Student Testimonials: Transforming Lives Through Santa Clara’s Pastoral Ministries Programs

If you feel called to pursue a ministry education program, there's a lot to consider before submitting an application. You likely want a program that provides a strong foundation in theology and ministry while supporting your personal growth and professional goals. Ideally, your courses will deepen your faith, strengthen your leadership skills, and help transform your career.

The Graduate Programs in Pastoral Ministries (GPPM) at Santa Clara University is a purpose-driven suite of offerings designed for working professionals and faith leaders who want to deepen their ministry through education. The GPPM encompasses a Master of Arts degree, graduate certificates, diaconal formation, and pastoral enrichment workshops—all characterized by an integration of theological reflection and ministerial proficiency. Each of these pathways combines deep-rooted theological and pastoral formation grounded in the Jesuit tradition with all the advantages of a flexible, modern online learning model.

While a university's website can provide a wealth of information about the academic aspects of a program, learning about other students' lived experiences is key. The personal stories that follow here, testimonials from students and alumni of the GPPM, show how a positive online ministry degree experience changes people's lives and deepens their connection with God. You'll discover how the Jesuit approach, flexible online or on-campus formats, and supportive community have transformed students’ spiritual journeys, clarified their vocations, and prepared them for meaningful work in ministry.

Deepening Faith and Personal Growth

For Amy Cooprider (MA '26 candidate), a trip to Rome was a catalyst for growth.¹ Highlights of her journey included attending Mass in the personal quarters of St. Ignatius of Loyola and speaking with members of the Vatican Synod. At each stop, Cooprider let the Spirit guide her. She recalls, "Waking up and thinking, ‘Okay, this is what we have today,’ allowed me to be fully present. It was so fruitful and truly a pilgrimage."

The program also helps students like you become more confident and thoughtful pastoral leaders. In the summer of 2020, María Cristina Hernández (MA '24) learned about the importance of restorative circles while taking a class on Restorative Justice: Principles, History & Pastoral Ministry.²

After the murder of George Floyd in 2020,³ Hernández applied this knowledge to support her community. "I was able to lead restorative circles with parish leaders who were in a tremendous amount of pain," she says. "Out of this process, our Diocesan Racial Taskforce was born, and out of it the new African American Pastoral Center."

Like Cooprider and Hernández, you'll learn to bring your theological education into your daily work and community, deepening both your faith and your impact.

Vocational Clarity and Career Impact

One of the biggest ways pastoral education impacts your career is by opening new opportunities. Santa Clara's flexible graduate programs can help you launch your ministry career or expand it in ways that feel deeply meaningful.

Sister Sally Koch (MA '13) was always passionate about volunteering, and her theological education helped her discern her vocation.⁴ She reflects, "My spirituality and relationship with God grew exponentially through my experience in the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries (GPPM) at Santa Clara University." In 2020, this spiritual growth led her to take her first vows and join the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Meanwhile, Amy Cooprider (featured above) has embraced the pastoral lens in her existing role, becoming a stronger and more empathetic leader. "I want to make sure my employees thrive," she explains. While she's not sure where her journey will take her next, she's confident the Spirit will help her find the way. She adds, "I'm leaving myself open to molding and calling."

For Nathan Sheets (MA '21), learning about the relationships between God's people and the earth brought fresh ideas to his career.⁵ He remarks, "As an executive director of The Center, a growing homeless services organization, I've felt an ongoing call to allow my experiences within the GPPM to influence how we responsibly care for the people with whom we come into contact."

Whether you're ready to pivot into a new ministry role or deepen your impact where you're already serving, the GPPM can help you achieve your goals. Alumni have used the theological and personal lessons they've learned during their time in the program to pursue careers in chaplaincy, education, parish, and leadership.

Building Community Across Distance

The importance of community is paramount at Santa Clara. You'll find a sense of purpose and belonging in your faith-centered program, even when studying online.

For Nathan Sheets, some of his most meaningful connections happened in the virtual classrooms. "I can't express enough how much the deep trust of the women in this program (especially my classmates) meant to me," he says. "They consistently made me feel supported, loved, and valued."

María Cristina Hernández also enjoyed the cohort model, but her faculty mentors had the most direct effects on her career. Chaplaincy was one of the most meaningful courses she took in the GPPM. She reflects, "Our professor offered not only the theory and practice of the class but real sacred spaces for discernment and healing that allowed the class to go back to our 'day jobs' more resilient and better equipped to accompany those who were suffering."

This sense of community becomes part of your formation—shaping not just what you learn, but how you grow as a minister and leader.

Begin Your Transformation in Ministry

These testimonials highlight what's possible when you combine rigorous theological education with a supportive community of peers and faculty who understand ministry's demands. Through the MA in Pastoral Ministries program, you'll experience this same transformative approach to pastoral graduate education.

The program offers a flexible format that utilizes on-campus and online courses to accommodate your career, volunteer work, and other commitments. You'll deepen your theological knowledge as you take interactive classes, such as Introduction to Restorative Justice, Contemporary Issues in Moral Theology, and Psychological Issues in Spirituality.

You can also take advantage of the Rev. Francis L. Markey Center for Leadership & Ministry, which offers lectures and workshops for servant leaders who want to make a difference in their communities. Its programs will help you become a stronger advocate and more empowered leader in any ministry setting, from churches to prisons and schools.

If you're seeking an accelerated option, the Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice and Chaplaincy is a one-year program with six core courses focused on community engagement and healing through social justice initiatives. Should you decide to continue your studies, you can apply credit from all certificate courses toward the MA in Pastoral Ministries.

Begin the conversation today. Attend a virtual admissions information session and contact the admissions team directly to discover how the Graduate Programs in Pastoral Ministries can support your calling and prepare you to serve and lead in ministry.