Institute for Ministry Formation at
Saint Vincent College & Seminary
Saint Vincent College & Seminary
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Degrees & Academic Programs
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Certificate programs are open to ordained clergy, seminarians, religious, and lay students. These are 1-2 year programs leading to a graduate certificate. They are designed to equip students with core theological, spiritual, pastoral formation for use in active ministry or to pursue more advanced graduate studies. The programs are flexible so as to accommodate those working in active ministry and/or the working professional. Courses are mainly online and can be taken in any sequence unless otherwise specified. Students may elect to complete their studies with a certificate, or they may elect to apply these credits as a specialization in the Master of Arts in Ministry degree program. As the Association of Theological Schools states:
Schools are welcome to offer these credentials before or within graduate programs as they wish and may include such credentials as a stackable option, as long as the school attends to the Commission’s expectations regarding non-degree programs (Standard 3.15) as well as the expectations of the particular graduate degree program. (Guidelines for Reduced-Credit Master’s Degrees, 2020.)
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the Institute for Ministry Formation at Saint Vincent College and Seminary offers:
- Spiritual Direction Formation Program
- Catholic Theology Certificate
- Catechetics Certificate
- Pastoral Care Certificate
- Master of Arts in Ministry Degree with Specialization
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Spiritual Direction Formation Program
The Spiritual Direction Formation Program is open to clergy, religious and lay students seeking to help others grow in faith through offering them the one-on-one ministry of spiritual direction. This is a two-year program. The curriculum consists of three major areas of study: spiritual direction dynamics, foundations in theology and psychology, and a mentored practicum. The primary purpose of the program “is to equip persons for competent leadership in some form of specialized ministry in congregations and other settings.”— (The Association of Theological Schools Bulletin 50, Part 1, 2012, G-45, B.1.1).
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Catholic Theology CertificateThe Catholic Theology Certificate is offered for clergy, religious and lay students ready to receive a deeper understanding of the Catholic Faith. These concepts will also draw special attention to how theology and Church doctrine can be applied to practical ministry. Students pursuing the Catholic Theology Certificate will take courses in Scripture, Theology, Ecclesial and Pastoral Ministry, and will have options to take courses on Spiritual Direction and/or Missiology.
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Catechetics CertificateThe Catechetics Certificate takes a scriptural, liturgical, contemplative approach to catechesis. The contemplative dimension is necessary for fostering the proper disposition in the heart of the catechist. The catechist must be a person who knows Jesus Christ personally. Throughout the curriculum, students receive “suitable biblical, theological, pastoral and pedagogical formation to be competent communicators of the truth of the faith” and as a program requirement they will have spent 10 hours of observation to gain “experience of catechesis.” Although the certificate program focuses specifically on the laity, the courses offered in the curriculum and indeed the entire curriculum is certainly enriching for bishops, priests and consecrated religious as well, who also have a responsibility for catechesis.
Special Program in Collaboration with the Diocese of Greensburg:
The Diocese of Greensburg, in cooperation with the Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF), offers a robust formation program for adults interested in growing in faith, in deepening their knowledge of the faith, and in developing skills for ministry in faith formation. The Institute for Ministry Formation offers the highest quality of graduate education through courses taught by professors that are highly experienced and acclaimed for their excellence. This formation program, in collaboration with the Diocese of Greensburg, builds on the IMF’s Certificate in Catechesis and provides some additional advantages. Learn more about this by clicking here.
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Pastoral Care CertificateThe Certificate in Pastoral Care is designed to form laity and clergy for competent, faithful, and compassionate accompaniment in ecclesial, human services, and healthcare settings. The program centers on the inherent dignity of the human person created imago Dei, called to communion with God and others. In fidelity to the principle that grace builds upon nature, the curriculum integrates psychological insight and pastoral theology. Coursework addresses human development, counseling foundations, legal and ethical responsibilities, clinical and functional assessment, trauma-informed care, addictions, family systems, and individual and group counseling, equipping graduates to respond skillfully to human suffering.
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Master of Arts in Ministry Degree with SpecializationThe Master of Arts in Ministry Degree Program consists of a certificate in Catholic theology stacked or paired with another certificate in a specialized area of ministry. Coursework, together with a comprehensive exam, demonstrates the student’s knowledge and ability to integrate principles of theology into active ministry. The written comprehensive exam measures the candidate’s knowledge of general theological principles and the application of theology to the area of specialized ministry
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degrees & Academic PRogramsKnow your options as you navigate your curriculum
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Academic certificate For-Credit ParticipationStudents in programs for academic credit will earn an academic certificate that is a recognized, graduate level credential designed for those who want to use their studies for professional advancement.
The IMF offers Academic Certificates for Spiritual Direction Formation Program, Catholic Theology Certificate, Catechetics Certificate and Master of Arts in Ministry Degree with Specialization. Students must have a bachelor's degree or higher and they must complete graduate-level course work in each course and receive a passing letter grade (C or higher). The official academic certificate received will serve as an academic credential for use at other institutions and demonstrate readiness to a bishop or pastor for offering spiritual direction.
This option is ideal for students who need a formal academic credential for professional ministry, who plans to transfer credits toward a future degree, or whose job requires graduate-level theological training and a letter grade.
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Letter of completion ParticipationStudents in programs without academic credit will earn a Letter of Completion. This is an ideal option for anyone seeking personal enrichment or practical ministry training without the demands of formal graduate study.
The IMF offers Letters of Completion for Spiritual Direction Formation Program and Catechetics. Students are expected to learn the material by doing the assigned readings and participating in lectures and discussion posts, but they do not need to complete the more rigorous academic requirements of exams and research papers. Students must complete each course in the program with a passing score (70%). Students do not need pre-requisite degrees to enter the program. At the end of the program, students will receive a letter of the program completion that can be shown to a pastor or bishop to demonstrate that they have the Institute's official approval that they are ready to offer spiritual direction.
This option is ideal for lay leaders, volunteers, or those seeking theological formation without academic credit.
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