This course provides a comprehensive overview of the Lasallian studies approach. The course prepares students for graduate study by providing an overview of independent learning, emphasizing academic writing and research, structuring the process of writing integration papers, and demonstrating the use of instructional technology.

In order to provide evidence of integrated learning and achievement of the program outcomes, students write a paper that applies the program of study to their Lasallian ministry. The form of this paper is varied and may include completing a research study, an application project, and/or another form of contribution to the Lasallian scholarship. This final work is presented to a group of peers and faculty, and formal dissemination is encouraged.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits in Lasallian Foundations. This requirement may be achieved by completing one of the international or regional formation programs, independent study, and/or course work. In order to receive graduate credit for international or regional Formation Programs, the student must write an integration paper to demonstrate graduate level integration of the concepts presented by the programs. Below are the integration paper requirements and credit values for each program:

Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI):
    One week plus
    One integration paper     3 cr.
International Association of Lasallian Universities (IALU):
    Two weeks plus
    One integration paper     6 cr.
Lasallian Leadership Institute (LLI):
    Four credits per year plus
    Three integration papers     12 cr.
Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies:
    Six credits per year plus
    Three integration papers     18 cr.
CIL/SIEL (Rome-based):
    1-12 months, individually calibrated     var. cr.

Various dynamics of leadership applied to pastoral ministry will be examined, including listening, affirming, and confronting.

Various styles of leadership and their relevance for invigorating the Catholic community will be examined. Particular emphasis is given to the development of individual leadership and to the organization, purpose, mission, and vision required to develop a faith community.

This course is designed to assist pastoral ministers in preparing and leading the church in communal prayer. Learners examine the principles, patterns of worship, and pastoral goals in liturgical planning. Special attention is given to the role of lay liturgical leadership in the assembly and other settings. PM 570 Liturgy is prerequisite.

Practices that enhance being in relationship to God are examined. Cultural, denominational, doctrinal, physical, and psychological aspects are included.

The Code of Canon Law of 1983, which contains 1752 canons, seeks to formulate in as precise terms as possible the governing laws which are necessary to the Church's salvific mission. Participants must first understand the origins and history of canon law. Against this background, the principle points made in the seven books of the Code of Canon Law of 1983 are explored, with greater emphasis given to those areas with practical applications in ministry.

Participants in this course examine the theological underpinnings of seven major themes of Catholic social teaching. The intent of the course is to assist participants in designing practical applications of each theme at the parish level.  Emphasis is on parish social action which will build relationships across various social and economic barriers present in communities.

These occasional courses focus on technologies for ministry or other current interests of enrolled students.

In this introduction to systematic theology participants study the mystery of God as represented in the church's creeds. The historical foundations of faith as well as essential doctrines and their role in questions of contemporary cultures will be explored.

As an examination of the church's self-understanding, participants consider the singularly important doctrines of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and subsequent theological investigations and developments. Especially emphasized is the integration of participants' experiences with theological explorations and official Catholic teaching.

Participants explore both the forms and contents of Scripture in order to begin to uncover its theological meaning for the life of the church. The course also will consider the social and historical contexts of biblical books.

This course introduces learners to the fundamental structures and history of the Roman Catholic liturgy. Particular attention is given to the ritual nature of human experience, the Christian interpretations of ritual, and the liturgy as primary source of Catholic faith and identity.

This course considers the principle of sacramentality that informs Catholic faith and pastoral theology, and examines the seven sacraments as expressions of this Catholic world view. Theological and historical foundations are emphasized, with particular attention given to their pastoral and catechetical implications.

This introduction will focus on the purpose, the concepts, the terms and the historical context of canon law. It will present the basic organization and structure of the Code of Canon Law. It will explain how canon law complements and is complemented by Roman Catholic ecclesiology and moral theology. Participants will experience a team-taught course that especially introduces the rights of a baptized person, the purpose of authority and the limits of the legislation. By using a team-taught approach, the course will provide an introduction to Church law that fosters an appreciation of the breadth of canonical styles. The principles that govern the application and interpretation of canonical regulations will be explained. As an introductory experience, this course will provide the tools to understand subsequent courses.

This course studies the organizational structure of the Church. The authority of the Roman Pontiff, the college of bishops, cardinals, and the congregations and departments of the Roman Curia will be examined. The nature and organization of a diocese, the pastoral office of the local bishop, and diocesan offices will be studied. Emphasis will be given to the laws concerning parishes, pastors, pastoral ministers, and parish consultative bodies. This course will equip the diocesan and parish ecclesial minister with the knowledge and understanding required for ministry.

