Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Rigorous and intensive, the three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a comprehensive professional degree program that combines a broad study of theology with supervised ministry and spiritual formation. It is the program most suited for students preparing for the ordained priesthood or for full-time lay ecclesial ministry in the Church. Women and men, lay and religious, work and study collaboratively in the M.Div. program, preparing for leadership roles in ministry today.
Supervised Ministry
The M.Div. program includes a practicum—field experience in which you observe and explore ministerial work in different contexts, deepen practical skills, and examine how your experience relates to theological study. Veteran supervisors oversee your work, and weekly meetings provide a forum for STM students to reflect on and synthesize ministry experiences within a classroom setting. Practicum placements can be done during the academic year in Boston, or over the summer throughout the country.
Spiritual and Community Life
Deepening your faith through study, praxis, and prayer is an essential part of the STM experience. Opportunities for spiritual formation are abundant within our academic programs and ministerial practice. You can enrich your faith life through spiritual direction, retreats, workshops, and immersion experiences. The school provides financial assistance for many of these programs.
At a Glance
How long will it take?
This 82-credit program is typically completed in three years of full-time study.
Supervised Ministry
Supervised ministry in a setting you choose with the help of a faculty advisor. | Supervised Ministry
Solid Foundation
A thorough grounding in Scripture, Church history, historical–systematic–practical
theology, moral theology, and pastoral studies.
Common Career Paths
Parish ministry
College or high school campus ministry
High school teaching
Doctoral work
Hospital chaplaincy
Prison ministry
Social justice agencies
Religious and other nonprofit organizations
Application Requirements
PrintPREREQUISITES
- One year of full-time, post-collegiate ecclesial ministry or equivalent
- At least two undergraduate courses in philosophy
Please Note:
We are still accepting applications for Fall 2018.
Deadlines
- Fall 2018
- February 1, 2018
- Spring 2019
- December 1, 2018
Application Form
The application to STM must be completed online.
Make sure you click the "Submit" button on the last page of the application. You will receive an email confirming that your application has been submitted. Within 48 hours of submitting your application, you should receive an email with your Boston College credentials (your Eagle ID and BC username) so that you can login to the BC applicant system and check the status of your full application. If you have been a BC student before, your credentials will be the same and you may not receive a credentials email. If you have not been a BC student before, and do not receive your credentials email, please contact the admissions office for help: stmadm@bc.edu or 617-552-6506.
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, 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
GRE scores are required for M.Div. applicants. They should be sent directly from ETS. Our GRE code is 2508.
The GRE is waived for applicants who have completed a previous graduate degree.
TOEFL scores
All applicants for whom English is not their native language must also provide TOEFL 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. Learn more about the TOEFL and about qualifications for a TOEFL waiver.
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
Processing Center
P.O. Box 67406
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
M.Div. 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, recommenders should be familiar with the applicant's professional competence. One recommender should be familiar with the applicant's ministerial potential and experience. 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.
Interview
The admissions office may contact applicants to set up an interview by Skype.
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.
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 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