school of theology and ministry

1 About the School

2 Boston College

4 Boston and the Boston Theological Institute

6 Academic Programs

12 Our Faculty

14 Formation for Leadership

16 Careers & Alumni

18 Admissions & Funding Your Education

20 At a Glance

cover: Detail of the stained glass window in the loft of the chapel at 9 Lake Street, School of Theology and Ministry. Photograph by Gary Wayne Gilbert

contents

1about the school

Catholic theological institution in the Jesuit tradition, the Boston College School of Theology and

Ministry provides a rigorous academic and ministerial education to prepare lay and religious students for leadership in the Catholic Church.

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boston college

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chelsea myers, m.div. ’15

“There are so many ministerial opportunities available in the Boston College community and beyond. The PULSE program reinforced my love for service learning. The program is about applying philosophy and theology to the outside world, and it was an incred-ible experience to mentor students from a wide range of disciplines as they helped their peers integrate the process of learning, serving, and refl ecting into their lives. STM provides every opportunity I can imagine; it’s just a real gift.”

boston college

The School of Theology and Ministry (STM) is a professional school of Boston College—a vibrant Jesuit,

Catholic university with 14,400 students and a national reputation for excellence. As a student at the STM, you will enjoy the best of two worlds: the intimate community of the School itself, along with a wide array of resources and opportunities off ered by a major university.

a strong heritage of jesuit education

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Boston College off ers an education that integrates intellectual, personal, ethical, and religious formation and engages the whole person.

campus & academic life

From football games to art exhibitions to faith-sharing groups, Boston College is a place to get involved, stretch your mind, and have fun. You may also take courses at the University’s other professional schools.

ministerial opportunities

As a graduate student, you can gain practical experience ministering to Boston College undergraduates through Campus Ministry and the Center for Student Formation, which off ers programs that help students explore the connections between their talents, their dreams, and the world’s most pressing needs.

Learn more: www.bc.edu

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boston

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Boston is a great place to live and learn. Home to 43 colleges and universities, a wealth of world-class

cultural institutions, and a wide array of professional sports teams, the city buzzes with energy, knowledge, and new ideas. And with the Charles River and Atlantic Ocean, Boston off ers endless recreational possibilities.

What’s more, the city has an unlimited variety of opportunities to get involved with direct ministry. At local parishes, prisons, nonprofi ts, and beyond, you will enhance your spiritual development and ministry skills as you prepare to serve the Church and the world.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmboston

boston theological institute

The School of Theology and Ministry is a member of the Boston Theological Institute (BTI), one of the oldest and largest theological consortia in the United States. The BTI comprises eight Boston-area theological schools and semi-naries in addition to Boston College. As a student at the STM, you will have full access to a wide array of resources at all BTI member institutions.

For instance, you might take Hindu Ethics at Harvard Divinity School, or a Byzantine music course at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary. You might attend a lecture se-ries at Andover Newton Theological School or participate in a service mission through Episcopal Divinity School. Along the way, you’ll expand your options and deepen your faith.

Learn more: www.bostontheological.org

boston

susan reynolds, m.t.s. ’13, ph.d. ’17

“During my fi rst year at Boston College I lived in a parish house in Roxbury, helping to provide hospitality at a parish that didn’t have a resident priest. The door was open during the day, and there was always something going on, whether it was Mass in the chapel or people cooking and laughing in the kitchen. Living in this diverse, multilingual community reinforced the overarching themes of an STM education—meeting people where they are, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and being there for others. And it helped me understand how theology intersects with the lives of real human beings.”

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The Boston College School of Theology and Ministry off ers more than 15 academic programs,

ranging from certifi cate programs to master’s programs to doctoral degrees. Each program combines academic rigor with a grounding in life experience.

master of divinity m.div.

The School’s most comprehensive program, the three-year M.Div. off ers a detailed course of theological, pastoral, and spiritual formation to prepare students for ordained ministry, professional lay ecclesial ministry, or doctoral studies. M.Div. students at the STM have a demonstrated passion for ministry and service to the world, and often go on to careers in parish ministry, campus ministry, chaplaincy, teaching, and nonprofi t work.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmmdiv

master of arts in theology and ministry m.a.

