School of Theology and Ministry

Degree Programs

school of theology and ministry

mooney

 

degree programs


Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MA)
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
Master of Education in Religious Education (MEd)
Master of Arts in Spiritual Direction (MA)
Master of Theology (ThM)
Certificate of Advanced Educational Specialization, Religious Education (CAES) (offered with LSOE)
Doctor of Philosophy, Theology and Education (PhD) (offered with GSAS)

Canonical Degrees
Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB)
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)
Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)

Dual/Joint Degrees
In collaboration with other BC professional schools:
MA/MSW | MA/MBA | MA/MS Nursing | MA/MA Counseling

In collaboration with Lynch School of Education (LSOE):
MA Higher Education Administration, Catholic University Leadership
MEd Educational Administration, Catholic School Leadership
MEd Religious Education, Catholic School Leadership Concentration

Summer Institute

 

degree programs DESCRIPTIONS

Master of Divinity (MDiv)
The MDiv is a three-year degree program (81 credits) intended for those seeking the comprehensive theological, pastoral, and spiritual formation needed for ordained ministry or professional lay ecclesial ministry. Students complete course work in all the theological and ministerial disciplines—Scripture, Systematic, Historical and Moral Theology, Church History, Word and Worship, and Pastoral Studies. The degree is not focused on a particular ministry, but prepares students to assume leadership positions in varied ministerial settings. The MDiv meets official Church standards for the first three years of theology prescribed in the Program for Priestly Formation and the requirements of Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord.

Master of Education in Religious Education (MEd)
The MEd is intended for lay, religious, and ordained students wishing to become religious educators in parishes and in Catholic, private, or public schools. The program has concentrations in Total Community Catechesis, School Religion Teaching, Interreligious Understanding, Catholic School Leadership, or no concentration. It also serves the needs of K–12 Catholic school administrators who wish to augment their experience and knowledge of educational administration with the study of Catholic culture, theology, and mission. Students enroll in courses in theology, ministry, and education. Depending on the concentration, the degree can be completed in summer-only study. The degree can also meet the requirements for lay ecclesial ministry in Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord. The MEd is offered through the Boston College Lynch School of Education.

Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MA)
The MA in Pastoral Ministry is a multifaceted, flexible two-year program (44 credits in the academic year; 35 credits in summers) that prepares ministers either as generalists or for a particular ministry. Concentrations include Liturgy and Worship, Health Care Ministry, Pastoral Care, Religious Education, Spirituality, Social Justice/Social Ministry, Youth and Young Adult Faith, Hispanic Ministry (15 credits, plus language requirement), Church Management, or no concentration. The MA in Pastoral Ministry can also be completed through the IREPM Summer Institute. The program also partners with other Boston College programs to form dual-degree options in Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Nursing, and Business Administration. The degree can meet the requirements for lay ecclesial ministries in Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord.

Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
The MTS is a two-year degree (48 credits) that provides a basic understanding of theological disciplines. It is intended for individuals who wish to pursue further theological study, who wish to incorporate theology into their current professions, or simply for those who want a solid theological understanding of the faith. The required course work in all theological disciplines, together with a specific concentration, sets this degree apart from other first-level MA degrees in theology.


Master of Theology (ThM)
The ThM is a one-year degree (24 credits) that is intended to deepen and focus a student’s foundational knowledge of theological disciplines and ministerial practice. It is intended for lay or ordained ministers who possess an MDiv and wish to further their theological studies. It can be used to fulfill the fourth year of graduate theological study required for ordination.

Master of Arts in Spiritual Direction (MA)
The MA in Spiritual Direction is a two-year program intended for experienced spiritual directors who wish to further develop their skills in spiritual direction through formal training. Students complete 24 academic credits in theology before completing 24 practica credits at the Center for Religious Development in Cambridge, MA.

Doctor of Philosophy, Theology and Education (PhD)
The PhD focuses on the interdisciplinary study of theology and education. It is intended for those wishing to move into academic teaching and research positions in theology, practical theology, and religious education. The PhD is offered through the Boston College Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.


Certificate of Advanced Educational Specialization, Religious Education (CAES)
CAES is a two-year (36 credits in the academic year; 30 credits in summers) post-master’s degree with a major in religious education. It is intended for experienced ministers with master’s degrees who wish to focus on a particular area of research. The CAES is offered through the Lynch School of Education.

Canonical Degrees DESCRIPTIONS

Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB)
The STB is the first theology degree in the ecclesiastical cycle. The degree requirements are similar to those of the MDiv, and the program is open to anyone who meets the admissions requirements of the MDiv program and possesses a minimum of two years of philosophy studies.

Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)
The STL is a two-year (33 credits) program and is the second in the ecclesiastical cycle. Students pursue a specialization in a particular branch of theology to develop advanced theological expertise that prepares them to serve in official capacities within dioceses and religious communities and to teach theology in major seminaries, diocesan schools, and other institutions of higher learning. It is intended for lay men and women, diocesan priests, and members of religious orders who possess an STB or an appropriate BD or MDiv. It can also be used to fulfill the fourth year of graduate theological study required for ordination. Students in the PhD program in the Department of Theology at Boston College who possess an STB (or an appropriate BD or MDiv) can receive an STL in conjunction with their PhD course work and dissertation.

Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)
The STD is the highest degree in the ecclesiastical cycle and requires an STL for admission. The degree forms scholars who combine a broad knowledge of an area, a critical knowledge of theological methods, and an ability to do original research, and who make significant scholarly contributions in a particular field. In addition to preparing students to teach in seminaries and other institutions of higher learning, the STD prepares its recipients for membership on an ecclesiastical faculty.



Boston Theological Institute

As a constituent member of the ecumenical consortium known as the Boston Theological Institute (BTI), Boston College School of Theology and Ministry students can access the extraordinary academic resources of other Boston-area theological programs: Andover Newton Theological School, Boston College Department of Theology, Boston University School of Theology, Episcopal Divinity School, Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and Saint John’s Seminary. The mission of the BTI is to contribute to the formation of Church leaders with strong ecumenical commitment, to enhance the particular gifts of each school, and to cooperate in providing opportunities for student, faculty, curriculum, and program cooperation. The theological collections of the BTI schools together contain more than 1.5 million volumes and constitute one of the richest centers of theological libraries in the world. Cross-registration, which incurs no additional tuition charges, widens the opportunity for more than 3,000 students to enjoy an unparalleled number of possibilities in academic courses and programming.

Melissa Kelley

"We ask and wrestle with the great questions of faith, meaning, suffering, and justice. God, both faithful and challenging, feels very present in all we do. This is why I teach here."

—Melissa M. Kelley, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care and Contextual Education