Explore the Possibilities with
a Post Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies
Overview
The Post Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies is a 30-credit hour, fully online program designed to give students, who hold a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies, an opportunity to advance their academic standing and concentrate on an area of Pastoral Studies.
The certificate offers areas of concentration in the following:
- Apologetics
- Marriage and Family Studies
- Pastoral Counseling
- Spiritual Direction
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- Catechetical Ministry
This is a flexible program, designed to prepare students for subsequent licentiate or doctoral work, or for integrating a pastoral component into their lives and professions.
Career Opportunities
- Catholic School Teacher
- University/College Professor
- Diocesan Directors
- Parish Ministry Directors
Looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid? We’re here to help.
Post Master’s Certificate
Pastoral Studies
- Online
- Eligible for transfer credits
3 to 6 years
Program Length
30
Total Credits
$426
Per Credit Hour
December 6
Application Due
January 4
Online Start Date
Ready to Apply?
Take your next step toward your success and your future!
“Catholic theology, taught in a manner faithful to Scripture, Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium, provides an awareness of the Gospel principles which will enrich the meaning of human life and give it a new dignity.”
– Pope St. John Paul II, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, 20 –
The Certificate Core
The candidate for the Post Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies may compose his or her program from any graduate level courses he or she wishes, as long as five core courses are included:
1. PAS 805 Trinity & the Incarnation
2. APO 512 Apologetics
3. APO 535 Moral Apologetics
4. DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics
5. PAS 602 Fundamentals of Practical Theology
Concentration Courses
In addition to the require Pastoral Studies Core, student must select three of the following eight courses from their area of concentration
Post Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies Sample Certificate Plan
Concentration Information
At Holy Apostles, you decide your passion!
With 6 concentration options, you’ll have the opportunity to study what you feel most passionate about!
Not sure what that might be? No problem! We’re here to help you discern!
Apologetics
Catechetical Ministry
Marriage & Family Ministry
Pastoral Counseling
Spiritual Direction
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Electives
Capstone Paper
Apologetics
- APO 520 Adapting Evangelization to Hispanic Cultural Contexts (Fall)
- APO 540 The New Atheism (Summer)
- APO 565 Reading Science in the Light of Faith (Fall)
- APO 631 Social Media and the New Evangelization (Fall)
- DTH 645 Nature and Grace (Spring)
- PAS 660 Thanatology (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 511 Mission and Evangelization (Spring, Summer)
- PAS 785 Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality (Fall, Spring)
Catechetical Ministry
- APO 512 Apologetics (Every)
- APO 535 Moral Apologetics (Fall, Spring)
- DTH 645 Nature and Grace (Spring)
- PAS 651 History and Foundations of Catechesis (Fall-Even Years Only)
- PAS 653 Child and Adolescent Catechesis (Spring)
- PAS 720 Nurturing the Domestic Church: Facilitating Authentic Marriage, Family Life and Spirituality (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 841 Catholic Social Teachings (Every)
- PAS 891 Methods in Teaching (Fall)
Marriage & Family Ministry
- CLA 715 Canon Law of Marriage (Spring)
- DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics (Summer)
- MTH 681 Theology of the Body: Sexual Difference and Complementarity (Fall)
- PAS 605 Intercultural Competencies (Fall)
- PAS 621 Pastoral Care of Marriage and Family (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 660 Thanatology (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 785 Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality (Fall, Spring)
- PAS 841 Catholic Social Teachings (Every)
Pastoral Counseling
- PAS 641 Methods in Counseling (Fall)
- PAS 660 Thanatology (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 683 Pastoral Counseling I: Spiritual Helping and Accompaniment (Spring; prereq., PAS 641)
- PAS 684 Pastoral Counseling II: Spiritual Diagnosis and Accompaniment (Summer; Pre-req., PAS 641; PAS 683)
- PAS 700 Christian Life Together in the Presence of Human, Physical, and Intellectual Impairments (Fall)
- PAS 785 Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality (Fall, Spring)
- PAS 791 Morals and Psychology (Summer)
- PAS 891 Methods in Teaching (Fall)
Spiritual Direction
- CHH 631 Mystical Theology and the Church Fathers (Spring)
- DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics (Summer)
- DTH 645 Nature and Grace (Spring)
- DTH 890 Spiritual Theology (Spring)
- PAS 621 Pastoral Care of Marriage and Family (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 660 Thanatology (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 671 Spiritual Direction: Skills and Practice (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 791 Morals and Psychology (Summer)
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- APO 512 Apologetics (Every)
- APO 535 Moral Apologetics (Fall, Spring)
- DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics (Summer)
- DTH 645 Nature and Grace (Spring)
- PAS 607 Contemporary Youth Culture (Spring)
- PAS 660 Thanatology (Fall, Summer)
- PAS 785 Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality (Fall, Spring)
- PAS 791 Morals and Psychology (Summer)
Elective Information
*Select any two additional courses that you have not already taken from those listed in any of the concentration options.