Merging theological study with the pastoral arts, the Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry prepares students for ecclesial ministry in parish, campus, or health care set-tings, or to intentionally put their faith to work in contexts of social service. Students have the option of pursuing a Hispanic Ministry concentration or combining the M.A. with a degree from Boston College’s other professional schools through the School’s dual degree programs. An optional concentration in Religious Education prepares students to be eff ective practitioners of faith education in schools and across communities and cultures.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmmatm

academic programs

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academic programs

peter folan, s.j., m.div. ’13, s.t.l. ’13

“The M.Div. program is a great option for students who want to study theology and learn how to put it into practice. No matter what we’re studying, we always come back to the big ‘So what?’ question: How do you put this into action? What does this mean when you’re preaching at a funeral or talking to someone who’s suffering?

The School of Theology and Ministry has a peerless faculty, too. My advisor, Richard Lennan, is easily one of the best teachers I’ve had at any level of my education; he’s a great scholar, and I can talk to him about anything—whether it’s what I want to study or my calling to be a priest.”

hosffman ospino

Assistant Professor of Hispanic Ministry

and Religious Education

“In a complex, globalized world like ours in the twenty-fi rst century, intellectual perspectives that bring faith and life into fruitful conversation are more urgent than ever. Our interdisciplinary degrees, our partnership with various schools of theol-ogy in Boston through the BTI, and our increasingly diverse student population make the STM an ideal community to shape the minds and the hearts of those called to be hope for the Church and society today.”

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master of theological studies m.t.s.

The two-year M.T.S. program introduces students to the various disciplines of theology and gives them the option to specialize in an area of particular interest. With a fl ex-ible curriculum and a special emphasis on scholarship, the M.T.S. program is appropriate for students preparing for doctoral studies in theology, as well as those inter-ested in pursuing work in social justice, educational, and community-based organizations.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmmts

ecclesiastical degrees s.t.b., s.t.l., s.t.d.

The ecclesiastical degrees—Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctorate of Sacred Theology—are part of a three-degree cycle off ered only by an ecclesiastical faculty and granted in the name of the Holy See. The degrees provide training in advanced theological areas, preparing students to teach in a seminary or for religious and lay leadership positions in the Catholic Church.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmecclesiastical

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academic programs

matthew glassman, m.t.s. ’12

“At the School of Theology and Ministry I had the privilege of working with world-class scholars and leaders. The coursework for my M.T.S. was rigorous, challenging—and great preparation for doctoral work. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m in a doctoral program at Yale University. The academic rigor of my STM education, combined with the opportunity to study ancient languages through the Boston Theological Institute, prepared me well for the challenges I’m fi nding at Yale.”

jean luc enyegue, s.j., s.t.l. ’13

“I come from Cameroon, and I studied in Congo and Madrid before coming to Boston to complete my theological studies. The School of Theology and Ministry is one of the best Catholic theology centers in the world, and I’m grateful to have so many academic opportunities here.

After I fi nish my S.T.L., my Provincial’s wish is for me to earn a doctorate in history and serve in the Historical Institute of the Society of Jesus in Nairobi. My education at Boston College has helped me to see the Church from a broader point of view—and to prepare to be a Catholic priest in a changing world.”

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doctor of philosophy in theology and education ph.d.

The doctoral program educates scholars in the interdis-ciplinary fi eld of religious education. Participants take courses in theology, education, and religious education; faculty members from each of these areas serve on both the comprehensive examination committee and the disserta-tion committee. The program is off ered in conjunction with the Boston College Theology Department and the Lynch School of Education, and the degree is awarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmphd

summer programs

The Summer Institute brings together the STM faculty with leading U.S. and international theologians to provide courses on a variety of theological and ministerial topics. Lay and religious men and women come from all over the world to take individual classes, pursue a Post-Master’s Certifi cate in Spiritual Formation, or complete an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry (over a series of Summer Institutes), as well as to participate in on- and off -campus activities.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmsummer

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, designed for students of all ages and career backgrounds, is completed entirely through the Summer Institute over the course of fi ve summers. Graduates of the program go on to careers in parish ministry and administration, campus ministry, religious education, spiritual direction, faith-based social service, and hospital chaplaincy, among others. Students have the option of pursuing a concentration in Hispanic Ministry or Religious Education or combining the M.A. with a degree from Boston College’s other professional schools through the School’s dual degree programs.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmmapm

