Our Programs

Program in Catholic School Teaching

The Master of Catholic School Teaching is a collaborative degree project involving the School of Ministry, and the Dallas Area Network for Teaching and Education (DANTE), a special project within the Department of Education committed to forming a Catholic "community of practice" both on campus and online where preservice and inservice teachers can construct what it means to teach...for the first time or all over again. Designed to lead, encourage, and support prospective and practicing Catholic school teachers in their efforts to become fully-informed, reflective, faith-filled educators for Catholic schools, the Masters in Catholic School Teaching (MCST) includes the religious education/theology and professional education courses necessary to satisfy teaching requirements as determined by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department for a) teaching religion/theology in grades 3K - 12 in Texas Catholic schools, b) teaching subjects other than religion/theology in grades 3K - 12 in Texas Catholic schools, and c) teaching religion/theology in Texas parish programs of religious education. The MCST also offers three focus areas:

• MCST for teaching all subjects, including religion, grades 3K-8 (Self-Contained)

• MCST for teaching religion/theology grades 6-8 (Departmentalized)

• MCST for teaching religion/theology grades 9-12

Program in Theological Studies

Designed to give students the tools for the practical application of theological knowledge, the Master of Theological Studies offers a course of study for those students interested in reflecting on seminal theological questions. In the M.T.S. program, students take seven core courses - Moral Theology, Liturgy and the Sacraments, Church History, Systematic Theology, Theological Reflection, Old Testament, and New Testament. In addition, students choose five elective courses in order to allow them to pursue their own theological interests.

• Concentration in Biblical Theology
  The concentration combines foundational bible and theology courses in School of Ministry with an intellectually rigorous approach to scripture. The degree requires 36 credit hours of course work, at least 18 hours of which will be scripture.
  
  Required scripture courses include Old Testament and New Testament. Students may choose from the following electives: Pentateuch, Prophets, Wisdom and Psalms, Synoptic Gospels, Fourth Gospel, Paul and Acts, Biblical Archaeology, and others.

Program in Religious Education

Our Master of Religious Education program prepares those students who wish to be Directors of Religious Education in their parishes. Every student in the Religious Education program takes a set of core courses as well as courses focused specifically on the principles or religious education. In addition, students in the program participate in a mentoring program, one that joins them to a professional minister in the local area to give them support, encouragement, and practical knowledge beyond their classroom experience.

Program in Pastoral Ministry

The Master of Pastoral Ministry Program equips those who wish to serve in the parishes of the dioceses of Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler and Shreveport with appropriate theological knowledge, pastoral skill, and spiritual depth. To meet the diverse pastoral needs of the surrounding diocese, the M.P.M. program has several focus areas:

• Campus Ministry
  Campus Ministers provide proactive ministerial services on college campuses, reaching out to young adults. This program prepares those interested in working with a population faced with the challenges of college life, and the often accompanying questions about faith, values, and using one's gifts.

• Family Ministry
  This recognized program for Family Ministry Certification is offered in cooperation with the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers, and the regional Family Life Network. This concentration enables participants to minister effectively to the particular needs of families in the 21st century. Upcoming specialization courses here.

• Healthcare Ministries
  Recognized by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, this focus area features on site Clinical Pastoral education(CPE) at Harris Medical Center in Fort Worth or Children's Medical Center of Dallas, combined with academic knowledge and a capstone project.

• Hispanic Ministry
  With emphasis on ministerial outreach to the Hispanic community, the program in Hispanic Ministry trains professionals to meet the needs of one of the fastest growing communities in the Church.

• Pastoral Life and Administration
  Intended to prepare Pastoral Associates and Parish Life Administrators, this focus area emphasizes the comprehensive needs of those assisting with parish leadership, administration, and faith formation.

• Youth Ministry
  This focus area provides the preparation needed to address the spiritual growth of youth in a parish or school setting. The program is offered in conjunction with the Center for Ministry Development and meets its requirements for the National Certificate in Youth Ministry.

• The University of Dallas and Center for Ministry Development
  have agreed to offer the Youth Ministry degree nationally. Click here to read the press release.

Program in Catholic School Leadership

The Catholic School Leadership Program teaches those skills necessary to be an effective administrator or teacher in area Catholic schools. The Program consists of a series of courses that bring the light of experience an critically accepted principles to bear on the tasks of being a leader in a Catholic school as well as a series of courses that are theological an pastoral in their orientation, bringing the light of faith to the role of school leadership. Students in the M.C.S.L. program are required to take four core courses in addition to eight courses designed specifically for training in successful Catholic school leadership.