Santa Clara University Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries More Changes in GPPM
Connections
by Gary Macy
November 2013
Some of you may have heard rumors about changes in the curriculum in the GPPM. Well, I don’t know what you heard, so I don’t know if what you heard is correct, but it is correct that the GPPM has a new curriculum. Before you panic, the new curriculum only affects those who will begin in the Program in the Fall of 2014, so be at peace, current students. After years of thought and consultation with students, the faculty have decided to introduce a few changes that will simplify our curriculum, help us shape the Program more to the needs of each individual student and allow us to offer more new and innovative courses. The first and biggest change is that there will be basically one program for everyone. There will be seven foundational courses that everyone takes. We are adding a course in Sacraments and Liturgy to the current six foundational courses. Apart from those seven courses, each student can create a program to fit the needs of his or her own ministry and vocation. There will be two exceptions to this general rule. Those who wish to specialize in Hispanic Ministry will be required attend the Instituto Hispano offered by the Jesuit School of Theology and to take the graduate courses that will run concurrently with the Instituto. These students will also be required to take the course, Latino/a Theology in the United States. Of course, any student may take that course as well. Deacons also may be required by their diocese to take particular courses offered by the Program. Most deacons, for instance, take a course in canon law. Once again that course is open to all students, but is not a requirement except for the Deacons. Finally, the much-dreaded comprehensive exams will be replaced by an eportfolio system. What the blazes, you might ask, is an “eportfolio?” Actually it is pretty simple. Santa Clara has an easy-to-use website (http://www.scu.edu/ eportfolio/) that explains it all, but let’s just say that it is a place where you keep all the papers, exams and other projects that you prepare in each of your GPPM courses. Twice during your degree program, you look back over those papers to see how they helped you achieve the ten objectives of the Program. A Mid Program Review will take place after the completion of eight courses. Each student will write an essay assessing her or his progress in the program and also select those assignments that best demonstrate how the objectives of the program have been met. (continued, next page)