Capstone Paper
Upon completion of the course work for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Studies, the student prepares, in consultation with the MAPS Director, a 30-page Capstone Paper outlining a Case Study in one’s area of concentration.
During the final semester of coursework or the semester following completion of all courses, PMC students enroll in the 0-credit Capstone Paper Directed Study with a faculty advisor. The PMC Capstone Paper is a 30-page academic research paper written on a topic related to the student’s concentration area and approved by the faculty advisor. The paper’s format follows the current Thesis Guidelines. To enroll in the Capstone Paper Directed Study, the student submits an application and proposal following the format in the Thesis Guidelines to the Summative Evaluation Coordinator who will assist in assigning a faculty advisor for the Capstone Paper. The student submits the application and proposal the semester before the student intends to begin the 0-credit Capstone Directed Study. PMC students are expected to complete the Capstone Paper in one semester. Please see the Tuition and Fees page for current fees for the PMC Capstone Paper Directed Study.
Who Is This Program For?
• You!
• Those Working in Ministry
• Those Desiring to Pursue Work in Ministry
• Catholic School Teachers and other Educators
• Catholic Professionals
• Nurses, Therapists, and other Health Care Professionals
• Counselors and Spiritual Directors
• Marriage and Family Coordinators
• Youth Ministers
• Parents who Homeschool their Children
• Coordinators of Religious Education Programs
• Everyone Wanting to Grow in Knowledge and Love of the Catholic Faith
FAQ
Is this an Online Program?
Yes, our 100% online courses make the certificate program flexible for working and busy individuals. All certificate programs may be completed 100% online.
How do I apply?
Applicants for the certificate program should follow the Graduate Admissions procedures.
Is Holy Apostles College & Seminary accredited?
Holy Apostles College and Seminary is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the Connecticut Office of Higher Education (CTOHE), and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). For more accreditation information visit here.
Are the Faculty members faithful to the Magisterium?
All members of the faculty who teach theology and philosophy must be approved by the Chancellor, make a Profession of Faith, and take an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium.
Who is the Program Director?
Program Director:
Dr. Edward Trendowski, etrendowski@holyapostles.edu
Teaching Faculty:
For a full listing of our faculty, please visit Faculty Listing
FAQ
Is this an Online Program?
Yes, our 100% online courses make the certificate program flexible for working and busy individuals. All certificate programs may be completed 100% online.
How do I apply?
Applicants for the certificate program should follow the Graduate Admissions procedures.
Is Holy Apostles College & Seminary accredited?
Holy Apostles College and Seminary is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the Connecticut Office of Higher Education (CTOHE), and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). For more accreditation information visit here.
Are the Faculty members faithful to the Magisterium?
All members of the faculty who teach theology and philosophy must be approved by the Chancellor, make a Profession of Faith, and take an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium.
Who is the Program Director?
Program Director:
Dr. Edward Trendowski, etrendowski@holyapostles.edu
Teaching Faculty:
For a full listing of our faculty, please visit Faculty Listing
What You’ve
Been Looking For
An authentically Catholic education should be available to everyone.
Time and cost should not stand in your way.
You deserve the highest quality academics that are both convenient and affordable.
Let Holy Apostles set you on the path to achieving your goals.
Why Holy Apostles
Flexible & Online
Holy Apostles makes a quality education accessible. You can complete your degree any time, anywhere. Our small class sizes make learning easier, providing personalized attention from our excellent faculty.
Tuition you can afford
At Holy Apostles, we believe that a debt-free graduate is a gift to the Church. We are one of the most affordable colleges recommended by the Cardinal Newman Guide.
FAITHFULLY CATHOLIC
The Catholic university is “born from the heart of the Church,” as St. John Paul II stated in Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
From its very foundation, Holy Apostles College & Seminary has dedicated itself to proclaiming the truth and forming our students to do the same.
Explore the Possibilities
Looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid? We're here to help.
Speak to your personal Admissions Counselor today for more information.
Admissions Phone :
860-632-3000
Admissions Email:
admissions@holyapostles.edu
Contact Information