University of Dallas School of Ministry Brings Online Master's Program to Archdiocese of Atlanta

April 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Beginning in the fall of 2010, qualified graduate students will have the opportunity to pursue this rigorous online program at the University of Dallas. In the arrangement signed in March, the Archdiocese will actively recruit and recommend students for the program. Students who receive recommendation by the Archdiocese will be eligible for a tuition discount from the University of Dallas.

“We chose the University of Dallas School of Ministry because of its solid reputation as a theological center of higher learning. Having well-formed and educated career ministry professionals is essential for creating successful faith formation frameworks in parishes,” said Deacon Dennis L. Johnson Jr., director of the Office of Formation and Discipleship at the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

The School of Ministry, which has been educating career ministry professionals for the past two decades, has consistently proven to be creative in meeting the formation needs of the contemporary Church.

Due to such innovative outreach, Deacon Johnson approached the School of Ministry to develop high quality faith formation and graduate theological education for the 750,000 Catholics in the Ecclesiastical Province of Atlanta, which consists of the three states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“This agreement illustrates the mission and commitment of the UD School of Ministry to be of service to local and regional dioceses in innovative as well as traditional venues,” said Dr. Brian Schmisek, dean of the School of Ministry. “We are willing and able to create more agreements with various dioceses, especially those not served by a local Catholic university, such as the Atlanta Archdiocese.”

The School of Ministry pioneered a similar program for the Diocese of Tyler Texas in 2009 to assist the diocese in meeting its formation needs.

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The University of Dallas is a Catholic, co-educational university located in Irving, Texas, a city of 150,000 residents on the northwest boundary of the city of Dallas.