In addition to the seven foundational courses, all students take eight additional courses. If you choose to enroll in one of our degree emphases, four or five of those eight courses will be the required courses in that emphasis.
We currently offer three degree emphases: Latina/o Ministry, Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy, and Youth & Young Adult Ministries. Below, we describe each emphasis and provide course descriptions for each of the required courses.
Latina/o Ministry
Students interested in pursuing the Latina/o Ministry emphasis are required to complete the seven required GPPM foundational courses as well as four emphasis courses (course descriptions below):
- LATM 220: U.S. Latina/o Theology
- LATM 221: Enfrentamiento y Encuentro: History and Mission in Latina/o Perspective
- LATM 222: Latina/o Popular Religiosity and Its Ethics of Solidarity
- LATM 223: Latin@x Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Students take only four additional electives for the total of 15 courses (60 units), and complete a capstone portfolio or practicum.*
LATM 220 - U.S. Latina/o Theology
This course acquaints students with the historical development of Latina/o theology in the United States. Attention will be given to the works of representative U.S. Latina/o theologians and to the themes and concerns that these works address. A required course in the Latina/o Ministry emphasis (an elective for other students). Formerly PMIN 296; 4 units.
LATM 221 - Enfrentamiento y Encuentro: History and Mission in Latina/o Perspective
This course explores the colonial and postcolonial history of the Americas, and the role of the Catholic Church in this history. It examines the dynamics of the colonial encounter and the ambivalence of identity in the borderlands (the nepantla) that the colonial encounter creates. The course probes pastoral issues related to the creation of cultural borders, from immigration to detention to family separation, and considers the Christian imperatives of reconciliation and justice in light of these cultural realities. A required course in the Latina/o Ministry emphasis (an elective for other students); 4 units.
LATM 222 - Latina/o Popular Religiosity and Its Ethics of Solidarity
This course explores popular religious devotions, liturgies and practices in the Latina/o community in terms of both their origins and their dynamic roles in the imagination and activism of Latina/o communities. Explores the church, but also the home, the field, and the workplace, as sacred space. A required course in the Latina/o Ministry emphasis (an elective for other students); 4 units.
LATM 223 - Latin@x Youth and Young Adult Ministry
This course explores the particular issues and challenges of youth and young adult ministry in the Latin@x church, including the tensions between the individualism of U.S. culture and the importance of la familia, the challenges of migration and citizenship status for youth and their families, the difficulties of forming a cultural identity from a place between cultures, and questions over sexual issues and identities. A required course in the Latina/o Ministry emphasis (an elective for other students); 4 units.
Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy
Students interested in pursuing the Restorative Justice / Chaplaincy emphasis are required to complete the seven required GPPM foundational courses as well as five additional courses (course descriptions follow):
- RJUS 220: Introduction to Restorative Justice
- RJUS 221: Chaplaincy
- RJUS 222: Trauma and Healing in a Broken World
- RJUS 223: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System or RJUS 227: Integrative Chaplaincy
- RJUS 224: Intercultural and Interreligious Competencies
- RJUS 226: Ministering at the Margins
Students take only three additional electives for a total of 15 courses (60 units) and complete a capstone portfolio or practicum.*
There are two hubs for the emphasis in Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy in the M.A. in Pastoral Ministries. The southern hub location is in the Diocese of San Diego at the Diocesan Pastoral Center 3888 Paducah Drive in San Diego and serves students from all of the surrounding dioceses. The hub serving the dioceses in northern California is in the Diocese of Oakland at Cathedral of Christ the Light Parish in Oakland at 2121 Harrison Street.
RJUS 220 - Introduction to Restorative Justice
While retributive justice models focus on the criminal and the government, restorative justice widens the circle of stakeholders to victims, offenders and community members, whose needs may be met through the justice system and through pastoral ministry. This course introduces three pillars of restorative justice: harms and needs (to/of victims, communities and offenders), obligations resulting from and contributing to the harm (the offender’s obligations, but also the communities’), and engagement of those who have a legitimate interest or stake in the offense and its resolution. A required course in the Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
RJUS 221 - Chaplaincy
A foundational study of the chaplain ministry in hospital, hospice and homebound settings as well as settings of incarceration. This course includes pastoral education that develops spiritual care providers and educators skilled in delivering theologically informed, clinically competent, and culturally sensitive spiritual care within hospitals, correctional settings, congregations and the community. This course also introduces various models of chaplaincy: pastoral, spiritual, missional, educational, liturgical and prophetic. A required course in the Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
RJUS 222 - Trauma & Healing in a Broken World
This course focuses on the needs of victims of violence and the responsibility of society to help them heal. It examines the experience of trauma, particularly that experienced in early childhood, and its impact on criminal and violent behavior, in order to imagine meaningful and effective opportunities for change. It suggests cultural changes that recognize the rights and needs of all those impacted by crime and violence from within a restorative justice framework. A required course in the Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
RJUS 223 - Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
This course introduces the history, philosophy and practice of the discipline of corrections within the criminal justice system of the United States, with an emphasis on the institutions and practices found in contemporary California. It includes an overview of the genesis and dynamic evolution of the institutions and methods society uses to respond to crime, including the origins and nature of the prison-industrial complex and the disproportionate incarceration of people of color, particularly after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It offers a description of the organizations, structures and stakeholders that will be encountered by pastoral ministers. Additionally, students will become acquainted with the practice and limitations of advocacy on behalf of the populations they serve. A required course in the Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
RJUS 224 - Intercultural and Interreligious Competencies
This course on Intercultural & Interreligious Competencies, will prepare students to cultivate necessary theological, pastoral and ministerial skills to grow in this “true openness and dialogue” called for by Pope Francis to become Missionary Disciples. In this course, students through readings, discussions, papers and presentations will explore important intercultural and interreligious approaches and be able to acquire pastoral knowledge, skills and attitudes to serve effectively people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds in a wide variety of situations and pastoral settings like prison, jail, hospital, school, military unit and other related institutions. A required course in the Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
RJUS 226 - Ministering at the Margins
The servant leadership model of ministry is not only biblical, it represents the best of Christian tradition and history. It is also “marginal” by nature: lived along the edges of society. Informed by Jesus’ distinctive commitment to those who are ignored, overlooked or undervalued, as a prophetic vocation, ministering at the margins is a life-giving and precarious mode of faithful discipleship. The course explores theological sources that underlie the theoretical basis for pastoral care among marginalized populations, as well as case studies in street ministry. With an emphasis on practical applications, students engage in theological reflection while cultivating their pastoral skills for prophetic work among the people of God. 4 units.