After an introduction to the concept of juridic persons, this course will cover the essential rights and duties of persons in the Church. Particular attention will be given to Vatican II source documents, the Lex Fundamentalis as now found in Book II of the Code of Canon Law, and the procedural rights which protect persons in the Church.

After discussing the principles of liturgical law, this course treats the canonical norms of each of the sacraments of the Church. The recipient of the sacrament, the minister of the sacrament, and the laws governing the administration of each sacrament will be explored. Special emphasis is given to the sacrament of matrimony.

The goal of this course is for learners to grasp the basic canonical and civil rules which govern the administration of goods possessed by the Catholic Church. The concept of a juridic person both in the canonical and civil sense will be developed. The right to possess and dispose of ecclesiastical and non-ecclesiastical property will be studied, including the distinction between sacred and nonsacred ecclesiastical goods. The relationships of United States civil law and canon law will be studied, especially as they impact contracts, employment relationships, and ecclesiastical office.

This course will focus on the norms of the Code that are used in the central administration of the diocese, especially personnel, finances, and diocesan policy. The Code of Canon Law will be understood as a resource which provides purpose and direction in diocesan administration as well as a context within which to analyze and to frame a solution to specific questions. Areas of concern include: faculties for ministry, appointment of a parochial administrator, stipends, removal from ecclesiastical office, sale of Church property, association with the diocese while using the word 'Catholic’, access to files, liturgical practices, and supervision of catechesis.

After describing the judicial authority of the diocesan church as exercised by those persons appointed to the diocesan tribunal, this course will focus on the various judicial processes exercised by the tribunal. An emphasis will be placed on marriage cases, which constitute the bulk of a tribunal’s caseload. Participants will survey applicable law to include allocutions of the pope, Rotal jurisprudence, and comparisons with United States civil law. The person completing this course will be equipped with a basic knowledge of the tribunal’s judicial role and its pastoral function as a primary outreach of the Church to divorced persons.

The overarching purpose of the system of criminal law and penalties in Church law is the restoration of communio, that is, to bring back the lost relationship with the community of God’s people. Of equal purpose is the protection of the common good. The identification of crimes and the consequent sanctions are intended to reform the sinner as well as to protect the community. Within this context, the entirety of Book VI and the relevant portions of Book VII of the Code of Canon Law will be studied. The distinction between internal and external forum will be emphasized. Technical concepts such as excommunication, interdict, and suspension will be clarified. The course will study what is regarded as criminal behavior in the Church and the options that the Church community has for responding. Foundational canonical concepts will be discussed, such as the presumption of innocence, the right of defense, and recourse to a higher authority. The developing jurisprudence and praxis in the area of sexual abuse of minors will be explained.

The educational theories, including those of Maslow, Piaget, Kohlberg, Gesell, Jensen, Erickson, and Vygotsky, are studied to describe the typical and abnormal development patterns of children from birth to adolescence.  These theories are used to describe students in the current work environment. Early warning signs of mental health disorders, abuse and/or addiction are identified.

Effective classroom management methods which establish positive environments focused on learning are studied. Principles of child growth and development, brain compatible learning, and cultural competence are applied to create an equitable student-centered environment. 

National and state standards, selected curriculum design models, knowledge of content, and child development are used as tools to develop curriculum with considerations for diversity in culture, gender, and aptitude/achievement.  Course and unit plans are developed/refined within a student’s specific academic area.

Methods and tools for diagnosis, evaluation, and grading of student learning are studied.  Strengths and limitations of various types of assessments are examined. Classroom assessments that are aligned to standards, curriculum, and instruction are planned, created, and used. Assessment data to monitor student progress, inform continuing instruction, and assign grades are analyzed and interpreted.

Please contact program director for course description.

This course helps students understand the role of spirituality in the life of the Catholic school educator. The key historical, educational, and legal issues specifically pertaining to Catholic schools are identified. Relevant research impacting school effectiveness at local, diocesan, and national levels is studied.

This course addresses the ministerial foundations of Catholic school teaching from three distinct theological disciplines: Christology, Ecclesiology, and Ministry. The Christology component investigates both the historical Jesus of Nazareth and the eternal Christ of faith. The Ecclesiology component explores the nature of Church in its history and self-understanding. The Ministry component develops the notion of Christian ministry rooted in baptism and called forth by local community, especially in the area of teaching.

Independent study may be designed for those students who wish to explore a specific area of Lasallian content in more depth. Examples may include: Applied Lasallian Pedagogy, Lasallian History, Lasallian Spirituality, Current Lasallian Contexts, International Lasallian Studies, Special Populations, Catholic Social Justice. Lasallian mentors will work with students to design independent study course work and assess the completion of the work.