PM 500‑502 Introduction to Pastoral Theology (1 credit or 1.3 CEUs each)
Participants in diocesan lay ministry leadership schools will complete a tailored learning contract with the Institute in Pastoral Ministries. Completion of related contracts results in advanced placement for the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries.

PM 505 Human Relations in Ministry (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
Various dynamics of leadership applied to pastoral ministry will be examined, including listening, affirming, and confronting.

PM 510 Leadership in the Faith Community (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
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.

PM 520 The Church at Prayer (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
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.

PM 525 Christian Spiritualities (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
Practices that enhance being in relationship to God are examined. Cultural, denominational, doctrinal, physical, and psychological aspects are included.

PM 531 Canon Law for Pastoral Ministers (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
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.

PM 532 Christ Yesterday and Today (3 credits or 4 CEUs)
Catechists, preachers, and other ministers confront a wide array of modern thought on Jesus. This course examines mainstream Catholic thinking on the historical Jesus, the Christ of faith, the foundation of the church, and the meaning of salvation. The course will coordinate with insights learned in PM 540 Foundations in Theology and PM 560 Scripture. Students will find their horizons significantly challenged while still thinking with the church.

PM 533 Social Action for Pastoral Ministers (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
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.

PM 534 - 539 Special Topics in Pastoral Ministry (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
These occasional courses focus on technologies for ministry or other current interests of enrolled students. 

PM 540 Foundations in Theology (3 credits or 4 CEUs)
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. 

PM 550 Ecclesiology (3 credits or 4 CEUs)
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. 

PM 560 Scripture (3 credits or 4 CEUs)
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.

PM 570 Liturgy (3 credits or 4 CEUs)
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. 

PM 580 Sacraments (2 credits or 2 CEUs)
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. 

PM 590 The Church and Moral Issues (3 credits or 4 CEUs)
Participants study the past heritage of and current trajectories in the church that facilitate moral thinking, evaluating, and decision-making. Consideration of current moral issues that arise within the life of the People of God is integral to these investigations. 

PM 610 Integrated Pastoral Research I (2 credits, Master of Arts only)
Inaugurated with the IPR seminar during Summer I and completed prior to Summer II, the course requires participants to focus on theological and pastoral literature relevant to a pastoral issue of personal significance. Under the direction of faculty mentors, participants examine bibliographic resources, develop an annotated bibliography, and begin to analyze pastoral issues to be developed in IPR II. 

PM 620 Integrated Pastoral Research II (2 credits, Master of Arts only)
Inaugurated with the IPR seminar during Summer II and usually completed prior to Summer III, the course requires participants to write a proposal for their Integrated Pastoral Research project, to develop and to implement a creative pastoral project, and to prepare a draft of the Integrated Pastoral Research synthesis paper. The assistance of a Faculty Advisor is available throughout all phases of the course. 

PM 630 Integrated Pastoral Research III (2 credits, Master of Arts only)
Continuing the plan, practices, and writing from PM 620, this course is registered in Year III and concludes one's Integrated Pastoral Research. Assistance and approvals are provided by one's Faculty Advisor, a second faculty reader, and the Associate Program Director. Successful completion of all other courses and approval of the IPR by the Program Director authorize a student's graduation with the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries. 

PM 640 Continuous Enrollment I: Master in Pastoral Ministries (0 credits, Master of Arts only)
Learners who continue completion of the Integrated Pastoral Research into a fourth year register for this course in spring after their third residency. Full participation is required at the summer residency for daily library research and commensurate consultation with the Writing Center. Fee.

PM 650 Continuous Enrollment II: Master in Pastoral Ministries (0 credits, Master of Arts only)
Learners who extend completion of the Integrated Pastoral Research into a fifth “emergency” year fully participate in the summer residency for daily library research and commensurate consultation with the Writing Center. Fee.

PM 651 Pastoral Management and Administration (4 credits or 4 CEUs)
This course addresses key organizational and behavioral concepts that underlie effective pastoral administration in a moral framework. The course considers the expectations, needs, and performances of people in pastoral organizations, including volunteers, employees, and committee members. Facilities management and human resources are emphasized. This course is taken in the first year.

PM 652 Pastoral Public Relations, Marketing, and Philanthropy (4 credits or 4 CEUs)
This course considers the knowledge, skills, and moral principles that promote effective communications, public relations, and participant relations. Within the concept of pastoral mission, practical and comprehensive strategies for marketing, public relations, and charitable giving are studied. Also, the course will explore the unique and multiple constituencies that interact within pastoral organizations. This course is taken in the second year.

PM 653 Pastoral Accounting and Finance (4 credits or 4 CEUs)
This course provides an understanding of basic accounting and financial principles as they apply to non-profit organizations. Parish and diocesan financial statements and reports will be interpreted and analyzed to understand and evaluate the financial condition of Roman Catholic organizations. The course will examine budgeting and cash flow projection processes used in parishes and the impact of budgeting decisions on financial statements. Current moral issues will be related in this course, which is taken in the third year.

PM 654 Canon and Civil Law for Pastoral Administrators (3 credits or 2 CEUs)
Today's pastoral administrators must grapple with both the laws of the Church and of society. This second-year course will introduce principles of each with the goal of giving participants the sufficient background in civil and ecclesiastical legal systems necessary for effective administration. In addition to a general comparison of Church and secular law, specific issues relevant to pastoral administration will be developed using both jurisprudence and practical applications.

PM 655 Readings and Research in Pastoral Administration (2 credits, Master of Arts only)
In the third year of the program degree-seeking students focus on theological and administrative literature relevant to a pastoral issue of personal interest. Under the direction of a faculty mentor and a program director, participants develop an annotated bibliography and a formal presentation of research. This course is paired with either PM 510 Leadership in the Faith Community or PM 533 Social Action for Pastoral Ministers.

PM 680 Introduction to Canon Law (3 credits)
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.

PM 681 Church Structure: Universal and Particular (3 credits)
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.

PM 682 Persons and Rights in the Church (3 credits)
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.

PM 683 Sacraments in Canon Law (3 credits)
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.

PM 685 Temporal Administration of the Church (2 credits)
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.

PM 686 Chancery Ministry (2 credits)
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 frame a solution to specific questions. Areas of study 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.

PM 687 Tribunal Ministry: Processes and Cases (2 credits)
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.

PM 688 Penal Law and Disciplinary Proceedings in Canon Law (2 credits)
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. Withinthis 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.