour program includes 12 three-hour courses. Students can begin the degree program in any academic term. Full-time students can complete the program in four academic terms, including summers. Part-time students have five years within which to complete the degree. The following eight courses are required for this degree:
- IPS 532: Social Context (ChSt 400)
- IPS 610: Social Justice Foundations: Philosophical, Religious, and Theological Bases for Social Justice
- IPS 620: Diversity and Equity: Issues in a Sociocultural and Political Context (SW 502; ChSt 401)
- IPS 625: Justice and the Global Economy (PH 470)
- IPS 635: Community Organizing and Community Development (SW 509)
- IPS 660: Leadership in Social Justice Organization
- Internship I-IPS 640: Beginning Action-Reflection in Context (e-learning connection to IPS faculty)**
- Internship II-IPS 641: Advanced Action-Reflection in Context (e-learning connection to IPS faculty)**
Four electives in pastoral theology and social justice issues complete the degree. Examples of pastoral theology courses include: Prophets, Liberation Theology, Moral Theology, and Catholic Social Teachings.
Examples of courses in social justice issues include: War and Peace: Bible, Theology, and Practice; Environmental ethics; Economic and Worker Rights; Urban Issues; Class and Poverty: Bible, Theology, and Practice; Domestic Violence: Bible, Theology, and Practice; Race and Gender/Sexuality: Bible, Theology, and Practice; and Human Rights.
Students will document learning experiences in conflict resolution, human relations skills, and cross-cultural/multicultural immersion by program completion. These learning experiences can be completed through elective course work or not-for-credit experiences.
IPS is committed to personal growth and spiritual development as part of degree completion. IPS offers opportunities for spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, small pastoral reflection groups, and other events which provide possibilities for healthy ministry in justice settings.
**Students will select their two-semester internship site early in the program. A diverse number of internship sites will be available from non-profit, governmental, and corporate situations, but students must apply for these internships and be selected by the sites. Students may submit a site of their own choosing, but it must be approved by Loyola. Internships for this degree are not primarily service positions: they involve student interns in the work of systemic change, social advocacy, and community organizing. All approved internships must demonstrate the site's readiness to support such involvement.
Community Development Concentration
This 36-credit hour program includes twelve three-hour courses. These twelve courses include three course requirements shared with Social Justice students, four course requirements for Community Development students only, a specialized track* of three courses chosen by students according their interests, and two electives from throughout the program.
The following is a representative example of the completion of required classes:
- IPS 620: Diversity and Equity (SW 502) (Common course)
- IPS 423: Principles and Processes of Community Development (CD requirement)
- IPS Applied Research Methods (CD requirement)
- IPS Historical Perspectives of Community Development (CD requirement)
- IPS Ethical Dimensions of Community Development (CD requirement)
- IPS 635: Community Organizing (SW 509) (Common course)
- IPS Faith, Justice and Public Policy (Congregational-Based Community Development Track)
- IPS Wholistic Strategies for Congregational-Based Community Development (Congregational- Based Community Development Track)
- IPS 660: Leadership in Social Justice Organizations (Common Course)
- IPS Congregational-Based Community Economic Development (Congregational-Based
Community Development Track)
Six credit hours of electives complete the degree.
* Specialized Tracks for Spring 2010 include Congregational-Based Community Development and Social Justice.
PREREQUISITES
There are no formal prerequisites for this program and no academic testing requirements. However, applicants must demonstrate in their personal statement and letters of recommendation their commitment and dedication to social justice. Specific reference should be made to academic coursework and out-of-classroom involvements such as immersion experiences, service trips, participation in social justice, environmental, and peace advocacy groups and campaigns. Admission to this program is competitive, and applicants will be selected on the basis of both academic readiness for graduate work and demonstrated interest and involvement in social justice groups and projects.
DUAL DEGREE
The MA in Social Justice and Community Development can be pursued in collaboration with a Master of Social Work (MSW). Offered by IPS and the School of Social Work, this dual-degree program provides students with tools for a career in social justice or community development, as well as the credentials to become a licensed social worker.
POST-GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
IPS offers an advanced certificate program in Social Justice and Community Development. This program prepares people for faith-based leadership in social advocacy, community and labor organizing, and systemic social change. A master’s degree is required, preferably in pastoral ministry or theology. Students may substitute some courses for others, with the approval of the program director, in order to avoid redundancy or to create specialized professional focus.
For more Information about admission requirements, deadlines, and contact information, click here.
