Loyola University New Orleans through its Institute for Ministry offers master’s degrees in pastoral studies and religious education (with comparable continuing education certificates in those areas) entirely onsite through a partnership with local sponsoring agencies, a diocese, parish, retreat center, or other established institutions. The program, serving the church since 1983, is known as the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension program (LIMEX).

 

WHAT IS LIMEX?

 

LIMEX is a professionally oriented graduate program that develops the theological and ministerial competencies of participants through an integration of rigorous academic study and theological reflection on ministerial practice. Students develop a solid ministerial proficiency by combining in-depth study of the Christian tradition with an appreciative and critical understanding of the contexts in which they minister. These contexts include the sociocultural context of their ministry, the personal context of participants’ own faith development and spirituality, and the institutional context and organizational dynamics of the ministry sites in which they collaborate. Participants also develop specific competencies in a ministry focus area of their choice.

 

The LIMEX program originated as a response to Vatican II’s universal call to ministry and to the changing demographic patterns in church and society since the Council. The program particularly responds to the educational needs of Catholic dioceses with little or no access to residential graduate programs by offering adult practitioners the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in learning communities within their own localities.

 

For more information please visit the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Website.