Divinity and Social Justice (MDiv/MA)
As of Fall 2026, this program is no longer accepting applicants.
This dual-degree program provides the student with a comprehensive background in ministerial leadership (through the Master of Divinity, M.Div.) and specialist competencies in the field of social justice (through the MA in Social Justice).
To learn more about the M.Div. and the MASJ degrees, please complete our request for information form or attend an online information session.
Related Programs
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Requirement 1 | ||
| IPS 400 | Introduction to Graduate and Professional Writing | 0 |
| Reflective Critical Understanding | ||
| Context | ||
| IPS 555 | Human Person and Psychological Development | 3 |
| IPS 532 | Social Context of Ministry | 3 |
| Scripture | ||
| IPS 417 | Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| IPS 416 | Introduction to New Testament | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Pastoral Theology | ||
| IPS 570 | Introduction to Theology and Ministry | 3 |
| IPS 531 | Christian Doctrine | 3 |
| IPS 402 | Church and Mission | 3 |
| IPS 615 | Liberation Theology | 3 |
| Ethics | ||
| IPS 553 | Moral Theology and Christian Ethics | 3 |
| IPS 551 | Social Ethics in the Catholic Tradition | 3 |
| Spirituality & Liturgy | ||
| IPS 541 | Liturgy and Christian Sacraments | 3 |
| IPS 545 | The Foundations of Christian Spirituality | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Ministerial Practice | ||
| IPS 560 | Liturgical Leadership | 3 |
| IPS 660 | Leadership in Social Justice Organizations | 3 |
| IPS 564 | Foundations of Pastoral Care | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Social Justice Issues/Skills | ||
| IPS 635 | Community Organizing and Community Development | 3 |
| IPS 625 | Social Ethics: Politics and Global Economics | 3 |
| IPS 610 | Foundations of Social Justice | 3 |
| Social Justice Electives 2 | 6 | |
| Contextual Education | ||
| IPS 578 | Contextual Education Preparation | 0 |
| IPS 579 | Contextual Education Introduction | 1.5 |
| IPS 580 | Contextual Education I | 1.5 |
| IPS 581 | Contextual Education II | 3 |
| Spiritual Development | ||
| Formation – Complete on final page of chart | 0 | |
| Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) 3 | 0 | |
| Midpoint Review (after the completion of ½ course work) | 0 | |
| IPS 593 | Integration Project (the last course of the program) | 0 |
| Total Hours | 78 | |
- 1
If required at the time of admission
- 2
Any IPS course for which the student has met course-specific prerequisites. All electives should be chosen in consultation with their academic advisor
- 3
Suggested Sequence of Courses
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| IPS 417 | Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| IPS 551 | Social Ethics in the Catholic Tradition | 3 |
| IPS 610 | Foundations of Social Justice | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| IPS 416 | Introduction to New Testament | 3 |
| IPS 570 | Introduction to Theology and Ministry | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IPS 402 | Church and Mission | 3 |
| IPS 564 | Foundations of Pastoral Care | 3 |
| IPS 660 | Leadership in Social Justice Organizations | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| IPS 531 | Christian Doctrine | 3 |
| IPS 560 | Liturgical Leadership | 3 |
| IPS 635 | Community Organizing and Community Development | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IPS 541 | Liturgy and Christian Sacraments | 3 |
| IPS 530 | Clinical Pastoral Care Registration | 0 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| IPS 578 | Contextual Education Preparation | 0 |
| IPS 532 | Social Context of Ministry | 3 |
| IPS 553 | Moral Theology and Christian Ethics | 3 |
| IPS 565 | Pastoral Leadership | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IPS 579 | Contextual Education Introduction | 1.5 |
| IPS 545 | The Foundations of Christian Spirituality | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 7.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| IPS 580 | Contextual Education I | 1.5 |
| IPS 615 | Liberation Theology | 3 |
| IPS 625 | Social Ethics: Politics and Global Economics | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 10.5 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IPS 581 | Contextual Education II | 3 |
| IPS 555 | Human Person and Psychological Development | 3 |
| IPS 593 | Integration Project | 0 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 78 | |
Dual Degree Programs
Students in dual degree programs are responsible for abiding by academic policies and graduation requirements of both academic units to which they are enrolled. It is strongly recommended that students schedule regular meetings with academic advisors from both units to ensure timely degree completion. Dual degree programs may have slightly different degree requirements from the standard for one or both of the degrees earned. Students should closely read through all degree requirements and ask for clarification as needed.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to interpret pastoral circumstances in relation to scripture, tradition, and human sciences; (Theology/Religious Heritage). [MDiv]
- The ability to engage, transform, and/or critique social, economic, political, and ecclesial realities of our day in order to address the changing landscape of ministry. (Cultural Context) [MDiv]
- The ability to engage the relevant dimensions of Christian faith, discipleship and ministry with interpersonal, spiritual, and ecclesial maturity. (Maturity/Personal Formation) [MDiv]
- The ability to be present to the person and community’s condition and environments by developing skills to discern and describe the ministry required; (Skills/Ministerial Leadership) [MDiv]
- The ability to construct ministerial vision and formulate ministerial strategies to effect personal and community transformation. [MDiv]
- The ability to critically analyze and apply principles of social analysis to interpret contemporary justice issues and propose ethically grounded responses. [MA]
- The ability to conduct a contextual social analysis of a justice issue, identifying structural causes, institutional dynamics, and power relations, and synthesize relevant evidence to inform strategies for social change in diverse settings. [MA]
- The ability to design, facilitate, and assess a community organizing or organizational change initiative using broad-based organizing methods and adaptive leadership practices appropriate to faith-based and nonprofit contexts. [MA]
- The ability to integrate academic learning with reflective practice and articulate one’s vocational identity and a practical approach to justice-rooted leadership. [MA]