Admissions Information
The admission process at the Loyola Institute for Ministry includes:
- A completed application form.
- For all degree-seeking students: a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum of 2.50 G.P.A..
- For all degree-seeking students: submission of all transcripts (official transcripts only) mailed directly from colleges or universities previously attended.
- A statement of educational purpose.
- A résumé of work experience including professional and/or voluntary ministerial responsibilities.
- Two letters of recommendation (on forms supplied by the Institute) attesting to,student's capability for graduate study.
- A $20 application fee. Waived for applicants applying online.
- LIM extension students only: a notification of application (supplied by Loyola) that is sent directly to the sponsoring agency.
- LIM Outreach students: a notification of application (supplied by Loyola) that is sent directly to the LIM on-campus associate director.
All admissions-related materials should be forwarded directly to the LIM enrollment office or submitted online two months prior to the start of the student's first course or semester. (International extension students not applying online have these materials sent directly to their administrative liaison at their sponsoring agency.) This allows time for transcripts and other supporting documents to reach the LIM enrollment office and subsequently for the admissions committee to reach an admission decision. Late applications are accepted, but late applicants may only be admitted to the first course as transient students.
Addtional Information:
Admission to Degree Candidacy
Course Requirements
Continuing Education Admission
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Change of Academic Status
Academic Advisement for LIM Students
Transfer Credit – LIM On-Campus Students
Financial Aid
Graduate Bulletin
Admission to Degree Candidacy
The Institute for Ministry offers courses of instruction leading to two graduate degrees: the master of religious education (M.R.E.) and the master of pastoral studies (M.P.S.)
To apply for degree candidacy, LIM on-campus students must file a formal (written) petition to the graduate studies committee of the Institute. Degree candidacy is awarded according to the criteria listed below (Note: LIMEX extension program students are advanced to candidacy by the graduate studies committee – no written petition necessary -- once the following criteria are met):
- Not less than 12 credit hours nor more than 15 credit hours in the institute's graduate courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. For on-campus students, of these hours at least six must consist of core courses including Introduction to Practical Theology.
- Students must evidence responsible and competent participation in the learning process.
- Currently registered for credit at Loyola.
Appropriate recommendations will be made by the graduate studies committee to the dean of City College as a result of their review. Degree candidates will be so notified and such notification will become part of their permanent records. Students not admitted to candidacy will be informed of their deficiency. Removal of such deficiency under the direction of the student's advisor must take place upon completion of 15 hours. The student is to reapply for degree candidacy after 15 hours.
Course Requirements
The degree candidate at LIM must complete a total of at least 36 credit hours of graduate work including the work earned prior to his or her admission to degree candidacy. A course in which the student has earned a grade of D or F cannot be counted toward the completion of the credit hour requirement, but will be used in determining the grade point average.
Continuing Education Admission
Those who are applying to the institute for admission under the continuing education status are required to complete the institute’S (graduate) application, pay a nonrefundable application fee ($20), submit a résumé and statement of educational purpose and supply two recommendations (on forms provided by the institute) from professionals in ministry and/or education (e.g., pastor, DRE, etc.) who can attest to the applicant's involvement in ministry and ability to do graduate-level reading. This ability to engage in graduate-level reading must be evidenced in the application process.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Persons who participate in LIM courses under the continuing education status are persons who have extensive ministry experience, often in diocesan, school or parish positions, and have the ability to do the graduate-level reading. Some CEU students lack the required bachelor's degree to enroll for the graduate degree, while others already have graduate credentials and do not wish to earn another graduate degree. Persons who register as CEU students will receive continuing education units as defined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. CEUs are recorded on a Loyola CEU transcript and kept in the permanent records of the university registrar.
Continuing education credit is determined by class attendance, competent participation in an extension learning group or on-campus course, completion of reading assignments, and other activities necessary for participation in those sessions. Three CEUs are granted for each course in the LIMEX program. In the LIM on campus program, one credit hour equals one CEU. All CEU students who complete the LIMEX or LIMOC program (36 credit hours) receive a continuing education certificate in their area of study – a Certificate in Religious Education or Certificate in Pastoral Studies.
Change of Academic Status
LIM students may change from graduate status to continuing education status by written request. Continuing education students may apply to the LIM enrollment office for graduate status, subject to the standard graduate admissions requirements. Either change of status must occur only between courses or semesters.
Academic Advisement for LIM Students
Each on-campus student consults with an Institute advisor in planning his or her full program of graduate courses. The student should meet each semester with this academic advisor.
Extension students are assigned an academic advisor when admitted to the LIMEX program. LIMEX instructors of record are also available for consultation on academic concerns. Both may be contacted via a toll-free telephone number, e-mail, or fax.
Transfer Credit – LIM On-Campus Students
On-campus students are allowed to transfer up to six hours of credit for graduate course work done in theology, religion or ministry from an accredited institution. Original transcripts must be presented along with a request to the Graduate Studies Committee. For transfer credit in areas other than those mentioned, it is incumbent upon students to justify a clear and systematic relevance of the work to their LIM degree program. A request must be made to the Graduate Studies Committee, along with a 3 5 page rationale. If the transfer is accepted, the learning from the transferred courses is to be integrated into the Pastoral/Educational Strategies course.
Because of the LIMEX (extension) program's unique educational methodology and sequential curriculum format, no transfer credit is allowed into that program.
Financial Aid
Because Loyola offers substantial tuition discounts to all LIM on-campus and LIMEX students, additional university scholarships and grants are not available.
Federal student financial aid is only available to graduate students in New Orleans; thus, LIMEX students are not eligible.
For Additional Information
For more information about admission to the Loyola Institute for Ministry, please consult the Graduate Bulletin of Loyola University New Orleans.
You may also contact LIM:
Loyola Institute for Ministry
6363 St. Charles Avenue
Campus Box 67
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 1-800-777-5469 (U.S. and Canada)
Phone: 0800-896-344 (United Kingdom))
Phone: 0800-895-326 (Switzerland)
Fax: 504-865-2066
E-mail: lim@loyno.edu
Updated November 15, 2000