Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry program prepares students with a solid theological foundation and practical training to respond to Christ’s call to serve the Church in today’s world. Whether you're currently engaged in pastoral ministry or discerning a vocation to serve, this program offers a transformative course of study that deepens your faith and equips you with the spiritual and pastoral tools needed for meaningful ministry.
Accreditation & Awards
"My students often tell me that the reason they want to study here is because they want to be beacons of light in a darkened world."
Admissions Requirements
The Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology offers open enrollment. Applicants should have completed at least 12 credits or the equivalent in theology or religious studies in their undergraduate programs.
Students may apply for either full or part time study. Applications and scholarship considerations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Deadlines
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Deadline to apply
Rolling
Curriculum Overview
The 42-credit M.A. in Pastoral Ministry program is built around five interwoven pillars: coursework, field education, theological reflection, spiritual formation, and a culminating Integration Seminar with a Final Comprehensive Project.
Together, these components provide students with both the academic grounding and hands-on experience needed to serve the Church and society with wisdom, compassion, and purpose.
As part of their academic journey, all students are required to complete STHO 6020: Research Seminar early in the program, laying the foundation for strong theological inquiry and scholarly engagement.
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100%
Students Surveyed Say They are Prepared for Service to the Church
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100%
Students Surveyed Say Program is Academically Strong
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92%
Students Surveyed Feel Empowered for Ministry
Explore Theology in Inspiring Settings
Theology students study at Seton Hall’s campus and at the Office of Evangelization in South Orange, N.J., and at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison.
Career Opportunities
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry program prepares students for effective and compassionate leadership within specialized ministries of the Catholic Church. Rooted in a strong theological foundation, the program also offers focused training in a chosen area of pastoral service, equipping graduates to meet the spiritual and practical needs of the communities they are called to serve.
Recent surveys of graduating students from the program reported that 100% of respondents felt that ICSST enhanced and embodied an environment in which one could encounter and pursue service to Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church.
All survey respondents agreed that the academic content was strong. Ninety-two percent of graduating students reported feeling prepared for ministry and lifelong learning.
Our graduates make an impact at world-class institutions.
Our Faculty and Students
The Association of Theological Schools Reaffirms Accreditation for the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology
Catholic Artist, Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, Presents the “Many Faces of Hospitality”
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Seton Hall University is committed to providing students with the most current information on how to finance your graduate degree. A graduate degree is within your reach – a variety of options can help you finance your degree including scholarships, federal aid, graduate assistantships, and more.
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50%
Amount Scholarships Can Reduce Cost of Degree
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the School Offer Financial Aid?
Are Graduate Assistantships available?
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Additional Resources
Resources of Ministry
ICSST Web Site
Our Mission
Graduate Programs
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About Seton Hall
One of the country's leading Catholic Universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856.
Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs, Seton Hall's academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Seton Hall's 58-acre campus in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, is only 14 miles from New York City — offering students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is located in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in the owns of Clifton and Nutley, New Jersey, houses the University’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences.
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1856
Founded by James Roosevelt Bayley
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14
Miles from New York City
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90+
Career-Building Graduate Programs
