Masters of Science in Church Management
Updated December 2020
To apply, click here.
Professional management, financial reporting and development are critical to ensuring our parishes and programs endure for years to come. That’s why the Archdiocese of New York (ADNY) has partnered with Villanova University to create a custom Master’s of Science in Church Management (MSCM) degree for students residing in the 10 counties of the archdiocese.The ADNY MSCM is an innovative, two-year graduate business program in the fundamentals of church and ministry management in a Catholic context. It’s ideal for those interested in serving as parish or cluster business managers, ministry managers, church-related social service managers and more. The 30-credit curriculum is designed for already-busy professionals and intended to be completed in 24 months, part-time. It is delivered entirely online. If you are interested in strengthening your ability to contribute to the Church’s mission in an increasingly complex world – and you want the convenience of an online program – then the ADNY MSCM is for you.
Course of Study
On the ADNY MSCM program, you will gain the following managerial competencies:
- Planning: Strategy formation and implementation, technology/data, and the legal environment
- Controlling: Financial literacy, budgeting, transparency, and financial statements
- Organizing: Human resources, organizational structure and behavior, and advisory board utilization
- Leading: Group dynamics, ecclesiological perspectives, and alignment between the faith community work and values
Specific classes include:
- MSCM 8510: Introduction: Leadership in Religious Organizations/Organizational Ethics/Catholic Social Thought
- MSCM 8520: Civil Law and Church Law for Church Administrators
- MSCM 8530: Introduction to Effective Church Communications and Outreach
- MSCM 8610: Stewardship and Development
- MSCM 8615: Financial Reporting and Controls
- MSCM 8620: Human Resource Management in a Ministry Setting
- MSCM 8630: Information Technology
- MSCM 8635: Church Teaching and Belief
- MSCM 8650: Pastoral Strategic Planning
Click here to learn more about the MSCM curriculum.
To apply to the 2021 ADNY MSCM program, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Who should apply to the ADNY MSCM program? The ADNY MSCM is designed to meet the needs of those wishing to be Church leaders in the Archdiocese of New York: parish business managers, managers of diocesan and religious order departments, those engaged in managing church-related social service ministries and more. It is ideal for professionals who cannot take leave of their positions to relocate and pursue full-time study.
• Who will be admitted? Admission to the program is based on experience, letters of recommendation and a personal essay. Standardized test scores and interviews are not required, but students will need a 3.0 GPA in MSCM courses to graduate.
• When do classes meet? The program begins in the spring. All courses will be provided online. The ADNY MSCM is designed to be completed in two years of part-time study.
• How do online classes work? Lectures are pre-recorded; students may access them when convenient for them. Optional but encouraged, professors host live online tutorial sessions in which they are available to students wishing to discuss material or ask questions. Students also may participate in discussion boards on which they can respond to questions posted by professors and engage in dialogue with each other. These formats offer maximum flexibility while maintaining the integrity of the program.
• How much does the MSCM cost? Tuition for those who enroll in the program this year (2020) will be $10,000 for the entire degree. However, upon completion, the Archdiocese of New York will reimburse one-third of the cost. Click here to learn about more financial aid options.
• Can I compress my studies into less than two years? Ordinarily, students take two courses per semester, which translates into a 24-month program. In special cases, students may be allowed to take more than two courses at a time, enabling them to complete their studies in less time.
• Why Villanova? Villanova School of Business (VSB) has been at the forefront of business education since its founding in 1922 by the Order of Saint Augustine. Today, VSB is ranked the #13 undergraduate business school in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek and is home to the internationally recognized Center for the Study of Church Management – a first-of-its-kind initiative in the U.S. dedicated to serving the Church through education and research. The program is led by economics professor Charles Zech, who is widely recognized for his expertise in Catholic Church management and finances.
For more information, contact Marcus Ryan.