Why Get Your MA in Practical Theology and Ministry from Barry University?

Barry University’s Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry offers you the opportunity to deepen the theological foundations of your faith commitment and to do so in practical ways. At Barry, you will find a unique, multicultural learning environment, strong faculty support, and convenient study options.

Unique Learning Environment

Barry is a Catholic university rooted in the Adrian Dominican tradition, a tradition dedicated to seeking truth, valuing diversity, and promoting peace. Our master’s program features an excellent combination of theological education and ministerial formation in Roman Catholic and other Christian traditions. The MA in Practical Theology and Ministry program is directed by Dr. Elsie Miranda. Dr. Miranda is recognized for her work in Feminist Ethics, Liberation Theology, Queer Theology, Practical Theology and Ministry, Ministerial Formation, and Pastoral Care and Counseling. She also serves as Director of Ministerial Formation at Barry, where she has developed a quality formation program and a series of workshops to enhance your spiritual growth.

Located in Miami Shores, a village twenty minutes from vibrant Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Barry’s MA in Practical Theology and Ministry invites professional exchange of ideas and creative solutions. The diversity of South Florida is complemented by our student population; you will be companioned and supported in your program by students from lay and ordained ministries with various cultural backgrounds and faith traditions. You will also have the opportunity to interact with various segments of the community through your formation program.

Strong Faculty Support

Barry’s eleven fulltime faculty members provide the one-to-one attention and professional expertise that will foster your academic, personal, and ministerial growth. To give you just a few examples, among the faculty are the:

• founder of Amor en Accíon, an organization dedicated to short-term mission experiences in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
• co-editor of the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics and active member of the American Academy of Religion’s Task Force on Religion and Disability;
• author of The Creative Suffering of the Triune God: An Evolutionary Theology (2007) and convener of the Theology and Science sessions of both the Catholic Theological Society of America and the College Theology Society;
• author of "Philippians," "Philemon," and "Captivity Epistles" in the New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed.;
• recipient of the 2005-2006 NEH Faculty Research Award for completion of on-going research; and
• author of “No Neutral Zones: Hermeneutics and the Interpretation of Liturgical Space,” in Liturgical Ministry 14.

Study Options

An exceptional aspect of the Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry at Barry University is the program schedule. You can pursue the degree in any of three ways:

• In the Traditional Semester Option, classes are scheduled in the evening, generally from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. You can enroll in one to three courses per semester.
• The Winter and Summer Term Option allows you to pursue the degree even if your schedule is extremely tight or you live in another area of Florida or another state. Classes are scheduled daily during a two-week residency period. Six week pre-residency and post-residency periods enable you to complete readings, assignments, and a research paper.
• In the Study-through-the-Year Option, students enroll in both the traditional semester courses and the winter/summer term courses. This option can reduce the amount of time it takes to graduate and increase your breadth of study.

Concentration and Areas of Interest

In Barry’s Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry, you have the opportunity to take a concentration in Hispanic/Latino Theology and Ministry. You can also focus on an area of interest, including Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, Liturgical Theology, or Institutional and Military Ministry.

Contact Us

We thank you for taking the time to consider how a Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry from Barry University can help you deepen your theological foundations in practical ways. If this sounds like the right program for you, you can apply online now. Or if you have additional questions, you can request information or ask us a question online. We can also be reached at 305-899-3469 or 1-800-756-6000, ext. 3469 or by email theology@mail.barry.edu.