Religious Studies
Campus Ministry Graduate Programs
The University of Dayton’s M.A. programs offer multiple forms of professional development in campus ministry including full degree programs and campus ministry certificates. Come to our beautiful campus, or if that is not possible, our synchronous hybrid program is perfect for you.
Earn an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry with a specialization in campus ministry in residence or in synchronous online courses. Residential graduate students in this program are eligible to apply for assistantships in the University of Dayton’s vibrant campus ministry program. They receive full tuition remission, room and board, a stipend, and invaluable professional experience. Students who complete this degree successfully have met the educational requirements for the Catholic Campus Ministry Association’s Tier Three Certification.
Already have an M.A. degree? The University of Dayton’s Post-Masters Certificate in Campus Ministry is ideal for you. This certificate provides theological enrichment and formation in ministry skills specific to a context of Catholic campus ministry. The certificate may be completed in residence or in synchronous online courses. Students who complete this degree successfully have met the educational requirements for the Catholic Campus Ministry Association’s Tier Three Certification.
If a full M.A. degree is not right for you at this time, the Certificate in Campus Ministry is ideal. It includes foundational courses in theological studies as well as formation in ministry skills specific to a context of Catholic campus ministry. Should you decide to pursue a full degree after completing the certificate, these credits will count toward your M.A. The certificate may be completed in residence or in synchronous online courses. Students who complete this degree successfully have met the educational requirements for the Catholic Campus Ministry Association’s Tier Two Certification.
Catholic Campus Ministry Association Certifications
Achieve educational requirements for a Tier 2 certification with the formal education requirements from our certificate programs, just six or 12 graduate credit hours from our department.
Achieve educational requirements for a Tier 3 certification with the formal education
requirements from either our M.A. in Pastoral Ministry or M.A. in Theological Studies.
Formal education requirements
Tier 1, Essential Certification: Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university.
Tier 2, Integral Certification: Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university plus 12 graduate credits in theology, religious studies or pastoral ministry from an accredited college or university OR bachelor's degree in theology, religious studies or pastoral ministry from an accredited college or university plus six graduate credits in in theology, religious studies or pastoral ministry from an accredited college or university.
Tier 3, Advanced Certification: An advanced degree beyond the bachelor degree (Ph.D., MBA, M.A., MSW, etc.) plus at least 18 graduate credit hours in in theology, religious studies or pastoral ministry from an accredited college or university.
Our programs are compatible with the Catholic Campus Ministry Association’s Standards for Campus Ministers in Human Formation, Spiritual Formation, Intellectual Formation and Pastoral Formation. Our faculty take special care to include elements of these standards within formation of our students not just in the classroom, but within Pastoral Ministry Seminar, Spiritual Formation, Colloquia, Retreat Opportunities, Opportunities for the Sacraments, and many opportunities for fellowship. All of this will support obtaining CCMA certification.
My Master's education has really provided me with a more solid foundation on which to do ministry. It has given me an entire network of people to reflect with and ask questions to, allowing me to remember we are all in the vineyard of the Lord together.
Students awarded campus ministry graduate assistantships receive full tuition remission, room, board and a stipend. Experience – Priceless!
Students enrolled in our Master of Arts and Certificate programs are eligible for three scholarship opportunities.