Master of Pastoral Studies and Master of Criminology & Justice (Online)

Complete online with no fee. Applicants to this dual degree program will apply to the LIM and the Counseling degree programs separately. While you need to apply separately, the admissions offices in both programs will work to minimize the duplication of admissions materials; for example, only one set of transcripts needs to be sent to the university. Please contact Judy Fontenot Lavergne jflaverg@loyno.edu so your application will processed as smoothly as possible.

Your statement of educational purpose will enable the Admission Committee to understand your reasons for applying to the Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM) and your ability to benefit from our programs. It should also give you, the applicant, some clarity about why you seek admission to this program and so should assist you in your own discernment process. This statement should be an essay

• 600-1200 words in length
• double-spaced
• word-processed

Please state as clearly as possible your reasons for seeking your specified type of study (master's degree, continuing education or graduate certificate, or non-degree). What has led you to pursue your studies, and how do you think they can help you grow in a current or future ministry? Or, for those who do not now consider themselves to be in ministry, how do you think they can help you explore faith and its implications for the Church and world today?

You may include any additional information about yourself that you believe would assist the Admission Committee in evaluating your work, academic and ministerial background, as well as information that will aid the committee in assessing your ability to engage in this graduate-level ministry education program.

Those who have been away from academic writing for a while sometimes find this an anxiety-producing project. It need not be. Think of it instead as an opportunity to tell your story. What have you done in your life that has led you to decide to apply, and what do you hope to get out of this study opportunity? Surely you will get out of this opportunity more than you anticipate, but it is good to set down on paper your initial thoughts in part because doing so will help you as you discern further study.

Your degree must have a minimum of 2.50 G.P.A. as well as any subsequent academic work (undergraduate or graduate) from an accredited college or university, verified by official transcripts mailed by the academic institution(s) that granted the bachelor’s degree and any subsequent credits. Early in the application process, please request that official transcripts from the university or college be sent to avoid a delay in receiving an admission decision. Electronic transcripts sent directly from the issuing college or university are acceptable.

Your résumé should include professional and/or voluntary ministerial responsibilities

These forms are to be completed by people who have observed you in a work, ministerial, or educational setting. The application form asks you to give the contact information of your recommenders, who will be asked to complete the form online or on paper.

In addition to completing the application requirements, international students whose first language is not English must submit

• official original secondary school transcripts. All transcripts that are not in English must be evaluated. SPANTRAN is a recommended service. An official course-by-course evaluation must be included.
• official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET)

If an international applicant is admitted and chooses to enroll, an affidavit of financial support and copy of passport will be required for next steps in the enrollment and visa-issuing processes with the Center for International Education.

Complete online with no fee. Applicants to this dual degree program will apply to the LIM and the Criminology and Justice degree programs separately. While you need to apply separately, the admissions offices in both programs will work to minimize the duplication of admissions materials; for example, only one set of transcripts needs to be sent to the university.

Your statement should address the following:

1. How do you think the MCJ degree will enhance your professional development?
2. What expectations do you hope to realize by earning the degree?

A résumé of professional work experience.

An official transcript from each institution attended sent directly to the appropriate admissions office. For transcripts other than English, please provide a certified English translation with an explanation of the grading system. A bachelor’s degree and a record of academic achievement from an accredited college or university is required.

Three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for graduate work, such as former professors or master’s prepared supervisors.

The Loyola Institute for Ministry is committed to supporting students pursuing graduate degrees in pastoral studies and religious education. Recognizing that finances can be a barrier to those called to pursue advanced degrees, LIM has a limited number of partial scholarships ranging from $200-500 dollars per semester available to graduate students working full-time in ministry, either on a paid or volunteer basis and taking a minimum of three LIM courses per year, and enrolled in a LIM program requiring 12 or more credit hours for completion.

A brief essay of 500 words should explain your work in ministry. Please have this file ready to upload before you begin the application.

Students can apply for a scholarship at any time, but must have a completed application and be admitted into a LIM graduate program to be considered for a scholarship award. In the current academic year, which runs from the fall semester through the summer semester, apply by August 5 to be eligible for an award for the fall semester, by December 5 to be eligible for an award for the spring semester, by May 5 to be eligible for an award for the summer semester.

Apply here»

Each academic year, LIM awards one full-tuition graduate assistant scholarship for an on-campus in New Orleans or fully online student in either the Master of Pastoral Studies or Master of Religious Education degree program. The scholarship recipient would be responsible for university fees and working up to 5 hours a week as a graduate assistant. For more information, please contact LIM Director Tracey Lamont, Ph.D., at tlamont@loyno.edu.

Apply here»

The Loyola Institute for Ministry is committed to supporting students pursuing graduate degrees in pastoral studies and religious education. Recognizing that finances can be a barrier to those called to pursue advanced degrees, LIM has a limited number of partial scholarships ranging from $200-500 dollars per semester available to graduate students working full-time in ministry, either on a paid or volunteer basis and taking a minimum of three LIM courses per year, and enrolled in a LIM program requiring 12 or more credit hours for completion.

