600 | Foundations of Christian Understanding | 3 hours
This course will introduce and examine the philosophical and theological concepts fundamental to Pastoral Ministry, concepts which will be utilized throughout the MAPM program. Students will be introduced to the importance and role of philosophy in theology, the reasonable nature of belief in God, the reality that God and a relationship with Him is the fulfillment of the human person, and the Church's teaching on the human person.

602 | The Art of Pastoral Ministry | 3 hours
The course will focus on the overview of the MAPM program with an emphasis on integration. Each session will be based on themes which will position the topics in the context of the overall program. The elements of Vatican II will be reviewed, setting the stage for all the courses within the program. The course will also focus on the societal dimensions of ministry based on theological principles. The realities of these principles will be discussed in the context of our baptismal call and related to the living reality of the parish and diocesan church. Specific topics to be covered include Theology of Ministry, Christian Spirituality, and Leadership in Ministry.

621 | Old Testament | 3 hours
This course will introduce and briefly study the 46 canonical books of the Hebrew Scriptures. The books of the Bible, as well as their themes and context in the Old Testament, will be reviewed. The course will pursue this study through the presentation of the basic principles of Biblical interpretation, with prominent use of the historical-critical method of exegesis. This study will demonstrate the Bible as foundational to Christian life and prayer.

622 | New Testament | 3 hours
This course will explore the 27 canonical books of the Christian Scriptures. The books of the Bible, as well as their themes and context in the New Testament, will be reviewed. The course will pursue this study through the presentation of the basic principles of Biblical interpretation, with prominent use of the historical-critical method of exegesis. This study will demonstrate the Bible as foundational to Christian life and prayer.

629 | Evangelization and Catechesis | 2 hours
This course explores the Church's ministries of evangelization and catechesis. Topics to be studied include the nature and theological foundations of evangelization and catechesis, learning theory and catechesis, the catechumenal model of catechesis, the catechetical process and methods, adult faith formation, and the relationship between evangelization, catechesis and the Church's mission.

630 | Church History | 3 hours
This course provides an overview of the development of Christianity from the apostolic period through the life of the Church in the 21st century. The origins and subsequent history of the Christian peoples will be studied, as well as their doctrines and institutions. This course provides a perspective on the origins of numerous aspects of Christian faith including life and worship, the sources of division among Christians, and other important topics essential to the understanding of Christianity.

639 | Christology | 2 hours
This course studies the center of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ, who through his life, death, and resurrection reveals God to human persons. Particular attention will be given to New Testament christologies, the question of the "historical" Jesus, the development of christological doctrines in the early church, and the significance of the aforementioned for contemporary christologies. Within the christological context, then, the articulation of the doctrine of the trinity will briefly be studied. Current issues in trinitarian theology and pneumatology will also be discussed with a view to how they affect ministry in the Church today.

640 | Ecclesiology | 3 hours
This course will explore the theology of the Church, using metaphors. The significance of the Second Vatican Council and its influence on Ecclesiology also will be explored. Specific models of the Church will be examined with a special emphasis on ecumenism. The major documents of the Second Vatican Council will be reviewed as well. The course will also give an introduction to Church order and law.

649 | Christian Spirituality | 2 hours
This seminar exposes students to the various facets of spiritual life and formation. It will introduce students to theological reflection on issues in spirituality and the role such reflection plays in ministry.

650 | Liturgy and Sacraments | 3 hours
This course will examine the theological foundations of Christian liturgy as well as pastoral approaches to planning and fostering good liturgical celebration. This includes the nature of worship, Jewish liturgical tradition and its influence on Christian worship, a historical understanding of Christian liturgy, and the planning of liturgical celebration. The sacraments also will be covered emphasizing the signs of salvation flowing from them, Christ, and the Church.

679 | Perspectives on Marriage and Family | 2 hours
This course will explore the vocation of Christian marriage, its place in the Church, and its encounter with society. Matrimony and family issues will be studied in light of Catholic ecclesiology and the psychological and social sciences. Current social and cultural attitudes as they relate to marriage will be explored in the context of fashioning a healthy community of the married Church.

680 | Moral Theology | 3 hours
The theological and philosophical foundations of morality will be surveyed and approaches to moral development will be considered. Foundations of the Christian moral life will be studied including freedom, moral agency, moral norms, and moral reasoning. The place of Scripture, Tradition, and authority in moral decision-making will be discussed. Contemporary moral issues will be approached from both a theological and pastoral perspective.

690-691 | Ministry Discernment I, II | .5 hours
The purpose of these two courses is 1) to give students the opportunity to dialogue with the MAPM Director and/or other faculty members about possible Practicum projects and 2) to submit a written proposal for their intended project. During each summer residency, first-year students will meet with the program Director to begin the process of discerning for themselves a meaningful Practicum experience, one that will integrate the MAPM academic curriculum with their own ministry interests. By the end of the residency the student will submit a preliminary outline stating, in general, what the student would like to pursue for their practicum and why they believe this experience will be helpful for their own future ministry. During their second summer residency, students will meet once again with the Director to finalize the details of their Practicum proposals and determine (as closely as possible) when they will submit their final papers. If accepted, each student's proposal will act as the "contract" between the student and Practicum Director in terms of determining the student's grade. These courses will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

700 | Practicum | 3 hours
The student will complete approximately 45 hours of supervised pastoral work at a site agreed upon by the student and the student's Practicum Director, and complete an essay (of a length to be determined by the student and Practicum Director) in which the student integrates insights from the academic portion of the program with his or her Practicum experience.