The Online M.S. Ecclesial Administration and Management degree empowers pastors (and lay men and women) to implement best managerial practices. Designed with a theological and spiritual framework, MEAM responds to the needs of  dioceses, schools, hospitals, and non-profits inspired by the Catholic Faith.

MEAM is a one-year online program in management, accounting, finance, planning, decision-making, and the virtues of leadership. The program’s goal is for its graduates to imitate the Master who “came not to be served but to serve” (Mt 20:28) and thereby to steward the treasure and talent of God’s creation.

The program’s faculty is drawn from the Busch School of Business, comprising experts in civil and ecclesial practice. Instruction is supplemented by guest lecturers and seminar-leaders from parishes, schools, seminaries, dioceses, and apostolates.

  • EAM 502: Administration and Pastoral Ministry

    This course introduces seminarians to the practical side of ministering as a priest in a parish to integrate the hard skills of business administration and management into the processes and protocols regarding the preparation, administration, and registration of the sacraments and other features of pastoral ministry, especially within the life of the parish. Within the context of effective management for institutional mission and excellence in ¿customer service¿, participants review the universal law and learn their respective diocesan policies concerning sacramental records, the 7 sacraments, the declaration of nullity process, vocations, funerals, and parish devotional life. The course assignments integrate the theoretical through practical exercises of best business practices such that the participants develop communication and conflict management skills, leadership, group dynamics, time management, contact record management (CRM), and pastorally effective web design along with theological reflection to minister to the Christian faithful from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The course will implement an asynchronous e-learning format that can be completed during a Vocational Synthesis period or other pastoral period and is designed to leverage the experience in the pastoral setting to accelerate learning of theory in practice under the supervision of a local instructor.   

  • EAM 503: Celebration of the Rites

    This eminently practical course, specifically designed for those men in proximate preparation to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, offers practical instruction in the celebration of the rites in accord with USCCB guidelines along with administrative considerations and best practices for the celebrants and lay ministers that assist them in a spirit of effective teamwork. The course will also be an effective aid for those laity with administrative responsibilities in the parish, diocese, school, hospital, or other non-profit inspired by the Catholic faith that offers the celebration of the Catholic Rites: Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick, and sacramentals such as blessings of persons and sacred objects.   

  • EAM 512: Finance and Asset Management

    This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of interpreting financial reports and of investment portfolio management for stewards of Church assets. The course provides participants with an overview of the nature of the financial services industry and best practices in the design and oversight of investment portfolios. While emphasizing the governing principle of fiduciary duty the course uses case studies to explore innovative mechanisms in Church settings.   

  • EAM 513: Strategic and Operational Leadership

    This course offers the tools for defining, advancing, and measuring strategic goals for a parish, diocese or other Church apostolate and the effective employment of financial resources. These tools include a practical understanding of operating and capital budgeting and subsequent monitoring and reporting. Financial and asset management and control tools to protect against fraud and embezzlement will be offered. Innovative models for investing, lending, and borrowing will be proposed. Moreover, techniques of leadership and team building for effective implementation of finance councils and boards will be displayed to help the student achieve confidence in a financial management role as a priest or lay person effecting the mission of the Church.