Certificates & Nondegree

Certificates & Nondegree

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 to a master's or hone your skills through our certificate programs. Our courses are also able to be taken for credit even if you're not enrolled in a degree program. You can explore our certificate and non-degree options below. 

18-Credit Certificates

Advanced Certificate

Non-Degree Coursework

Our non-degree option allows you to earn academic credit without enrolling in a degree program.

Program Highlights:

  • Regular STM tuition rates apply.
  • Available each academic term.
  • Up to four courses (12 credit hours) may be taken as a non-degree student.
  • For non-degree students who later enroll in a degree program, the credits earned can be counted toward your degree.
  • Non-degree students may cross-register at other BTI schools, as long as they take one course at STM.
  • Non-degree 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.

View STM Courses

Application Information

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Application Form

The application to STM must be completed online. Certificate and non-degree applications are accepted on a rolling basis for each entrance term.

Application Form

Please note you can submit your application form once it is completed; you do not need to wait for supplemental materials to arrive.

Additional Requirements:

International applicants

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 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 one to two 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. How has your education and/or experience impacted your discernment?
  • Your understanding of theological education and/or ministry in the context of the Church's mission, as well as the role and responsibilities of a minister today.
  • How you plan to apply your theological education.
  • Given your experience, how you assess your principal strengths for theological education and ministry as well as your areas of needed development.


For non-degree applicants:

On the application form, you will be asked to share your reasons for enrolling in the course(s) selected and what prepares you for graduate theological study at the School of Theology and Ministry. Please also share any other relevant information to your registration.

Transcripts

We require transcripts 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). Please note that a transcript is only considered official if received directly from the institution issuing it.

Please note that your application may be reviewed with unofficial copies of your transcripts. If you send unofficial copies, know that if admitted, you must sent official copies before you begin coursework. If you have questions, please reach out to us.

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:
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. 

The 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 recommender should be familiar with the applicant's professional competence. Please be sure that your recommender is 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.

 

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