Pastoral Ministry

Earn a Pastoral Ministry Degree

Lead others through their unique spiritual journey with a fulfilling career in Pastoral Ministry

The purpose of the Pastoral Ministry program is intellectual formation for the Catholic laity in these respective dioceses. Most students in pastoral ministry are not on a career path. They are parish volunteers who are very active in their local churches. In areas with a shortage of Catholic priests, pastoral ministry graduates often fill the gap created by this shortage, providing badly needed service and support in the local church.

Kansas Locations

  • Dodge City, Kansas
  • Wichita, Kansas

Oklahoma Locations

  • Tulsa, Oklahoma

Our private Catholic university accredits the Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry program for the diocese of Dodge City, Kansas, and the diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. All courses offered at these three sites follow the Newman University catalog. The courses for pastoral ministry in Dodge City are delivered through the ITV network to link students in classrooms from various sites throughout western Kansas to the Newman University campus. Oklahoma programs gather together in various selected sites for their educational experience.

About Our Faculty

Pastoral Ministry Department

Our faculty and staff have the knowledge and experience to help you prepare for a career in ministry. If you need clarification on a class assignment or advice on how to approach your future, you can feel confident that our faculty is available and ready to help.

Job Outlook

While pursuing a degree in pastoral ministry, you can expect a promising future. The pastoral ministry field is projected to grow 8% between 2016 and 2020. Our students are prepared to meet the expected demand for pastoral roles.

Careers

A degree in pastoral ministry will give you the opportunity to work in a variety of fields and specialties related to pastoral ministry. Here are some examples of potential careers and median salaries:

  • Youth Pastor
  • Lay Parish Coordinator

Internships

Our ministry students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience by working alongside the churches we have partnered with in Dodge City, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. This allows you to gain experience in churches with seasoned clergy.

Research Opportunities

Students are able to research contemporary topics in theology and learn about the current challenges facing the church.

Program Outcomes

Success Story — Celebrating 30 years of Pastoral Ministry

August 8th, 2015 was a special day for many in the Oklahoma City area, as members of our pastoral ministry program celebrated the 30th anniversary of the program’s first graduates. Since 1985, the program has produced 112 graduates. In addition, about 150 individuals have received a certificate from the archdiocese for taking courses in the program to prepare themselves for more active roles in their parishes. “Several people who have gone through the program spoke on how they were blessed or how their lives had been changed as a result of the program,” said Newman Director of Development for Sciences and Health Sciences Therese Wetta, ASC. Here’s to the next 30 years of program success!

Success Story — David Borho, Class of 2001, 2011

David Borho has experienced many changes and accomplishments in his life. Now the successful business, farm, and parish leader wants to help others change themselves - and society - through his own accomplishments. Despite a busy schedule, Borho found time and motivation to earn a second degree in pastoral ministry from Newman in 2001 through the Interactive Television (ITV) classes and live instruction Newman offers. To assist other Newman students  in changing their lives for the better, Borho gifted $1 million to Newman University to be used for the university’s highest priority need. “I appreciate that I’ve been blessed in my life,” Borho said. “I want others to have the same opportunities that I had.”

"Attending [Newman] offers students not only the opportunity to learn, earn a degree and get a promising job, but also intangible benefits such as establishing a long-term network of supportive peers and mentors who can provide recommendations or open doors to life-changing career opportunities."

David Borho, Class of 2001, 2011

"The nice thing about Newman is there are great professors who are really true to the mission and give students the tools to transform society. With the skills they teach you, they really do prepare you to go out and make a difference, no matter what direction you take in life."

Ed Herzog, Class of 2010, 2011

Director of Vocations, Diocese of Little Rock
School of Catholic Studies
Office: Diocese of Little Rock
|Theology
Director of Christian Leadership for Archdiocese of OKC
School of Catholic Studies
405-721-4208
Office: Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
|Theology
Dean of Catholic Studies, Interim Dean of Bsn, Assoc Professor
School of Catholic Studies
316-942-4291 ext. 2861
Office: MN319
|Theology|MTS
Dean School of Catholic Studies, Director of Gerber Institute
School of Catholic Studies
316-942-4291 ext. 2148
Office: MN301
|Theology|MTS
Associate Professor of Theology
School of Catholic Studies
316-942-4291 ext. 2157
Office: MN305
|Theology|MTS|Pastoral Ministry