What is the Relationship with the Evergreen or Main campus in Baltimore?

Loyola’s Evergreen (Main) Campus is located in North Baltimore and is where most institutional administrative offices and all athletic facilities are located. Curriculum experiences on Evergreen are mostly tailored to the undergraduate programs and the communal needs of the undergraduate student. Loyola offers coursework at two graduate centers -- the centers in Columbia and Timonium -- designed specifically for graduate studies. These outstanding facilities provide comfortably appointed, seminar-style classrooms and team meeting rooms, instructional technology, ample free parking, on-site bookstores and other services important to full-time professionals. 

It is rare that a student must visit the Evergreen Campus in Baltimore; however we encourage all students to visit this central hub when convenient. The main campus is very active with scholarly presentations, athletic activities, extra-curricular activities, and student services that may encourage or desire graduate student involvement. Students may also find graduate student employment opportunities on main campus and may find service opportunities as well through different initiatives of the university.

Are campus visits offered?

Campus visits of the Columbia Graduate Center are encouraged. Students who are beginning their exploration into the program should contact the department in order to schedule an informal information session to explore how the different degree programs might meet their needs.

Once a student applies to the program, an interview with the particular degree’s Admissions Director is required. These interviews are scheduled once the student’s file is complete and attempts to accommodate a student’s schedule. MS/PhD and Ph.D. applicants will interview with several members of the faculty. This process may mean that a particular day will be reserved when all MS/PhD and Ph.D. applicants will be required to be available for their admissions interview. Master of Science students, Master of Arts students, Certificate of Advanced Studies, and Special students will be contacted in order to schedule the interview.

How can I receive information on Loyola College Pastoral Counseling in the mail?

Please contact the department at :

Click here for E-mail.

Phone:     410-617-7613

Are doctoral programs offered through the Pastoral Counseling department?

The Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling is a post Master’s degree (MS in Pastoral Counseling, a Master’s Degree in Counseling from another CACREP program, or a Master’s program in a closely related field) that seeks to integrate spirituality and counseling into a professionally and academically enriching program of study. The program has been designed for individuals who wish to further the understanding of the human person by interrelating the theory and techniques of the contemporary helping professions with the insights of spirituality and faith matters. It seeks to prepare graduates to make contributions to empirical research into psycho-spiritual issues and to communicate to the general public the results of a holistic, interdisciplinary, integrative understanding of the human person. At the same time, the program seeks to create a learning environment that focuses upon the ongoing personal transformation and formation of the student as a co-equal goal to acquiring knowledge. Unless counselors "come aside and rest awhile" by orienting themselves to the Holy, they will struggle to form that special friendship that is the pastoral relationship -- where those we serve must become "more and more" and the pastoral counselor becomes "less and less". As such, the student is able to become a competent practitioner who is able to apply that which is learned and acquired in a way that is relevant to the one who seeks help. Please read more about the Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling by clicking here. 

Can I take a class if I am not enrolled in a degree program?

Loyola College in Maryland has established a Special student status for those parties who would like to enroll in classes, but would not like to pursue a degree at this time. Certain criteria must be met and interested parties must apply to the program as a special student and have an admissions interview. Interested parties should contact the department directly.

All participants in course instruction must be considered an active student in the University’s enrollment system.

Can I take classes part-time?

All students may enroll into the program on a part time or full time basis. The MS and MA programs have been built for part-time and full-time enrollment. Students in the MS/PhD and PhD program, however, may find that full time enrollment will be more feasible and will allow the student to finish their program of study in the required timeframe of seven years as established by Loyola College in Maryland.

Are there any distance learning programs?

The Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care program at Loyola College in Maryland does not offer a distance learning program. Students who are interested in approved Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)  that offer distance learning programs, should visit CACREP’s website by clicking here.

May I send all of my application materials together?

Yes. However, most applicants submit the application and supporting documents to the office of Graduate Admissions seperately. If you choose to apply online, most of your materials will arrive at one time and your official transcripts will be sent directly to the Admissions Office from your schools. Any letter of reference sent as a hard copy instead of electronically will be sent directly from the writer.

When will my application be considered?

All application materials must be received before an application is considered. Students should be aware of application deadlines and should strive to have all materials in before the deadline. Delay in sending in application materials may mean that a candidate will not be considered for the desired enrollment period.