Awards are based on financial need, which is demonstrated by completing an application that requires a Statement of Need to be uploaded with the application. The Statement of Need should be a single-spaced, 500-word document or PDF file. It must describe the financial circumstances you are experiencing that necessitate scholarship aid. Please have this file ready to upload before you begin the application.

Students can apply for a scholarship at any time, but must have a completed application and be admitted into a LIM graduate program to be considered for a scholarship award. In the current academic year, which runs from the fall semester through the summer semester, apply by August 5 to be eligible for an award for the fall semester, by December 5 to be eligible for an award for the spring semester, by May 5 to be eligible for an award for the summer semester.

Apply here»

Each academic year, LIM awards one full-tuition graduate assistant scholarship for an eligible FJV to pursue, on-campus in New Orleans, or fully online, the degree of Master of Pastoral Studies or Master of Religious Education. The scholarship recipient would be responsible for university fees and working up to 5 hours a week as a graduate assistant. For questions or to apply for the FJV scholarship, please contact LIM Director, Tracey Lamont, Ph.D. at tlamont@loyno.edu.

Apply here»

Alumnae and alumni of the Loyola Institute for Ministry are invited to refer new graduate or undergraduate LIM applicants to receive a one-time $500 scholarship.

How It Works

• An alum identifies potential candidates for a LIM undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate and makes sure it’s ok with them for you to submit their name and email address as part of your referral.

• The alum completes this form for each person.

• LIM will contact the alum's referrals and invite them to apply.

• LIM will continue to alert the referral about LIM Open Houses and other LIM events, and they can always request to be removed from our contact list.

Fine Print

• Anyone who has completed a LIM graduate or undergraduate degree or certificate, including CEU graduates, may refer someone for this scholarship.

• There is no limit to the number of people you may refer.

• Applicants for LIM undergraduate or graduate degrees or certificates who have not previously taken LIM courses are eligible to receive the scholarship. Applicants for CEU credentials are not eligible.

• This scholarship may not be combined with any other one-time LIM scholarships.

• The scholarship is a one-time $500 scholarship for a student who enrolls in a course in the 2022 calendar year.

• The scholarship will be credited to the accounts of eligible recipients who continue to be enrolled after the fifth complete week of the term.

In recognition of outstanding academic achievement and commitment to Jesuit values, LIM awards annually the Gerald M. Fagin, SJ, Scholarship to two students to honor the legacy of former Loyola Institute for Ministry faculty member Fr. Jerry Fagin, SJ. Scholarship recipients must be working full-time in ministry either on a paid or volunteer basis and enroll in at least 3 LIM courses per year. For the purpose of this scholarship, ministry is defined as a position at a church, teacher in a Catholic school, and/or in a church-based organization.

Graduate students who have completed 18 credit hours toward their master’s degree and who currently have a GPA of 3.5 or higher may apply for this scholarship which awards up to $500 per course for the remainder of the student's courses. The deadline for applications is May 19, and the recipients will be announced the following August.

The application consists of an online form and an essay. The essay should be double-spaced and not longer than 2 pages (approx. 500 words) and should be a Word or PDF document. Please have this file ready to upload before you begin the application. You must be logged into your Loyola-sponsored Gmail account in order to upload your file. Apply here»

In your essay, please describe your understanding of and commitment to Ignatian spirituality such as its practices of prayer, discernment, finding God in all things, and your commitment to service rooted in justice and love. How has your practice of Ignatian spirituality impacted your life and ministry in practical concrete ways?

To learn more about the life and legacy of Fr. Gerald Fagin, or donate to this scholarship fund, please go here»

Priority is given to nominations for students who, full time or part-time, can complete their degrees by the end of summer 2027.

• Hispanic or Latina/o born or reared in the U.S.
• young adult between the ages of 18–39
• Roman Catholic
• admitted to the Master of Pastoral Studies or Master of Religious Education program
• demonstrated capacity to engage in pastoral theological education and to employ that education in pastoral leadership roles, particularly within the Hispanic or Latina/o communities
• demonstrated financial need

Currently enrolled students are eligible to receive fellowship support.

To be nominated for a Haciendo Caminos Fellowship, a person must be admitted into LIM’s Master of Pastoral Studies or Master of Religious Education degree program and must complete the Fellowship application form. LIM will then nominate the candidate to the national Haciendo Caminos steering committee Once the nomination is received, the Haciendo Caminos steering committee evaluates the nomination and the program director communicates a decision within 2-3 weeks.

If a Fellowship is awarded, Loyola University New Orleans will establish the student's payout schedule for a given year and will communicate how the recipient must account for the use of fellowship funds.

To apply for a Haciendo Caminos Fellowship, please complete this form.