Ph.D. in Theology and Education

Ph.D. in Theology and Education

A truly interdisciplinary doctoral program

The Ph.D. in theology and education prepares future leaders and scholars in the integrative field of religious education. The program combines resources from STM, the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, and the Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. Participants take courses in theology, education, and religious education; faculty members from each of these areas serve on both the comprehensive examination committee and on the dissertation committee.

STM Faculty

Department of Theology Faculty

Lynch School of Education Faculty

 

programs of study

ph.d. handbook

At a Glance

How long will it take?

Most students complete the program over four or five years.

Coursework and Residency

The program typically includes 50 credits of coursework beyond the master’s degree.
The minimum residency requirement is two years of full-time study.

Funding

All Ph.D. students receive a four-year stipend of $20,000/year,
plus a full tuition scholarship.

Religious Education Faculty

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Recent Graduate Placements

Professor, Jesuit Theological College, Melbourne, Australia
 

Professor of Environmental Ethics, Department of Theology University of Portland
 

Member of Irish Senate
 

Associate Professor of Theology, Aquinas Institute of Theology
 

Director of Contextual Education and Congregational Partnerships, Boston University School of Theology

 

 

Professor, Mount Mary College
 

Head of Chapel, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry


Associate Professor, Director of Pastoral Ministry
Program, Duquesne University


Professor of Christian/Jewish Learning, St. Joseph’s University
 

President, College of St. Mary

 

 

Our Alumni


Application Information

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Deadlines

all Fall 2020 PhD applications are due on January 15, 2020

Application Form

Application Fee

A non-refundable fee of $75 is required for every degree and non-degree application submitted.

Payment Options

  • Pay by credit or debit card via the web; You can pay the application fee at the same time your submit your application form.  However, if you do not pay the fee at the same time you submit your application, you can pay online at a later date through the Agora Portal. You must use your BC Username and password to log in.

  • Pay by check or money order made payable to Boston College, via regular mail.  Please include your check with a copy of your application form submission confirmation page and include your name and intended degree program.


Please note: The application fee cannot be refunded for any reason. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you should not pay the fee when you submit the application form. Fee waivers are automatically granted to the following applicants: Jesuits, veterans, applicants currently completing a year of service, and current STM students. We do not waive the application fee for other reasons.

Standardized Tests

GRE scores
All applicants applying to the Ph.D. program must submit GRE scores -- no exceptions will be made. Scores need to be received directly from ETS.  Our GRE code is 2508.


TOEFL scores
All applicants for whom English is not their native language must also provide TOEFL or IELTS test score results. An acceptable TOEFL score is 85 or above on the internet-based test. When taking the exam, include STM’s institutional code – 3971 – so that your scores may be sent directly to the school. 

Read more about special instructions for international applicants here.

To request a TOEFL waiver, you must email stmadm@bc.edu.

Transcripts

One copy of each transcript is required from all colleges, universities, seminaries, or theological schools that you have attended. Each transcript should contain a list of all coursework taken, grades/marks received, and, if applicable, degree granted and date of degree confirmation. If your college or university will send official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to stmadm@bc.edu.  Otherwise, transcripts must be mailed and be contained in a sealed, signed envelope. If the official transcript is not English, a translation should be provided with the official document. Please alert us if your transcript will be arriving with a different name than the one you are using on your application (e.g. your maiden name).

Mailing Addresses
For applicants using the U.S. Postal Service:
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

For applicants using FedEx or UPS, please use this address:
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
9 Lake Street
Brighton, MA 02135-3841

Recommendations

Ph.D. applicants are required to submit three recommendations using the online application system. 

Each recommender should be familiar with the applicant’s academic competence. For applicants who have been out of school for a significant amount of time, the recommenders should be familiar with the applicant's professional competence. Applicants to our certificate programs are required to submit one letter of recommendation. Please be sure that your recommenders are aware of the application deadlines and online process, and choose them carefully to ensure that they can write on your behalf in a timely manner.

Writing Sample

The writing sample must be uploaded as part of the application. The sample should be an academic paper of around 25 pages.  

Résumé

The resume must be uploaded as part of the application.  It is helpful if you highlight relevant teaching, research, ministry, service, and leadership positions you have held.

Personal Statement

The personal statement must be uploaded as part of the application.  The personal statement should be three pages in length, double-spaced.

Your statement should address the following:

  • The academic, professional, and personal development that has motivated you to apply to the STM. Include a sketch of your educational background and interests, any experience you have in ministry and/or religious education, and any other relevant professional and volunteer experience
  • Your understanding of theological education and/or ministry in the context of the Church’s mission
  • How you plan to apply your theological education
  • Given your experience, how you assess your principal strengths for theological education and/or ministry as well as your areas of needed development
  • Information outlining your specific area and field of academic interest, a proposed topic(s) for your research and dissertation, how your previous academic, professional, and/or pastoral experience has prepared you for studies within that particular field, and the STM faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work
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