Priority is given to applications received by stated application deadlines. Applications received after the recommended dates may be reviewed on a space-available basis or deferred by an admission committee for review the next available semester. Most of the programs evaluate applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Unless stated otherwise, programs consider new applicants for each fall, spring, and summer term.

The application deadlines are as follows:

Ph.D. 
      Fall Semester/Summer Sessions February 1
      Spring Semester November 1
       
   M.S.-Ph.D. 
      Fall Semester/Summer Sessions February 1
      Spring Sessions  November 1

   M.A./M.S./C.A.S. 
      Fall Semester April 1
      Spring Semester November 1
      Summer Sessions April 1

Does my college major affect admissions decisions?

Not necessarily. All undergraduate majors are considered and one will find that our students come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Students who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Theology, Religious Studies, Sociology or closely related social sciences field may find that their degree is helpful in their program, however there is not one particular undergraduate path into the Master’s programs.

Applicants for the CAS and Ph.D. programs, however, need to pay particular attention to the degree requirement. In these cases, the student’s Master’s degree is extremely relevant in admissions decisions. Applicant’s should examine the degree requirements by clicking here.

Must my prior coursework and degrees be from an accredited institution?

Yes. Your school must be accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc./Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, or Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.

Is the M.A. degree only for students who wish to work in ministry settings?

Many of our Master’s of Art students are seeking to work as lay ministers or spiritual directors in ministerial settings; however a growing number of students are finding other opportunities as well. Non-profit organizations, Social Justice and/or Faith and Poverty focused organizations, professionals seeking to focus on a particular sub-set within their profession, and full time ministers and chaplains are common within the program. The MA degree is relevant to a variety of settings and the graduate of the program is often where a person needing the services of a professional counselor may first seek assistance.

Do I need to use a computer?

Computer literacy is required for all students in all programs. "Computer literacy", however, is defined as the ability to use basic word processing software, e-mail, and internet resources as a prospective student. As you advance in your program of study, you will be taught degree appropriate technologies in line with the standards of the degree and professional orientation. For example, Master of Science graduates will be literate in the commonly accepted computer skills neccesary of Licensed Professional Counselors. This has been defines as “the ability to develop web pages, group presentations, letters and reports; use audiovisual equipment, computerized statistical packages, testing, diagnostic and career decision-making programs, and e-mail; participate in listservs, utilize search engines, and find continuing education opportunities; use counseling related CD-ROM data bases; be aware of benefits and limits of technology, evaluate information received, and know associated ethical and legal concerns" (Journal of Technology in Counseling, ACA).

Ph.D. candidates should be able to meet the standards above and have the ability to apply the technologies in ways that advance their doctoral studies and the professional counseling field.

How do I finance my education?

Over 90 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid. (link to financial aid site) You may want to use a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, graduate assistantships, tuition remission from an employer, third party financial support, and personal funds.

What are my chances of receiving financial aid, a tuition grant, or graduate assistantship?

Over 90% of students receive some form of financial aid. The majority of this aid comes in the form of federal loans or state based scholarship programs. The department does, however, have funds available to offer tuition grants to students who present a financial need. A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are also available within the department. Graduate Assistantships require 105 hours of student employment which is compensated in the form of a tuition stipend and a re-occurring paycheck for the time of employment. Students may also apply to other departments for Graduate Assistantships as well. A current list of all Graduate Assistantships and contact information can be found by clicking here. (HR Employment site)

Students who wish to apply for financial aid or be considered for a Graduate Assistantship should contact the department by March 1 in order to be considered for the next academic year.

Is housing available?

In general, Loyola College in Maryland does not provide housing to graduate students. However, students may apply for a position on the residential life staff at Loyola College in Maryland. These employment opportunities provide students with a room in an undergraduate dorm on the Evergreen (Main) Campus and a stipend. Students should be aware that Loyola’s main campus is approximately 20 miles from the Columbia campus and college sponsored mass transportation is not available. Public transportation, while available, may not be the most efficient. 

Where do Pastoral Counseling students live?

The majority of Pastoral Counseling students live off campus in homes or in apartments. Students who are new to the area should seek housing through web based searches and through print media ads. Unfortunately, the Pastoral Counseling department is unable to maintain a current list of students seeking housing or housing units and services availability.