Prospective Students
How can I find out if there is a sponsoring agency or diocese in my area?
Search our list of sponsoring agencies to see if one is located near you.
Why should I earn my degree from the Loyola Institute for Ministry?
The Institute has over 50 years of experience in preparing adults to serve in ministry positions in their parishes, dioceses, and secular workplaces. The strength of our fully accredited extension program is the intentional learning community in a local setting and its ongoing invitation to disciplined conversation.
First, view the program's admissions requirements online. Students may apply online. The application fee is waived for students using the online application.
Whom may I contact with admissions questions?
Please contact the Loyola liaison of your sponsoring agency for initial admissions and start-up information. You would have met this individual at an information session in your location.
What is the difference between the graduate and certificate (ceu) programs?
Graduate and certificate students participate together in the learning groups, completing the same assignments for each session. To receive graduate credit that is used toward a graduate certificate or degree, graduate students complete graduate-level assignments, including a final paper. Normally, CEU students receive credit based on session attendance.
To enroll as a graduate student, one must have a bachelor's degree, while to enroll in the certificate program, one does not.
Graduate students earn a graduate degree (for completing 36 credits) or a graduate certificate (if they decide not to continue online after completing the 6 courses or 18 credits offered onsite in the learning group). CEU students earn a 36-credit CEU certificate or an 18-credit CEU certificate (if they decide not to continue online after the 6 courses offered onsite in the learning group).
How much does the program cost?
Current graduate tuition for Academic Year 2023-24 is $425 per credit hour ($1,275 per course). Current tuition for the continuing education certificates, including the advanced continuing education certificate, is $135 per CEU ($405 per course). Extension graduate students pay university fees as well. Current tuition and fee schedules are available from Student Financial Services.
How many courses can I take onsite in the LIMEX format?
The Loyola Institute for Ministry offers six courses or 18 credits in the onsite LIMEX format. Upon completion of those six courses, students earn the 18-credit Certificate in Theology and Ministry. They may continue taking courses online and combine the LIMEX and online courses towards a 36-credit master's degree or CEU certificate.
May I alternate taking LIMEX and online courses?
The formation of the LIMEX learning community is very important. Powerful and inspiring learning takes place there, so much so that some groups continue meeting for prayer and learning years after they graduate. As a result, consistency in group participation is important. We ask, therefore, that students who study in LIMEX commit themselves to completing all 6 courses in the LIMEX format. At the same time, we understand that life happens. If a health, family, or other issue arises that prevents students from participating in a LIMEX course, they would be able to make up the course online and re-join the LIMEX group when feasible.
May I take online courses at the same time as I take LIMEX courses?
LIMEX students intent on pursuing a 36-credit credential such as a master's degree or CEU certificate may take online courses not offered in the LIMEX format simultaneously with their LIMEX courses. This will allow them to complete their program more quickly. Please consult the online course rotation and your advisor for assistance in selecting courses.
What are liaisons and sponsoring agencies?
A sponsoring agency is a diocese, parish, retreat center, or other institution that sponsors the Loyola program in an onsite location away from Loyola's main campus. Liaisons oversee the initation of the Loyola program for sponsoring agencies. They also oversee its operation, in part through ongoing communication with facilitators.
Current Students
The Bursar’s Office offers an enhanced e-Commerce System (with instructional videos) for paying your LIM extension (onsite) program tuition. Tuition payments may also be made via wire transfer or by mail (check or money order) with a copy of your student bill. Students are expected to make payment at time of registration. Tuition is always due by the first day of class. To view your account online, log in to the Single Sign On, and click on the LORA Self-Service app.
Tuition payment options through Loyola’s e-Commerce system include paying by Electronic Check (Free Service) and payment by all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Tuition payments by credit card are only accepted online through the e-Commerce processor who will charge a 2.75% non-refundable convenience fee.
In addition, you can set up your Loyola Administrative Liaison, or other third party payers such as parish bookkeepers, other employers, or family members as authorized users to access your student account. You choose the amount of access you will allow your authorized user; you can limit access to only allow payments to be made, or to viewing student bills. Authorized users pay tuition through the e-Commerce Gateway.
The e-Commerce system should be available every day except during daily scheduled maintenance which occurs from 3:45AM (CST) until 8:00AM (CST). Questions can be directed to the Bursar's Office staff by e-mailing bursar@loyno.edu or by calling (504) 865-2388.
How can I check my grades/ceu credit?
View grades, transcripts, and account summaries, find out your Loyola email address, and change mailing and e-mail addresses using the online Loyola Online Records Access (LORA) Self-Service. Log in to the Single Sign On, and click on the LORA Self-Service app.
Where may I find out more about using the library from off campus?
Go to the Monroe Library’s Distance Learning page or to the LIM Guide to Written Theological Reflection Found in every LIMEX Course in Canvas. Also helpful is the Off-campus Electronic Product Troubleshooting page which explains how to access electronic resources from off-campus with your Gmail user name and PIN. Get answers to questions about Canvas and eSubmission of assignments here.
How do I find out my Loyola email address, and do I need to use it?
You can find your Loyola e-mail address in your admissions letter or in the "Personal Info" section of your LORA account. All official communications from Loyola will be sent to that account, so you need to check it regularly. In addition, if you wish to access the many useful databases and e-books that the Loyola Library holds in its collection, you will need to know your Loyola email address. (See "Where may I find out more about using the library from off campus?" above).
What is LORA, and do I need to use it?
LORA is short for Loyola Online Records Access and is a web-based service that allows you to sign each semester's registration agreement, view grades, transcripts, and account summaries, find out your Loyola email address, and change mailing and e-mail addresses.To access LORA Self-Service, log in to the Single Sign On, and click on the LORA Self-Service app.
LIM extension students do not register for classes on LORA; this is done with their facilitator in the learning group. Students only need to complete the registration agreement in LORA each semester.
How do I get my course materials (LIM course book and syllabus)?
To download course materials, you will need to login to Canvas, the university's learning management system. Visit this page for Information on how to login to Canvas. For help logging into Loyola's Single Sign On, which allows you to access Canvas, LORA, and many other useful tools and services, go here.
How do I use Canvas to submit my course assignments?
For questions about using Canvas or eSubmission of assignments, go here.