The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) is a flexible graduate-level, two-year degree program that equips women and men for leadership in ministry in congregations and other settings. To complete the program, each student produces a final project related to their ministerial context.

The program provides grounding in core disciplines and the ability for a student to select from a variety of ministerial electives to suit their interests and vocational needs.

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree provides flexibility for students to define a ministry-oriented course of study.

About the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies Program

  • With the largest theological library in the tri-state area and a low student-to-faculty ratio that enables close interaction with dedicated scholars and teachers, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary offers unmatched resources for students to research and explore on their journey to a rewarding and fulfilling career.
  • Our 48 semester- credit-hour program can be taken either part or full time with day and evening classes available.
  • Students who graduate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree pursue a wide variety of calls into pastoral ministry, counseling, and Christian leadership.

Careers for Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies Grads

In addition to pastoral ministry, graduates of our MAPS program can work in churches and as chaplains, teach religious education, or serve faith-based nonprofits. Our students participate in God’s mission in many ways!

Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies Program Requirements

  • 48 semester credit hours
  • Year-long Field Education course and placement
  • Integrative final project

Master's Degrees

Pittsburgh Seminary Blog

Inside the PTS Curriculum: Genesis Through Esther

November 14, 2018

The “Inside the PTS Curriculum” series gives you an inside look at what students are learning in their courses at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Each article focuses on one class, its subject matter, what students can expect to learn, the required texts, and the kinds of assignments students can expect. We’ll let you know whether the course is required or available for the Master of Divinity (MDiv), the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS), or Master of Theological Studies (MTS). Each article will include the professors’ bio. This week’s course is: “Introduction to Caring Ministries”. About Genesis through Esther This term Pittsburgh Theological Seminary students will be learning about the Bible with Dr. Ron [...]

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Eugene Peterson: A Pastor to Pastors

October 26, 2018

Today I feel like I lost a friend and mentor that I have never met. Author and pastor Eugene Peterson died earlier this week at the age of 85. According to reports, Peterson was put in hospice last week with dementia and congestive heart failure. Some of his last words as he looked up to heaven were, “Let’s go.” He is probably best known for his paraphrase of the Bible called The Message. I have heard critiques of this, with people saying it is not a good translation of the Scripture. It is not a good translation, but it was never meant to be. As Eugene Peterson paraphrased his sermon [...]

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