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I got an e-mail from one of our readers today. I left Loyola University New Orleans out of our story on Catholic university offerings in the Valley.

“Loyola offers a great Institute of Ministry program here in the Phoenix area and it is sponsored by the Diocese of Phoenix,” she wrote. “We currently have our 7th cohort in session with another one in the formation process.”

She also offered this synopsis of what the program entails:

Loyola University New Orleans, through its Institute for Ministry (LIM), offers master’s degrees and certificates in pastoral studies and religious education entirely onsite in a local area. Through a partnership with local sponsoring agencies, a diocese, parish, retreat center, or other established institutions, Loyola has offered these degrees and certificates in the extension format since 1983. The program is known as the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Program.

We’ll be sure to include Loyola University New Orleans in future stories. But, truth be told, there were many other universities left out. We focused on the University of the Incarnate Word because they’ll be building a permanent structure in the Valley. University of Mary and Ave Maria University offer courses here in Phoenix (at St. Joseph’s Hospital and at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, respectively).

Oftentimes in this business we deal with the limits of time and space — especially space on the printed page. So we had to chose three universities for the article. Online, however, there are fewer limits.

Here are some other university offerings:

Felician College, Lodi New Jersey offers a 36-hour program that prepares students for research in theological and ministerial studies through an online format taught by active campus professors.

Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville Ohio offers a 36-hour correspondence program in Sacred Scripture that utilizes pre-recorded class lectures and course books with a 6 credit hour residency requirement.

Holy Apostles Seminary & College, Cromwell Connecticut offers a 36-hour online program with 4 concentrations in Theology and also offers a non-thesis terminal degree option.

University of Dallas, School of Ministry, Dallas Texas offers 36-hour online program has 4 concentrations in Theology.  Utilizing the Blackboard application supplemented by online lecture each course is taught by active professors on campus.

University of Notre Dame, South Bend Indiana offers a 42-hour summer program that combines online classes through STEP (Notre Dames Online Satellite School of Theology) and 4-6 summer residencies that offer a terminal degree in Theology.

~JD