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Master of Arts in Ministry
Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM)
The Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) program is a flexible two-year professional degree designed to equip graduates to serve in a variety of pastoral settings. The curriculum forms the whole person for ministry. Studies in the Collegeville core provide broad intellectual formation for students, while pastoral theology coursework and field education attend to the human, pastoral, and spiritual dimensions of ministerial formation.
At a Glance
Formats
Online
In-Person
Hybrid
Length
2 Years
Application Deadline
Rolling
Professional Outcomes
Youth Ministry
Campus Ministry
Chaplaincy
Deacon
The Master of Arts in Ministry
As part of the laity, I felt called to ministry. I chose to study at the SOT/Sem because of its Benedictine charisms of community, hospitality, and conversatio. The SOT/Sem offered me a place to bring my questions, and in turn, it gifted me invaluable Benedictine ministerial formation.
The Master of Arts in Ministry
“God does not always call the qualified… he sometimes qualifies the called”. At 56 I earned my B.S. degree and applied to the SOT/Sem. I was accepted into the program and warily stepped into Emmaus Hall fairly clueless in what to expect. I asked myself what in the world was I doing with all these aspiring ministers and professionals? I bravely stuck with it and was so accompanied by the students, staff and community that my life radically changed! I am currently enjoying ministry as a hospital chaplain. Without the SOT/Sem, I am uncertain what I would be doing. My time there was invaluable.
Master of Arts in Ministry – Overview
The Master of Arts in Ministry degree requires the completion of 36 credit hours. The MAM Includes 21 credits in the Collegeville Core and 12 credits in pastoral ministry coursework. This program also contains Ministerial Formation requirements such as Field Education and Spiritual Direction/Companioning. This program, done full-time, will take two years to complete.
Degree Breakdown
Master of Arts in Ministry: 24 Credits
Collegeville Core
21 Credits
Collegeville Core
History of Christianity: 6 Credits Total
– Two Course Sequence
Sacred Scripture: 6 Credits Total
– New Testament Elective
– Old Testament Elective
Systematic Theology: 6 Credits Total
– Doctrinal Theology Elective
– Moral Theology Elective
Pastoral Ministry Track
– Theology and Practice of Ministry: 3 Credits
– Electives: 9 Credits
Formation
– Field Education: 3 Total Credits
– Discernment in Prayer: 0 Credits
– Spiritual Direction/Companioning: 0 Credits
Degree Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Ministry program will be able to:
- Accurately represent the Christian tradition and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Utilize practical theological skills to describe ministry situations and contexts, interpret situations theologically, and develop effective strategic responses.
- Demonstrate growth and integration in intellectual, spiritual, pastoral, and human formation for ministry.
- Incorporate the Benedictine charisms of biblical, liturgical, and communal life into their ministerial identity and practice.
Theological Integration
Academic Excellence
- Obsculta Journal – Each year students, with the oversight of a faculty member, publish a student journal of theology.
- Language Training – Saint John’s regularly offers coursework in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew.
- Alcuin Library – Home to the Saint John’s Bible and the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, Alcuin contains one of the largest theological collections in North America.
- Conference Support – Saint John’s financially supports students to attend conferences to hone their academic writing.
Spiritual Formation
- Midday Prayer & Convivium – Every Thursday students, faculty, and staff gather for an ecumenical midday prayer and shared meal.
- Monastic Horariums – Saint John’s Abbey and The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict pray the Liturgy of the hours every day.
- Spiritual Direction – While not required in the MTS curriculum, students are able to take advantage of Spiritual Direction with the monastic communities.
- Daily Mass – There are many options for daily Mass with in the local community, and Tuesday Mass is offered in Emmaus Hall.
Student Experience
- Community Retreat – Every year Saint John’s hosts a community day of retreat for all students, faculty, and staff.
- Student Government – Events are planned throughout the year by the student government for students.
- Student-Led Retreats – Student government hosts two student retreats a year, one in the fall and one in the spring.
- Embedded Experience – our graduate students have full access to the dining halls, sporting events, fine arts programming, weightrooms, campus ministry, etc. of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.
Application Process
Saint John’s uses a robust application software, Slate, for the application process. Prospective students will create a username and password, and then upload/request pertinent information directly into Slate. After beginning an application, students can log back into the application portal and check their progress.
If you have any questions/concerns about Slate and the admission process, please reach out to the Admission Office: [email protected]
Written Narrative
- Applicants are required to upload a typed narrative as a part of the application. This narrative should be about 800 words. The narrative should address the applicants professional and vocational goals, and their interest in studying academic theology, particularly at Saint John’s.
Resume/CV
Applicants are required to submit an updated résumé outlining personal, educational and professional backgrounds. This can be uploaded directly into the application portal, Slate.
Letters of Recommendation
- MAM applicants are required to submit 3 letters of recommendation, from educational or professional contacts, within the online application system. The MAM requires that 1 of the 3 letters must come from an employer who can speak to the applicant’s potential for ministry.
- Recommenders should be able to speak to the academic ability, leadership qualities, communication skills, and overall readiness for graduate theological study.
Transcripts
Official transcripts of post-secondary coursework must be sent from the Registrar’s Office to the Admissions Office.
Contact Information for Sending Transcripts:
Admissions at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary
P.O. Box 7288
Collegeville, MN 56321
Next Steps
Our Office of Admission is available to walk with you in your discernment. Whether you’re questioning which degree is the best for your personal, vocational, and professional goals or if you feel ready to start your application today, our team is prepared to accompany you through the process.