Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Development (M.A.)
The MA in Social Justice and Community Development degree is an interfaith program that engages students through a values-based perspective that provides:
· an interdisciplinary foundation in justice theories and religious social ethics
· a comprehensive, integrated curriculum, useful for various career paths in community development and social justice
· practical tools in community organizing, social analysis and change, communication and non-violence, advocacy in public policy, working with volunteers, grant writing and fundraising
· opportunities to focus on specific areas of community empowerment, such as congregation-based strategies; housing and economic development; building sustainable and asset-based communities.
The degree is designed for those aspiring to affect social transformation in local communities as well as to those committed to restoring economic equity, social justice, and ecological health on a national or global scale.
Concentrations
Curriculum
Prerequisites
Dual Degree
Certificate Programs
CONCENTRATIONS
Students in the program choose from two tracks. Students can enter the program before making this choice, but it must be made within one semester (for full-time students) or one academic year (for part time students).
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The Social Justice concentration is designed for those who are relatively new to the field of social justice and community development. This track is especially relevant for recent graduates looking to acquire practical skills that will help them become community leaders and social justice practitioners.
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The Community Development track provides knowledge and development of strategies and skills to improve the lives of residents of urban neighborhoods. Through Loyola’s partnership with the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), the track offers students an integration of theory and practice to achieve economic, racial, environmental and social justice through the transformation of local communities.
SCUPE was established in 1976 to address the growing need for urban pastors to become more effective agents of social change. Using experiential education, SCUPE programs are designed specifically for seminary students, grassroots community leaders, and pastors.
CURRICULUM
Social Justice Concentration
This 36-credit hour program includes 12 three-hour courses. Students can begin the degree program in any academic term. Full-time students can complete the program in four academic terms, including summers. Part-time students have five years within which to complete the degree. The following eight courses are required for this degree:
- IPS 532: Social Context (ChSt 400)
- IPS 610: Social Justice Foundations: Philosophical, Religious, and Theological Bases for Social Justice
- IPS 620: Diversity and Equity: Issues in a Sociocultural and Political Context (SW 502; ChSt 401)
- IPS 625: Justice and the Global Economy (PH 470)
- IPS 635: Community Organizing and Community Development (SW 509)
- IPS 660: Leadership in Social Justice Organization
- Internship I-IPS 640: Beginning Action-Reflection in Context (e-learning connection to IPS faculty)**
- Internship II-IPS 641: Advanced Action-Reflection in Context (e-learning connection to IPS faculty)**
- IPS 671: Social Justice Final Project Seminar
Four electives in pastoral theology and social justice issues complete the degree. Examples of pastoral theology courses include: Prophets, Liberation Theology, Moral Theology, and Catholic Social Teachings.
Examples of courses in social justice issues include: War and Peace: Bible, Theology, and Practice; Environmental ethics; Economic and Worker Rights; Urban Issues; Class and Poverty: Bible, Theology, and Practice; Domestic Violence: Bible, Theology, and Practice; Race and Gender/Sexuality: Bible, Theology, and Practice; and Human Rights.
Students will document learning experiences in conflict resolution, human relations skills, and cross-cultural/multicultural immersion by program completion. These learning experiences can be completed through elective course work or not-for-credit experiences.
IPS is committed to personal growth and spiritual development as part of degree completion. IPS offers opportunities for spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, small pastoral reflection groups, and other events which provide possibilities for healthy ministry in justice settings.
**Students will select their two-semester internship site early in the program. A diverse number of internship sites will be available from non-profit, governmental, and corporate situations, but students must apply for these internships and be selected by the sites. Students may submit a site of their own choosing, but it must be approved by Loyola. Internships for this degree are not primarily service positions: they involve student interns in the work of systemic change, social advocacy, and community organizing. All approved internships must demonstrate the site's readiness to support such involvement.
Community Development Concentration
This 36-credit hour program includes course requirements shared with Social Justice students, course requirements for Community Development students only, and electives chosen by the students from throughout the program. Elective courses may also be taken from the Seminary Consortium on Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE). Click here for courses offered by SCUPE for MASJCD students in Spring 2011 and Summer 2011 summers.
The following seven classes are required for this degree:
- IPS 645: Principles and Processes of Community Development
- IPS 646: Historical Perspectives of Community Development
- IPS 620: Diversity and Equity
- IPS 635: Community Organizing and Direct Action
- IPS TBD: Applied Research Methods
- IPS 647: Ethical Dimensions of Community Development
- IPS 640: Internship I—Beginning Action-Reflection in Context**
Fifteen hours of electives complete the degree. Electives can be chosen from a variety of offerings, including Congregation-Based Community Development (650), Social Justice, Housing and Economic Development (648), Public Policy and Sustainable Urban Ecology, among others.
**Students with significant community-based experience can replace this requirement with an additional elective with approval from the Program Director.
Community Development courses are offered at times convenient to those who are employed full-time. For these students, the program can be completed in six academic semesters, including summers. Part-time students have five years within which to complete the degree.
For Spring 2011 Course Offerings/Descriptions, click here.
PREREQUISITES
There are no formal prerequisites for this program and no academic testing requirements. However, applicants must demonstrate in their personal statement and letters of recommendation their commitment and dedication to community empowerment. Specific reference should be made to academic preparation and experience in community settings, such as participation in advocacy groups and campaigns, organizing experience, volunteer service and employment in community work. Admission to this program is competitive, and applicants will be selected on the basis of both academic readiness for graduate work and demonstrated interest and involvement in community.
DUAL DEGREE
Please contact Graduate Program Director regarding status of the MA in Community Development concentration pursued in collaboration with a Master of Social Work (MSW).
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
The Community Development Concentration hopes to offer two 5-course Certificate Programs for those who wish to gain knowledge and skills in the field. These include a Certificate in Fundamentals of Community Development and a Certificate in Congregation-Based Community Development. The Social Justice Concentration offers a post-graduate Certificate in Social Justice. Please click here for complete information about these certificates.
For more Information about admission requirements, deadlines, and contact information, click here.
