This part-time, three-year certificate is intended for people who wish to further their academic theological education, but who are not interested in pursuing an academic career. The certificate offers a variety of personal and professions benefits. Some students may choose to continue on to the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) program. Some may elect to pursue the certificate for personal enrichment, while others may pursue it to increase their theological knowledge in order to support ministerial endeavors like chaplaincy, ordained ministry, pastoral counseling, or spiritual direction.

Learning Goals

Graduates of the P.B.C. program should:

• Demonstrate the skills, methods, and knowledge constitutive of the academic discipline of theology. For students seeking ordination in their denomination, this will include the ability to successfully complete theological requirements for ordination.
• Describe and analyze Christian theology in its expressions over time and across cultures, and in its interaction with other religious traditions.
• Demonstrate facility in theological subdisciplines such as Scripture, historical theology, systematic theology, moral theology, or comparative theology.
• Be able to appropriately evaluate scholarly work in theology.
• Employ skills and resources of academic theology in their understanding of and participation in ministry.

For information about the estimated costs, related standard occupations, and normal completion time for this program, visit www.loyola.edu/department/consumer-information.

Admission Criteria

Detailed admission information (application procedures, required documents, deadlines, etc.) can be found under Admission.