The Institute For Black Catholic Studies Program Description
The Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) is a school of pastoral theology and ministry that meets in the summer on the campus of Xavier University of Louisiana. Established in 1980, the Institute provides a resource and research center for the study of the Black Catholic community in the United States. The Master of Pastoral Theology Program (Th.M.) was founded in 1980 and is the only graduate program in pastoral theology taught primarily from Black Catholic perspectives in the United States. Like the other educational components of the Institute, Th.M. degree program courses focus on Black approaches, resources and critiques; and contributes to Black Catholic history, philosophy, systematic and pastoral theologies, preaching, catechetics, aesthetics, and pastoral ministry. Access the 2023 brochure here:Admission Requirements
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution who demonstrate successful academic and professional potential for ministry will be considered. Admission to the Graduate Degree Program depends on admission to the Graduate Division of the College of Arts and Sciences of Xavier University. Applicants for admission must present:
1.
Completed Graduate Division of the College of Arts and Sciences application form accompanied by the application fee.
2.
Official transcript(s) of all undergraduate and, where applicable, of all post-baccalaureate course work. Full admission requires an overall minimum average of 2.5 (on a scale of 4.0). An applicant with a Master degree must submit both official graduate transcripts to the Graduate Division of the College of Arts and Sciences.
4.
Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Minimum acceptance is 800 on the GRE (verbal and Quantitative) or 30 on the MAT. Scores must be within five years of application to the Graduate Division of the College of Arts and Sciences. The testing agency must submit those scores directly to the Graduate Division of the College of Arts and Sciences. An applicant possessing a Master’s degree from an accredited institution is not required to take the GRE or MAT.
5.
Evidence of proficiency in written English. International applicants must present the results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
6.
Transient (Visiting) Students must submit an updated transcript and a letter of recommendation from an academic representative of their home school with their IBCS application. At semester end, the student should request the transfer of IBCS/XULA credit hours earned (no more than 9 hours total) to their home institution
Application Deadline
| Fall | Spring |
| April 1 – Priority | October 1 – Priority |
| May 1 – General | December 1 – General |
For more information about the IBCS Master of Theology program, visit the website www.xula.edu/ibcs, email ibcs@xula.edu or call 504/520-7691
If you have questions, contact the Office of Graduate Program at (504) 520–7487 or via email at ogp@xula.edu