Certificate
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus, Online
About the Pastoral Leadership Certificate at Loyola
Loyola's flexible Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Leadership provides a strong foundation and comprehensive knowledge in pastoral care, Christian theology, and scripture to individuals at different stages of their pastoral ministry journey.
The program offers a wide range of elective courses taught by expert faculty from the Loyola Institute of Pastoral Studies. The curriculum can be tailored to your experience and vocational goals, whether you are exploring a call to pastoral ministry, considering a career change, seeking to expand your knowledge and skills in pastoral theology, or looking to advance in your pastoral ministry as a volunteer or professional.
Program Structure
The Pastoral Leadership Certificate can be pursued full-time or part-time. Classes are held weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago, and many of the courses are also offered online.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Pastoral Leadership Certificate?
The Loyola Pastoral Leadership Certificate meets you wherever you are on your journey in pastoral care. You will benefit from experienced faculty in the ATS-accredited Institute of Pastoral Studies and a community that will support you in discerning and intentionally moving toward your vocational goals.
- A flexible program
- Electives that match your vocational goals
- The support you need for reflection and discernment
- A transferable graduate-level credential
- A global commitment to mission
Earn your certificate in person, entirely online (depending on which electives you choose), or a mix of both in-person and online courses.
Of the five required courses for the certificate, you will work with your advisor to choose four electives that best suit your background, experience, interests, and goals.
Take steps toward your vocational goals with intentionality and in community, whether you are discerning a call to pastoral ministry or seeking to supplement your education. In each class, you will benefit from learning from and alongside people with a broad range of experiences, backgrounds, and goals.
By completing the Pastoral Leadership Certificate, you will earn a graduate-level credential you can roll directly into a master’s degree program to continue your education and formation for ministry.
You will earn your certificate through the Institute of Pastoral Studies, a renowned global hub for educating and forming diverse and dynamic leaders in ministry who are committed to creative, compassionate, and courageous service to church and society.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Institute of Pastoral Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Pastoral Leadership Certificate program.
Faculty and StaffPastoral Leadership: Career Connections
As a graduate of the Pastoral Leadership Certificate program, you will have the knowledge and skills you need to serve individuals and communities through pastoral ministry roles and positions.
Specific job options include:
- Associate pastor
- Senior pastor
- Youth pastor
- Ministry leader
- Nonprofit leader
- Community activist
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Loyola Stories
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Pastoral Leadership Certificate learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Pastoral Studies is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and is currently under a Warning pertaining to ATS Standards 2.6-7 on Educational Evaluation.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogResults and Skills
By completing the Pastoral Leadership Certificate at Loyola, you will:
- Gain foundational knowledge and skills for offering spiritual and emotional pastoral support, counseling, and guidance to individuals and communities
- Develop a greater understanding of the core beliefs, practices, and values of the Christian faith
- Gain skills in interpreting, analyzing, and applying scriptural teaching to contemporary life
- Develop skills related to ethical decision-making
- Gain a greater understanding for working effectively with diverse communities
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate totals $13275.00, or 15 credit hours at a cost of $885.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid & Scholarships
More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid page.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Institute of Pastoral Studies offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall, Spring, & Summer
Rolling admission
Recommended Deadlines
Fall: July 15
Spring: December 10
Summer: April 15
Final admission is 10 days before the start of classes
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Pastoral Leadership Certificate include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Please submit a 1,500-word essay describing your personal, educational, professional, and ministerial background and how these have prepared you for the specific MA or Certificate program for which you have applied. In your essay, also address the following:
Prior undergraduate or graduate study in theology or philosophy, if any
The ways in which your professional life and any volunteer service have emphasized spiritually, community and social justice
A theological book(s) that has helped to shape your understanding of your proposed vocation and course of study
Your vision of ministry, your strengths relative to this vocation, significant influences on your faith life (including ministerial mentors or role models), and the professional context in which you see yourself working upon completion of your program
Why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Loyola's IPS
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Pastoral Leadership Certificate program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAYRelated Programs
Certificate | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus, Online | Fall, Spring, Summer
Many individuals who seek out counseling and therapeutic services feel more comfortable doing so within a faith-based context or in a spiritual setting. This certificate is designed to meet the needs of mental health professionals and religious leaders who want to deliver this counseling ministry to those in need.
Apply NowRequest InfoCertificate | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus, Online | Fall, Spring, Summer
As the realities of education in the 21st century continue to evolve at a dynamic pace, the need for knowledgeable and skilled educators to deliver specialized content in a manner that maximizes student learning is as great as ever. This program offers powerful preparation to engage, catechize, and educate groups of all ages.
Apply NowRequest Info