Sabbatical Programs
Sabbatical participants are invited to become involved in the liturgical life of the university in the way and extent that they prefer. Creative, inclusive liturgies and community celebrations are part of the sabbatical offerings. A major value of a sabbatical is the opportunity for reflection, consultation and personal enrichment. The Institute takes these "nonacademic" components very seriously. IPS offers a wide range of courses each year. In addition, it provides a variety of no-cost to low-cost, non-credit events. It also offers formation opportunities in the form of expert resources in pastoral counseling, spiritual direction and ministerial formation groups.
Purpose and goals
Individualized sabbaticals are a new approach. Some people seem to prefer a pre-designed program for the sabbatical, but many others would rather plan their own program. They are aware of the areas in which they are already knowledgeable and where they could use enrichment. They like the idea of developing their own combination of classroom work, personal reading, cultural enrichment and spiritual exploration. IPS is for these participants.
Preferred participants
Some people seem to prefer a program for priests or religious alone; many, however, would rather mix with other ministers in the church. They are excited by the prospects for shared ministry. They enjoy sharing vision and work inclusively with other vowed and ordained religious, as well as lay women and men. They are enthused by the idea of deepening their theological and pastoral education in such a setting.
Length
Sabbatical participants usually come to IPS for a summer, a semester or a year.
Dates
The Fall semester begins on the last Monday in August and ends in early December. The Spring semester begins on the first Monday in January and ends in the middle of April. The Summer semester begins in mid-June and ends in late July.
Content
IPS begins with an in-depth dialogue between the participant and a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor's job is not to propose a program or to approve it. Rather it is to understand the needs and learning goals of the participant and make him/her aware of the various resources available at the Institute. The participants then develop their own learning plan, choosing from among the many courses offered. Participants are put in contact with appropriate faculty if they prefer to pursue guided study. They may use the numerous formation resources and university opportunities mentioned above.
Courses at the Institute are divided into eight categories: pastoral theology, scripture, justice and ethics, spirituality, liturgy, religious communication, ministry, behavior and development, and religious education.
In addition, Chicago offers rich cultural opportunities.
Faculty/Staff
IPS includes Loyola professors, visiting lecturers and a variety of people, depending upon the programs and courses in which the participant is interested.
Costs
For those who take Institute courses for graduate credit, the 2008-2009 tuition is $655 per semester hour. (Most courses are 3 semester hours of credit for $1965). IPS also offers its innovative Postgraduate Tuition Reduction Program (click here) for a full description of this program and how to take advantage of it). This program allows ministers who have an existing master's degree in theology/divinity to take our courses for "audit" credit at half price. Thus, participants who do not need academic credit can take the courses of their choice for $327.50. per semester hour (or $982.50. per 3 credit hour course.) Various housing opportunities exist throughout the year.
