This fall, several programs from Fordham’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education (GRE) will be formally integrated within the Graduate School of Education (GSE), uniting these offerings under one shared mission: to prepare future education leaders grounded in equity, care, and scholarship. The move will come after the Aug. 15 closure of the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education as a distinct school within the University.
Shared Jesuit Values
According to Ji Seon Lee, Ph.D., interim dean of GSE, this strategic transition is more than a structural change. It’s a proactive step to ensure the longevity of these programs, enrich the student experience, and reaffirm Fordham’s Jesuit values: holistic education, intellectual rigor, and a deep commitment to the common good.
“By uniting our strengths in education, leadership, and spiritual formation, we are better positioned to offer innovative, interdisciplinary programs that respond to the complex challenges facing our world today,” Lee said.
The integration will allow students to benefit from shared faculty expertise from both schools as well as shared resources in marketing, facilities, and more.
Supporting Students Through the Transition
The University is dedicated to supporting all current GRE students in completing their programs. Students enrolled in GRE degree tracks not being incorporated into GSE will be able to finish their studies with support from GRE faculty. Those who have not completed their degrees by the end of summer 2025 will be automatically transitioned to GSE.
All students will benefit from GSE’s strong reputation and resources—including its faculty, partnerships, and facilities—as well as the school’s longstanding Center for Catholic School Leadership and Faith-Based Education. GSE students, faculty, and programs will benefit from the wealth of knowledge of GRE faculty, including their expertise in ministerial preparation, religious education, spiritual leadership, and mental health counseling.
“The GRE faculty and I are eager to share our academic and pastoral expertise with the faculty and students of GSE,” said GRE Acting Dean Francis X. McAloon, S.J., who will return to his role as an associate professor in Christian spirituality and Ignatian studies. “This integration offers a unique coming together of two rich and long-standing traditions within Fordham University: education and spirituality.”
Which Programs Will Move to GSE?
Two degree programs from GRE will join GSE’s offerings:
- Doctorate of Ministry
- Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality
Several of GRE’s advanced certificate programs will also continue through GSE:
- Advanced Certificate in Christian Spirituality
- Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction
- Advanced Certificate in Jesuit Studies
Doctorate of Ministry
GRE’s Doctor of Ministry program will be integrated into GSE’s Division of Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy. The program will complement GSE’s existing Ph.D. program in Administration and Supervision for Church and Non-Public School Leadership, and specific courses will be shared between both programs as electives. Students in the Doctor of Ministry program will be required to complete courses in educational leadership.
MA in Christian Spirituality and Certificate Programs
The Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality program will be offered through GSE’s Center for Catholic School Leadership and Faith-Based Education, along with the Advanced Certificate in Christian Spirituality, Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction, and Advanced Certificate in Jesuit Studies programs.
The center has a long history of offering professional development opportunities for students and guiding them through meaningful research, including doctoral dissertations. Its strong relationships with local Catholic and other faith-based schools, as well as its deep ties to the Archdiocese and the Vatican, have allowed Fordham to make a positive impact on Catholic education across the globe.
With the addition of GRE faculty and programs, the center will expand its offerings and expertise, enhancing its foundation in the principles of Ignatian pedagogy and Jesuit spirituality.
Continued Growth
According to Lee, this pivotal moment reflects a strengthening of Fordham’s commitment to forming future leaders in faith-based education.
“We welcome our colleagues from GRE with open hearts and great anticipation,” Lee said. “Together, we look forward to the continued growth of a learning community rooted in purpose, compassion, and excellence.”
