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

Is It Christian Enough? Watching “A Wrinkle in Time” with My Daughter

June 4, 2018

My eight-year-old daughter and I left the theater and walked into the bright afternoon sun holding hands. We’d just seen A Wrinkle in Time. That’s a pretty good way for a dad to finish a movie about a daughter who travels billions of light years to rescue her less-than-perfect father from the clutches of evil. As she clenched my hand, she asked, “Dad, would you say that was a movie about self-discovery?” “That was part of it. What do you think Meg discovered?” “That who she is is who she was meant to be.” Pretty good, I thought. “And who she is is worthy—and capable—of love, right?” She just squeezed [...]

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Dark and Lovely: Is God In It?

May 31, 2018

In early May 2018, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary hosted Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes who spoke on “Race, Gender and Imago Dei.” Following the event, the Rev.  Oghene’tega Swann, a Doctor of Ministry Urban Change focus student at Pittsburgh Seminary, shared her reflection. The following post has been edited for length; the original blog “Dark and Lovely: Is God In It? A Reflection on the 2018 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Schaff Lectures on Race, Gender and the Imago Dei” can be accessed on the CBE-Voices of Color Chapter website. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has been a theological haven since I first discovered it four years ago while searching for the ‘right’ place and focus for my Doctor of Ministry program. Something [...]

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