RJUS 227 - Integrative Chaplaincy
Effective chaplains are pliable, intrepid caregivers. An integrative approach to chaplaincy equips ministers with the tools needed to navigate complex pastoral situations such as prisons, hospitals, and shelters. They must understand the differences between a dark night of the soul and a mental health crisis. Integrative chaplaincy focuses on helping individuals, families and communities mine their faith traditions for resources that promote healing and wholeness. In addition to essential spiritual care interventions, students will learn about the practice of self-care, a vital skill for chaplains who work in challenging environments. Students will also practice creative approaches to problem-solving within their unique pastoral setting. 4 units.
Youth & Young Adult Ministries Emphasis
Students interested in pursuing the Youth & Young Adult Ministries emphasis are required to complete the seven required GPPM foundational courses as well as five emphasis courses (course descriptions below):
- YMIN 220: Evangelization and Discipleship
- YMIN 221: Reimagining Youth Ministry
- YMIN 222: Reimagining Young Adult Ministry
- YMIN 223: Community, Ritual and Mission: Nourishing the Christian Life
- YMIN 224: Family, Relationships and Ministry
Students take only three additional electives for the total of 15 courses (60 units), and complete a capstone portfolio or practicum.*
YMIN 220 - Evangelization and Discipleship
In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis locates the call addressed to all Christians to become "missionary disciples" in the encounter with God’s love in Christ Jesus and the mission to "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Mt. 28:19). This course examines how that shared call is embodied by missionary disciples in ministry to youth and young adults. The first part of this course examines the scriptural and historical roots of evangelization and discipleship. It then explores the challenges of missionary discipleship in parishes, schools, and the world today as ministers discern the needs of those they serve and identify how those needs should shape ministry. Finally, it explores how disciples might be formed to be agents of interfaith cooperation in our religiously diverse world. A required course in the Youth & Young Adult Ministries emphasis (an elective for other students). Formerly CATE 213; 4 units.
YMIN 221 - Reimagining Youth Ministry
This course explores the historical and contemporary dimensions and challenges of ministry to people in middle school and high school (6th-12th grade). The first part of the course examines the principles, foundations and history of youth ministry and Pastoral Juvenil Hispana with adolescents. The second part of the course addresses the developmental needs of young people and studies their diverse cultural realities in contemporary society. The last section of the course offers practical applications for developing effective ministry and outreach strategies and investigates models of accompaniment of young people—whether active, unchurched or disaffiliated—as they explore their faith and beliefs. A required course in the Youth & Young Adult Ministries emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
YMIN 222 - Reimagining Young Adult Ministry
This course explores the principles and foundations of Young Adult Ministry, examines the needs of young adults at different life stages, and reimagines practical ways for developing effective models of ministry to young adults that enliven their faith and accompany them into missionary discipleship and leadership. A required course in the Youth & Young Adult Ministries emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
YMIN 223 - Community, Ritual & Mission: Nourishing the Christian Life
This course investigates the core elements for building welcoming, inclusive Christian communities as modeled by Jesus in his ministry. Approaching youth ministry work as a member of a pastoral leadership team, it also examines how to empower young people for their mission in the world by accompanying them into full life in their church community. In addition, this course explores the sacraments and rituals that foster a gospel spirituality and ministry engaged in reaching out to others, especially those in need. Specific attention will be given to the sacraments of initiation and vocation and the ways that these relate to mission. A required course in the Youth & Young Adult Ministries emphasis (an elective for other students). 4 units.
YMIN 224 - Family, Relationships & Ministry
This course equips students to provide leadership skills and strategies that empower the family and relationships. The minister will be trained to recognize and respond to the needs of persons at various stages of life in light of diverse expressions of family, gender, sexuality, relationships, and culture. Emphasis is placed on the minister’s role in accompanying families and sustaining life-giving relationships that animate the mission discipleship of the parish and community. A required course in the Youth & Young Adult Ministries emphasis (an elective for other students). Formerly PMIN 286; 4 units.
* International students interested in exploring the Practicum option should plan to meet with an international student advisor in the Global Engagement Office to discuss whether the project parameters require you to receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) advising.