Loyola University Chicago

Institute of Pastoral Studies

Online Learning Hub

Welcome to online learning at the Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) at Loyola Chicago!

Loyola Chicago offers prospective and current students helpful resources related to our online experience on the Online Learning Page.

IPS prepares people for spiritual leadership in church, society, and the professions. IPS offers transformative education for adult learners preparing for careers in pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, social justice, religious education and pastoral ministry.

IPS offers the following programs to be completed entirely online: MA in Pastoral Studies – General, Church Management, Religious Education, and Health Care Chaplaincy Concentrations, MA in Christian Spirituality and/or the Spiritual Direction Concentration, and the Master of Divinity program. Certificates available for distance learning include: Church Management, Religious Education, Social Justice, and Spiritual Direction.

Academic programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Higher Learning, North Central Association. IPS is a member of the Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Pastoral Studies Consortium.

All distance learning and onsite programs at IPS are accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).


Resources for Prospective Students

Online Programs