Various dynamics of leadership applied to pastoral ministry will be examined, including listening, affirming, and confronting.

In this introduction to systematic theology participants study the mystery of God as represented in the church's creeds. The historical foundations of faith as well as essential doctrines and their role in questions of contemporary cultures will be explored.

This course addresses key organizational and behavioral concepts that underlie effective pastoral administration in a moral framework. The course considers the expectations, needs, and performances of people in pastoral organizations, including volunteers, employees, and committee members. Facilities management and human resources are emphasized. This course is taken in the first year.

This course introduces learners to the fundamental structures and history of the Roman Catholic liturgy. Particular attention is given to the ritual nature of human experience, the Christian interpretations of ritual, and the liturgy as primary source of Catholic faith and identity.

This course considers the knowledge, skills, and moral principles that promote effective communications, public relations, and participant relations. Within the concept of pastoral mission, practical and comprehensive strategies for marketing, public relations, and charitable giving are studied. Also, the course will explore the unique and multiple constituencies that interact within pastoral organizations. This course is taken in the second year.

Today's pastoral administrators must grapple with both the laws of the Church and of society. This second-year course will introduce principles of each with the goal of giving participants the sufficient background in civil and ecclesiastical legal systems necessary for effective administration. In addition to a general comparison of Church and secular law, specific issues relevant to pastoral administration will be developed using both jurisprudence and practical applications.

Various styles of leadership and their relevance for invigorating the Catholic community will be examined. Particular emphasis is given to the development of individual leadership and to the organization, purpose, mission, and vision required to develop a faith community.

Participants in this course examine the theological underpinnings of seven major themes of Catholic social teaching. The intent of the course is to assist participants in designing practical applications of each theme at the parish level.  Emphasis is on parish social action which will build relationships across various social and economic barriers present in communities.

As an examination of the church's self-understanding, participants consider the singularly important doctrines of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and subsequent theological investigations and developments. Especially emphasized is the integration of participants' experiences with theological explorations and official Catholic teaching.

This course provides an understanding of basic accounting and financial principles as they apply to non-profit organizations. Parish and diocesan financial statements and reports will be interpreted and analyzed to understand and evaluate the financial condition of Roman Catholic organizations. The course will examine budgeting and cash flow projection processes used in parishes and the impact of budgeting decisions on financial statements. Current moral issues will be related in this course, which is taken in the third year.

In the third year of the program degree-seeking students focus on theological and administrative literature relevant to a pastoral issue of personal interest. Under the direction of a faculty mentor and a program director, participants develop an annotated bibliography and a formal presentation of research. This course is paired with either PM 510 Leadership in the Faith Community or PM 533 Social Action for Pastoral Ministers.