Pastoral Leadership Certificate

About the Pastoral Leadership Certificate at Loyola

Loyola's flexible Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Leadership provides a strong foundation and comprehensive knowledge in pastoral care, Christian theology, and scripture to individuals at different stages of their pastoral ministry journey.

The program offers a wide range of elective courses taught by expert faculty from the Loyola Institute of Pastoral Studies. The curriculum can be tailored to your experience and vocational goals, whether you are exploring a call to pastoral ministry, considering a career change, seeking to expand your knowledge and skills in pastoral theology, or looking to advance in your pastoral ministry as a volunteer or professional.

Program Structure

The Pastoral Leadership Certificate can be pursued full-time or part-time. Classes are held weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago, and many of the courses are also offered online.

Why Choose Loyola for Your Pastoral Leadership Certificate?

The Loyola Pastoral Leadership Certificate meets you wherever you are on your journey in pastoral care. You will benefit from experienced faculty in the ATS-accredited Institute of Pastoral Studies and a community that will support you in discerning and intentionally moving toward your vocational goals.

A flexible program

Earn your certificate in person, entirely online (depending on which electives you choose), or a mix of both in-person and online courses.

Of the five required courses for the certificate, you will work with your advisor to choose four electives that best suit your background, experience, interests, and goals.

Take steps toward your vocational goals with intentionality and in community, whether you are discerning a call to pastoral ministry or seeking to supplement your education. In each class, you will benefit from learning from and alongside people with a broad range of experiences, backgrounds, and goals.

By completing the Pastoral Leadership Certificate, you will earn a graduate-level credential you can roll directly into a master’s degree program to continue your education and formation for ministry.

You will earn your certificate through the Institute of Pastoral Studies, a renowned global hub for educating and forming diverse and dynamic leaders in ministry who are committed to creative, compassionate, and courageous service to church and society.

Meet the Faculty

Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Institute of Pastoral Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Pastoral Leadership Certificate program.

Faculty and Staff

Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide Pastoral Leadership Certificate learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic Catalog

Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.

Tuition and Costs

The estimated tuition and fees for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate totals $12750.00, or 15 credit hours at a cost of $850.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid & Scholarships

More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid page.

Appointments and Events

Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

Schedule an Appointment

The Institute of Pastoral Studies offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

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Visit and Connect With Us

With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.

Fall, Spring, & Summer
Rolling admission

Recommended Deadlines
Fall: July 15
Spring: December 10
Summer: April 15

Final admission is 10 days before the start of classes

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate include:

  • Official Transcripts

  • 2 Letters of Recommendation

  • 3.0 Minimum GPA

  • Statement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose Details

Please submit a 1,500-word essay describing your personal, educational, professional, and ministerial background and how these have prepared you for the specific MA or Certificate program for which you have applied. In your essay, also address the following:

  • Prior undergraduate or graduate study in theology or philosophy, if any

  • The ways in which your professional life and any volunteer service have emphasized spiritually, community and social justice

  • A theological book(s) that has helped to shape your understanding of your proposed vocation and course of study

  • Your vision of ministry, your strengths relative to this vocation, significant influences on your faith life (including minsterial mentors or role models), and the professional context in which you see yourself working upon completion of your program

  • Why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Loyola's IPS

Official Documents

Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.

International Applicant Requirements

An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.

Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.

International Applicant Requirements
Start Your Application

Applying online to the Pastoral Leadership Certificate program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.

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