Certificates & Nondegree
Certificates & Nondegree
Certificate in Theology and Ministry
Explore a specific area of ministry or an expansive range of theological and pastoral areas through this flexible 18-credit certificate. Complete the program through a combination of academic year, summer, or online offerings.
This six-course certificate includes spiritual enrichment opportunities for those looking to further their academic or personal development. If you decide to continue into an M.A. degree program after you complete this program, you can use the courses toward the degree. You work with a faculty advisor to choose courses that fit your goal—either focusing on a specific theological area or gaining broad exposure to what STM offers. Certificate students are eligible for STM’s tuition scholarships.
Certificate in Hispanic Ministry
Are you already enriching Hispanic communities—or interested in doing so in the future? This program is perfect for students and professionals, with graduate degrees and without, who wish to focus their service on Hispanic ministry.
In addition to ongoing professional development, the program provides a nurturing environment for spiritual enrichment and renewal. Coursework is chosen in consultation with your academic advisor.
A limited number of applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree may be admitted to the program under certain conditions.
Program requirements:
A current commitment to ministry
18 credit hours of academic work, including three courses designated as core requirements
Sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language
Certificate in Religious Education
Intended for educators in Catholic high schools and catechists in parishes who want to concentrate their knowledge, this certificate program is designed to adapt to student’s needs. Benefit from STM’s tradition of expertise in religious education and four dedicated faculty experts.
This program is ideal for veteran religious educators who want to gain specialized knowledge and for new teachers who are looking to gain an introduction to the area of religious education.
There are opportunities to combine coursework and take advantage of the resources at the Lynch School of Education—the top-ranked school of Catholic education in the country—and the Roche Center for Catholic Education.
During the summer, courses are specifically offered for you to hone your teaching skills and address contemporary issues like theology in the digital age and diversity in the classroom.
Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation
Take the next step in your ministerial career and strengthen your ability to transform the spiritual lives of individuals and Christian faith communities. Three themes—prayer and discernment, the art of spiritual direction, and working within faith communities—highlight the program.
This advanced certificate is offered only in the summers and is completed over three summers. The program includes discussions with faculty, who are established professionals, and hands-on, small-group work. Prerequisites include a master’s degree in theology and full-time experience in ministry.
Program highlights:
An introduction to the fundamentals of spiritual direction practice
Opportunities to fine-tune your retreat skills
Convenient summer study—two weeks for three consecutive summers
Vibrant daily liturgy
Affordable on-campus housing
Certificate in Christian Spirituality
This certificate enables persons who are personally or professionally interested in the study of Christian spirituality to delve into historical and contemporary Christian spiritual traditions, themes, and practices with an eye toward effective spiritual leadership today. Teachers, pastors, ministers, and those drawn to spiritual formation work will benefit from this focused study of Christian Spirituality.
Ideal applicants include: Persons with an earned Master’s degree in an area other than theology who wish to study Christian Spirituality broadly, or those interested in the study of Spirituality for their own enrichment or ministerial enhancement who have a strong Bachelor’s degree. Business executives, educators, alums, pastors, ministers.
Certificate in Ignatian Spirituality
This six-course certificate prepares persons to assume leadership in specifically Ignatian spiritual formation. It makes possible careful study of a highly influential Christian spiritual tradition, giving sustained attention to Ignatian and Jesuit spiritual themes and practices, pedagogy and leadership.
Ideal applicants include: Persons with an earned Master’s degree in an area other than theology who wish to study Ignatian Spirituality in particular, or those interested in the study of Ignatian Spirituality for their own enrichment or ministerial enhancement who have a strong Bachelor’s degree. Business executives, educators, alums, pastors, ministers.
Certificate in Spiritual and Pastoral Care
This Certificate provides nurses, counselors, social workers, and parish pastoral care givers with an opportunity to explore the intersection of Spirituality Studies and Pastoral Care in ways that deepen their ministerial and faith based service. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction practicum is a required component of this Certificate.
Please note: The six-credit Introduction to Spiritual Direction Practicum is an option within the Christian Spirituality Certificate and the Certificate in Ignatian and Jesuit Studies. It is a required element in the Certificate in Spiritual and Pastoral Care. For those with spiritual direction training already who have complete the 19th Annotated Exercises, the summer one-week intensive training program in the 19th annotation is also an option.
Ideal applicants include: nurses, counselors, social workers, and parish pastoral care givers
Nondegree Coursework
Considering a career change, graduate program, or a return to campus? Or want to further your educational and professional development? Explore a path before committing fully or hone your skills through our nondegree coursework, available fall, spring, and summer.
Our nondegree option allows you to earn academic credit without enrolling in a degree program.
Program highlights:
- Regular STM tuition rates apply.
- Up to four courses (12 credit hours) may be taken as a nondegree student.
- For nondegree students who later enroll in a degree program, the credits earned can be counted toward your degree.
- Nondegree students may cross-register at other BTI schools, as long as they take one course at STM.
- Nondegree students are also allowed to take courses for audit for one-half of the full credit cost. Please note: Some courses may not allow audits.
- For ministers working full-time in the New England area, STM offers a special Minister-in-the-Vicinity (MIV) audit rate. Use this form to apply for the MIV rate.
Application Information
PrintDeadlines
- Please note:
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Application Form
The application to STM must be completed online.
Additional requirements for international applicants
Additional requirements for religious applicants
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.
Personal Statement
For certificate applicants:
The personal statement must be uploaded as part of the application. The personal statement should be two to 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 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
For nondegree applicants:
The personal statement must be uploaded as part of the application. The personal statement should be one page in length, double-spaced.
Your statement should address the following:
- The academic, professional, and personal development that has motivated you to apply to 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
- Please indicate the course or courses you are hoping to take as a nondegree student
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
For certificate applicants:
Certificate applicants are required to submit one recommendation using the online application system.
Your 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. 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.
For nondegree applicants:
A letter of recommendation is not required.
Résumé
The resume must be uploaded as part of the application. It is helpful if you highlight relevant ministry, service, and leadership positions you have held.