Christian Spirituality (MA)
Drawing on the wisdom of the Ignatian tradition, the Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality equips students for meaningful and holistic living and ministry to meet the personal and social challenges of our time by deepening their knowledge of God and self. Joining contemplation to action, the Ignatian approach to spirituality and spiritual formation is grounded in a personal relationship with God/Christ, lived in the world and addresses the needs and issues of our time, ecumenical in its appeal to all Christians, and adapted to each person’s uniqueness.
The Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality is a 36-hour degree program which can be completed entirely online or by taking a combination of online and in-person courses. Students also have the opportunity to take IPS summer courses that include a 10-day experience in Rome, many of which fulfill requirements for the MA in Christian Spirituality. Full-time students can complete the MA degree in two years.
Students completing the MA in Christian Spirituality may choose to pursue a concentration in Spiritual Direction. The Spiritual Direction concentration is designed to prepare spiritual directors to facilitate the regular, on-going practice of accompanying people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine. Unique to the Institute of Pastoral Studies, students have the opportunity to receive training on how to direct and make use of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (30-day or 30-week format) in spiritual direction.
To learn more about the Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality, please complete our request for information form or attend an online information session.
The U.S. Department of Education requires any institution offering distance education/online programs to students outside of its home state to acquire authorization from the states in which students reside. Regulations vary from state to state. While Loyola University Chicago is authorized, exempt or pursuing authorization in most states, some restrictions apply. Please see our State Authorization page for the most up-to-date information.
Loyola University Chicago is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
The Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago (IPS), is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The Board of Commissioners of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) granted full accreditation to IPS on June 10, 2019.
The Association of Theological Schools
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh PA 15275-1110
Telephone: 412-788-6505
The following IPS degree programs are approved by the Commission on Accrediting: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality (Professional MA), Master of Arts in Counseling for Ministry (Professional MA), Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (Professional MA), and the Master of Arts in Social Justice (Professional MA) were also approved, as were our comprehensive online (distance education) programs.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum consists of a 12 course, 36 credit hour program comprising 9 core required courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Core Courses | ||
IPS 545 | The Foundations of Christian Spirituality | 3 |
IPS 416 | Introduction to New Testament | 3 |
IPS 417 | Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
IPS 531 | Christian Doctrine | 3 |
IPS 555 | Human Person and Psychological Development | 3 |
IPS 428 | Introduction to Spirituality Praxis | 3 |
IPS 403 | Spiritual Paths in World Religions | 3 |
IPS 512 | Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality | 3 |
IPS 572 | Ignatian Spirituality | 3 |
Electives 1 | 6 | |
Contextual Education Courses | ||
IPS 578 | Contextual Education Preparation | 0 |
IPS 579 | Contextual Education Introduction | 0 |
IPS 580 | Contextual Education I | 3 |
Integration Project | ||
IPS 593 | Integration Project | 0 |
Total Hours | 36 |
- 1
Electives (2 three-credit courses, or 6 credit hours) are chosen in consultation with the academic advisor. Electives may be taken in IPS or in many of the other schools, colleges, academic centers and institutes at Loyola University Chicago. See your academic advisor for more details.
Contextual Education
MA in Christian Spirituality students acquire and enhance their spiritual leadership and skills in a structured contextual education program that combines onsite mentoring and supervision, skill-based workshops, as well as peer and faculty weekly reflection sessions. Students typically minister 8-10 hours per week for a period of 20-22 weeks, for a total of at least 200 hours of onsite experience and formation. The field learning settings can be directly related to the student's present work situation or can be selected from placements IPS has cultivated in the resource rich area of Chicago or other settings around the nation or the world.
Students fulfill the Contextual Education requirement of the MA in Christian Spirituality by successfully completing the following 3 courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
IPS 578 | Contextual Education Preparation | 0 |
IPS 579 | Contextual Education Introduction | 0 |
IPS 580 | Contextual Education I | 3 |
Integration Project
MA in Christian Spirituality students complete the program with IPS 593 Integration Project, the zero-credit Integration Project, in their final year.
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 supercede school policies.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By completing the Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality, students will be able to demonstrate:
- Spiritual perspective formed in self-awareness and engagement with modern culture and the classic and contemporary resources of the Christian tradition;
- Spirituality literacy grounded in biblical, theological and psychological competencies;
- Spirituality praxis through personal engagement with the spiritual dimension of Christian faith, discipleship and ministry;
- Professional skills in and for spiritual accompaniment.