General
Applying
International Students

What is the latest incoming class like?

• 60 percent of all new students are lay
• 50 percent of all new lay students are female and 50% are male
• 40 percent of all new students are from Catholic Religious orders or are Priests
• 24 countries - from every continent - are represented in the new incoming class
• 32 percent of the incoming class is international
• 22 is the youngest age and 68 is the oldest age for the new incoming class

GENERAL:
Can I find you on Facebook?
Yes! Click here and like our page so you can be updated on the latest news!

Can I visit?
Absolutely. We are a vital community hosting guests throughout the year. We sponsor an annual STM Campus Visit Day in the fall. This day is a day-long program that enables you to sit in on a class, engage students, faculty and administration directly, and experience life at the school first-hand. You are also welcome to contact the Office of Admissions to set up a personal visit during the school year.
 
Can I just take a class or two? Twenty percent of our students are part-time, non-degree seeking special students. As a special student, you can take up to five classes a semester without having to enroll in a degree program. If you then decide to apply for a degree, classes taken as a special student can be credited toward your degree. If you would like to sit in on a class without fulfilling the requirements for credit, you can apply as an auditor. CE Auditors can attend one class per semester.

Can I take classes outside of the STM?
Absolutely. Students taking at least one course for credit may do so, through the Boston Theological Institute (BTI), the world’s largest theological consortium. Students can cross-register at local universities that participate in the consortium, such as Harvard University, and Boston University. Students may take up to 50 percent of their course work at a BTI school. BTI member schools include Harvard Divinity School, Boston College - Department of Theology, Boston University - School of Theology, Episcopal Divinity School, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Andover Newton Theological School, Holy Cross School of Theology, and St. John’s Seminary.
 
What kind of employment can graduates expect to find?
Graduates serve in many different fields. They are employed as campus ministers, college/university faculty, hospital or hospice chaplains, social workers, school teachers, publishers, healthcare coordinators, and spiritual directors. Some continue graduate education in doctoral programs at leading universities throughout the country. Others choose to subsequently attend medical or law school. STM is committed to the theological and spiritual education of lay, religious, and clerical leaders in the context of their vocational goals.
 
Do you offer an ecclesiastical doctoral program?
STM offers a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.). The S.T.D is granted under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church. It qualifies one to teach in a Roman Catholic faculty of theology. You must posses a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) before enrolling in the S.T.D. program.
 
I’ve heard that the school has an ecclesiastical faculty. What does that mean?
The School has a canonical or ecclesiastical faculty, meaning that it is empowered by the Vatican to grant ecclesiastical degrees. As an ecclesiastical faculty, we can offer theology degrees that are only available at a few schools in North America. These degrees provide preparation in advanced theological areas, preparing students for teaching in a seminary and Church leadership positions – both lay and religious – in the Catholic Church.

APPLYING:
Do I need to have a theology major to apply?
All undergraduate majors are considered. While a strong liberal arts background is very helpful, our students come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Only about 40 percent of our students have an undergraduate degree in religion or theology.

Do I need to take the GRE?
For all degree programs the school requires that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be taken. The GRE requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Admissions Committee for applicants who have completed a graduate degree program, except in the case of those applying for the Ph.D. and S.T.D.. International students must also take the GRE, unless they have completed a graduate degree program.

Can I defer once I am accepted?
Yes. Applicants may defer their offer of admission for up to a year. Applicants who have been accepted into a program should notify the Admissions Office as soon as possible with any changes in their enrollment plans.

Is housing available?
Yes. Click here for the different options.

What financial aid is available?
Our students receive a combination of tuition scholarships and federal Stafford loans. Over half of students who apply receive scholarships that cover more than half of their tuition. Decisions are based upon academic achievement, financial need, vocational clarity, and promise for ministry.

To be eligible for STM scholarships, you must complete the STM Financial Aid Application. When you submit this form, you will automatically be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible. If you are interested in Federal Stafford loans, you must also submit a FAFSA and BC Graduate Financial Aid form.

For additional information on student loans and to download the forms, please go to: http://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/finaid/grad/begin.html

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
What if I am an international student?
All international students must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if their first language is not English. If accepted, international students must also complete the I-20 application and be able to prove that they can fund their studies during their program at STM.

Can you grant me a visa as an international student?
If accepted and after meeting the financial certification requirements, you will be issued the Form I-20, which certifies to the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 Visa Student Status. It certifies that you have met our admission requirements, have been accepted for a full course of study, and have proven to us that you have enough money to study and live in the United States. I-20 forms are usually mailed 90 days prior to the start of fall classes. The forms are mailed only after you have been accepted, have confirmed your intention to enroll, and have submitted financial certification.

What happens after I receive my I-20 form?
Take your acceptance letter, your I-20 form, your bank statement or financial certification, and passport to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, preferably in your country of citizenship, to obtain your student (F-1) visa. Be prepared to explain to the embassy or consulate officials how your U.S. education will relate to your future in your home country. Once you have your F-1 visa, you will not be admitted to the United States until a date 30 days or less prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date, as given on your I-20 Form. Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.