Which Program is Right for Me
The Institute of Pastoral Studies prepares students for spiritually grounded leadership, ministry, service, and counseling in a changing church and world. Whether you have a clear vocational goal or are still discerning your next step, IPS offers several pathways for integrating graduate education with your professional, ministerial, and spiritual development.
IPS is currently accepting applications to four graduate degree programs and one graduate certificate program:
- Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS)
- Bilingual Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (Spanish-English)
- Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MAPC)
- Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Students may also pursue the MDiv–MAPC dual degree.
Preparing for Ministry and Pastoral Leadership: MAPS
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) provides broad preparation for ministry and faith-based leadership. It integrates theological study, spiritual and human formation, and the practical skills needed to serve communities effectively.
The MAPS may be a good fit if you are preparing for ministry in a parish, diocese, school, health care setting, nonprofit organization, or other faith-based or community context. The flexible curriculum also allows students to select courses that support their particular vocational and professional goals. The MAPS degree can completed entirely online. Full-time students will complete the degree in 2 years and part-time students typically complete the degree in 3 to 4 years.
Preparing for Comprehensive Ministerial Leadership: MDiv
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) offers IPS's most comprehensive preparation for ministerial leadership. It combines sustained theological study with spiritual formation, pastoral practice, and the development of the skills needed to lead and accompany communities.
The MDiv may be the best fit for students seeking broad and deep formation for professional ministry, ecclesial leadership, chaplaincy, or other forms of sustained service within the Church and society. The MDiv degree can completed entirely online. Full-time students will complete the degree in 4 years and part-time students typically complete the degree in 5 to 6 years.
Preparing for Ministry in Bilingual and Bicultural Communities: Bilingual MAPS
The Bilingual Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies prepares students for ministry and leadership in bilingual and bicultural contexts. Offered fully online in Spanish and English, the program integrates theological education with human, spiritual, intellectual, and ministerial formation.
This program may be especially appropriate for those serving or preparing to serve Spanish-speaking and bilingual communities in parishes, dioceses, schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and other settings. This fully online cohort-based degree program begins in the summer with one class and then continues with 2 classes per semester (including summers) for two years.
Preparing for Professional Counseling: MAPC
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MAPC) integrates professional counseling preparation with attention to the spiritual and religious dimensions of human life. The program brings together counseling theory and practice, psychological understanding, and theological and spiritual perspectives.
The MAPC is designed for students whose primary vocational goal is professional counseling and who value an approach attentive to the whole person. The degree meets the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor in Illinois and 43 other states. Out-of-state students considering professional licensure should review requirements for the state in which they intend to practice. The MAPC degree can completed entirely online. Full-time students will complete the degree in 3 years and part-time students typically complete the degree in 4 to 5 years.
Combining Ministerial Leadership and Counseling: MDiv–MAPC Dual Degree
Students seeking substantial preparation in both professional ministry and counseling may pursue the MDiv–MAPC dual degree. The program combines the comprehensive ministerial formation of the MDiv with the specialized counseling preparation of the MAPC, creating a distinctive pathway for those whose vocations bring together pastoral leadership, spiritual care, and counseling.
Optional Ministry Focus Areas in the MDiv and MAPS
Rather than formal concentrations, IPS offers optional ministry tracks that will help MDiv and MAPS students use electives and other elements of their degree programs to prepare for particular areas of ministry.
Two tracks are currently available:
The Justice Ministry track will support students seeking to integrate theological reflection, Catholic social thought, and practical approaches to social justice, advocacy, community organizing, and social transformation.
Chaplaincy will support students preparing for spiritual care and professional chaplaincy in health care and other institutional settings.
Additional information about the curriculum and requirements for these optional tracks will be available as plans are finalized.
Interested in Spiritual Direction?
IPS continues to offer the Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction, with the appropriate educational pathway depending upon a student's previous preparation.
If you already have significant prior ministry formation, you may apply directly to the Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction. The certificate provides focused preparation for the ministry of spiritual direction through academic study, supervised practice, and spiritual formation.
If you do not yet have substantial prior ministry formation, you should apply to either the MAPS or MDiv and incorporate Spiritual Direction preparation into your degree. The Spiritual Direction Certificate requirements can be fully integrated into the MDiv curriculum. MAPS students can complete the Spiritual Direction requirements with one additional course beyond the MAPS degree curriculum.
An IPS advisor can help you determine which pathway is most appropriate based on your previous education, formation, ministry experience, and vocational goals.
Still Deciding?
Discernment is part of the process. Our faculty and enrollment staff are happy to help you think about your goals, previous experience, and the kind of preparation that will best support your vocation.
Complete our Request Information form, attend an IPS information session, or contact our IPS Enrollment Advisor to begin the conversation.