Santa Clara University

Program History and Goals

The Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries was founded in 1983 to prepare women and men to enter into professional ministry in the Church. The Program at Santa Clara University offers a Master of Arts degree with five emphases: Catechetics, Catholic Education, Liturgical Music, Pastoral Liturgy, and Spirituality.

Students and graduates of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries serve in parishes, education, diocesan offices, and non-profits in a variety of roles such as:

• Catechists
• Directors of Religious Education
• Retreat leaders
• RCIA teachers
• Liturgy & Music directors
• Non-profit program directors
• Primary and secondary school teachers
• Catechists directing programs for children
• Students preparing for doctoral work

The Program offers courses during the academic year as well summer sessions from late-June through the end of July. The student body is richly comprised of Roman Catholics and Protestants, international students, laity, as well as priests and religious.

Our goal is to prepare women and men to be compassionate and competent professionals working to transform lives, schools, and communities.

We encourage you to explore the many opportunities offered by the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries by clicking here.