1. Stages of Doctoral Study
Stage 1 (usually year 1 & 2)
- Admission
- Orientation to Boston, IREPM, and doctoral program
- Meet regularly with academic advisor to select courses and converse about future directions
- Engage in coursework
- Participate in ED936 Doctoral and Advanced Seminar in Religious Education during first two years of residency
- Participate in scheduled doctoral student - faculty conversations about comprehensives, proposals and other aspects of the doctoral program
- Participate in informal doctoral student gatherings for support and information
- Complete language requirement
Stage 2 (usually year 3)
- Completion of coursework
- Complete Third Year Phd Work Requirement (for example, serving as a teaching or research assistant)
- Establish comprehensive examination committee - Prepare and take comprehensive exams under the direction of academic advisor
- Establish dissertation committee
- Participate in scheduled community conversations about comprehensives, proposals and other aspects of the doctoral program
- Participate in informal student gatherings for support and information
Stage 3 (year 4 & beyond)
- Prepare dissertation proposal and have proposal hearing
- Write dissertation
- Submit and defend dissertation as described earlier in this document
- Graduation
2.Transfer of Credit
IREPM degree students may transfer a total of six graduate credits from another university or school of theology after completing one semester of study and subject to the following criteria: ¥ at the date of the student's IREPM graduation, his or her transfer credits may be no more than five years old; ¥ transfer credits must have been obtained for graduate-level coursework; ¥ a minimum grade of "B" must have been received for each transfer course; ¥ credit must not have been used in obtaining any other degree; ¥ coursework must be relevant to the student's IREPM degree program. Students interested in transferring credit must obtain a Transfer of Credit request, available at the IREPM, and an official transcript of the courses they wish to transfer. Both must be sent together to the Boston College Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3931, Attention: Associate Director for Academic Affairs. If possible, it is recommended that students discuss possible transfers with the Associate Director for Academic Affairs prior to taking the course(s).
3. Time Limit
- All requirements for the doctorate must be completed within eight consecutive years from the commencement of doctoral studies.
- An extension may be granted upon departmental recommendation and with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Petitions for extension are available at the IREPM.
4. Leave of Absence
Students who wish to interrupt their program for one or more semesters must file a form in the Student Services Office, indicating expected dates of the leave and having the written approval of the IREPM Associate Director for Academic Affairs. When students on leave are ready to resume their program of studies, they must apply for re-admission at least 6 weeks prior to the semester in which they expect to enroll. Whether or not the leave time is to be considered a portion of the total time limit for the degree is a matter to be agreed upon initially between the student and the Associate Director for Academic Affairs, approved by the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Science, and stated on the "Leave of Absence" form. "Leave of Absence" forms may be obtained in the Student Services Office or the IREPM Center.
5. University Jurisdiction
- The Educational Policy Committee: An Educational Policy Committee, appointed by the Director of the IREPM, and composed of members of the IREPM, the Theology Department, and the Lynch School of Education, sets internal policy, including requests for adjustments to these regulations, approval of comprehensive examination committees, and approval of dissertation committee.
- Admissions Committee: An Admissions Committee, appointed by the Director of the IREPM and composed of members of the IREPM, the Department of Theology, and the Lynch School of Education, evaluates and determines admission to the program.
- The IREPM Associate Director for Academic Affairs serves as the executive secretary of the Educational Policy Committee and Admissions Committees.
- All decisions are subject to the approval of the Dean's Office, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, McGuinn 221.
6. Course Loads
IREPM degree students may take only one course for credit in each two-week summer session. However, a six-week Directed Research may also be completed during the summer program.
7. Special 3-credit Course Policies
Doctoral students may request to take one summer course for three credits or to take a two-credit and a one-credit course concurrently, if the extra credit is needed to complete their degree requirements. This three-credit option may be exercised only once during the student's degree program, and must be approved by the first day of the course.
8. Pass/Fail
Select courses are designated Pass/Fail. A limited opportunity exists to take other courses Pass/Fail. All requests for Pass/Fail credit, beyond taking courses designated Pass/Fail, must be approved by the student's academic advisor. Approval must also be obtained from the professor, the Associate Director for Academic Affairs and the Graduate School during the registration period.
9. Directed Research
Directed research may be pursued on a specialized topic not currently covered in the curriculum, depending on the availability of faculty to work with a student. Subject matter and requirements must be worked out with the professor and approved by the Associate Director for Academic Affairs.
10. Incompletes
A student may, with adequate reason, and at the discretion of the instructor, take an incomplete in a course. A formal request must be made through the professor and the Associate Director for Academic Affairs. For approval to be granted, a date for completion must be agreed upon. Except in extraordinary cases, all such "I" grades will automatically be changed to "F" after six weeks in the semester following the semester in which the course was taken.
11. Weekend Courses
Doctoral students may take these as their program permits, up to the maximum of six credits. Weekend courses are pass/fail only.
12. Online Courses
The IREPM usually offers online courses for credit during the academic year. Students may take up to six credits (two courses) of these courses toward their degree requirements. Hybrid courses are not included in these 6 credits.
13. Graduation
Students who have completed all their degree requirements may be cleared for graduation in December, May or September. Those who plan to graduate should register for graduation through the Boston College Agora System by the appropriate deadline.
14. Scholarships and Fees
All students admitted to the doctoral program receive 4 years of full tuition plus a stipend of approximately $18,000/year. After the initial 4 years, each student is charged a doctoral continuation fee, which is equal to 1 credit hour per semester enrolled. In exchange, in their third year students are required to render five hours per week of service to the IREPM as a teaching, research, or administrative assistant.