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The dual M.A. in Pastoral Ministry/M.S. in Nursing was developed by the Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (IREPM), now part of the School of Theology and Ministry (STM), and the Connell School of Nursing (CSON).  The program has now evolved to include the new M.A. in Theology and Ministry in the dual degree M.A./M.S. program.  Students in the M.A. in Pastoral Ministry will pursue the M.S. in Nursing during the academic school years and the M.A. in Pastoral Ministry in the summer.  Students in the M.A. in Theology and Ministry will pursue each degree separately during the academic school years.  For example, the student will enroll in the STM for a year to pursue the M.A. in Theology and then spend the next two years in the CSON pursuing the M.S. in Nursing.  These programs are designed for nurses with experience in clinical practice who wish to pursue graduate studies that combine theories and practice in nursing with studies in theology and exploration of the pastoral dimensions of caring. It equips students for certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse, while also providing them with the theoretical foundations for integrating pastoral ministry and nursing. Nurses educated in the dual M.A./M.S. program will be well prepared to offer advanced practice nursing across the life span. For nurses committed to addressing the spiritual dimensions of nursing care in any setting, the degree will enhance both their nursing practice and their participation in a community of Christian faith.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

• Students must apply and be accepted independently to the STM for the M.A. in Pastoral Ministry and to the CSON for the M.S. in Nursing.
• Students may begin their studies in either the STM or CSON. CSON requirements are sequenced as detailed in the catalog but STM requirements need not be. Students must follow the policies of each program regarding part-time and full-time study in fulfillment of degree  requirements.
• The entire dual program must be completed within six years.
• Handbook
• Curriculum worksheet
• The integrity of both degrees is to be maintained:
  • CSON requires 45 credits for the M.S. degree, of which six are taken in selected STM courses.
  • STM requires 44 credits (with Option A: 35 credits) of which seven (with Option A: five) are taken in selected CSON courses. A dual-degree student completes the requirements for both degrees with a total of 76 credits (with Option A: 72 credits), rather than the 89 (with Option A: 83 credits) entailed if taken independently.
• Students are to develop an appropriate course of studies by working with designated faculty advisors in each of the two degree programs.
• Students must follow the relevant policies of each program in academic requirements, financial aid, registration and all other matters. For further details, refer to the CSON Student Handbook and the STM Student Guide.
• All students must enroll in Holistic Formation during their first academic year, regardless of whether they are taking primarily STM or CSON courses.

TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID:
Tuition is paid to the school in which the dual degree student is currently enrolled. If a full-time student is taking some courses in each of the two schools, s/he should pay tuition to the school in which s/he is enrolled more than part-time. Financial aid packages are provided by each school independently. Students must apply for financial aid in each school.

PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• You must also apply to CSON.

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