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academic programs

katherine greiner, ph.d. ’15

“The professors in my doctoral program trust me as a scholar and encourage me to build my coursework and papers around the issues and questions that are important to me. For example, I’m interested in questions about mission and identity at Catholic colleges and universities, so one of my professors encouraged me to write a paper exploring the history of American Catholic colleges founded by women religious. Although my fi nal paper might not have matched what my classmates did, it provided a great foundation for future projects.”

other degree programs

Master of Theology (Th.M.)Certifi cate of Advanced Educational Spe-cialization, Religious Education (C.A.E.S.)M.A./M.S.W.M.A./M.B.A.M.A./M.A. CounselingM.A./M.S. Nursing

The School also off ers certifi cate programs, including the Post-Master’s Certifi cate in Spiritual Formation, Pastoral Ministry Certifi cate, and His-panic Ministry Certifi cate; the Super-vised Practicum in Spiritual Direction; lectures and events through Continu-ing Education; and online learning through C21 Online.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmacademics

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Pictured: (left to right, front to back) O. Ernesto Valiente; Theresa A. O’Keefe; Francine Cardman; Melissa Kelley; Catherine M. Mooney; Nancy Pineda-Madrid; Christopher R. Matthews; Christopher Frechette, S.J.; Mark Massa, S.J.; Hosffman Ospino; James J. Conn, S.J.; Thomas A. Kane, C.S.P.; Richard Lennan; Colleen M. Griffi th; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J.; Thomas H. Groome; John F. Baldovin, S.J.; John R. Sachs, S.J.; Richard J. Clifford, S.J.; Thomas D. Stegman, S.J.; Andrea Vicini, S.J.Not pictured: Khaled E. Anatolios; James T. Bretzke, S.J.; Dominic F. Doyle; Margaret Eletta Guider, O.S.F.; Philip Browning Helsel; Mary Jo Iozzio; Jane E. Regan; and Michael Simone, S.J.

our faculty

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our faculty

With 27 full-time faculty members, the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry boasts one

of the country’s largest faculties at a Catholic theological school. As a student, you will also have access to the 32 full-time faculty members of Boston College’s theology department. Combined, the two comprise the largest—and one of the most respected—theology faculty in North America.

STM faculty members are nationally recog-nized for their leadership and scholarship in service to the Church. Beyond their scholarly work, they are known for their passionate commitment to the spiritual and pastoral formation of their students.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmfaculty

Mark Massa, S.J., dean and professor of Church his-tory, teaches Catholics and American Culture and conducts research that focuses on the American Catholic experience from the end of World War II to the present. His latest book, The American Catholic Revolution: How the ’60s Changed the Church Forever (Oxford, 2010), examines the impact of Vatican II on Catholic culture in the United States. A public intel-lectual as well as a theologian and historian, Fr. Massa was featured in the PBS series God in America.

mark massa, s.j.

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T he School of Theology and Ministry has a deep commitment to the academic, pastoral, spiritual, and

human formation of all students, whether religious or lay. Discernment workshops, social justice outreach programs, individual advising, retreats, and courses provide opportunities for students to refl ect on their experiences and prepare for eff ective leadership.

Students at the STM learn and grow in a diverse community of Jesuits, other vowed religious, lay men and women, and international students. In class, liturgical life, ministerial activities, and service, STM students learn to collaborate and prepare to serve in a changing and increasingly diverse Church.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmformation

formation for leadership

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formation for leadership

melissa kelley

Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling and Contextual Education

“Everything we do at the School of Theology and Ministry strives toward forming people for service to the Church. We’re offering students more than a program of study; we’re offering them opportunities to grow and develop in all aspects of what it means to be human. Clearly, academic formation is important, but we’re also interested in pastoral formation, human formation, and spiritual formation. Beyond the classroom, we address those pieces explicitly through advising and mentoring, internship opportunities, social justice activities, and our active liturgical community.”

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careers & alumni

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dan cosacchi, m.t.s. ’10

“Going to the STM was one of the best decisions I could have made to prepare for a career with one foot in the Church, and one in the academy. Not only was I able to form lifelong friendships with fellow students and professors, I formed lifelong relationships with Christian thinkers throughout history. I am currently a doctoral student at Loyola University, Chicago. And I am wholly confi dent that there would have been no more fi tting place to whet my theological appetite than the STM. I will always be grateful for my experience there.”

careers & alumni

Today, graduates of the STM are studying in some of the world’s most selective doctoral programs

and serving in a variety of ministries— including campus ministry, teaching, par-ish ministry, liturgical planning, religious education, youth ministry, pastoral minis-tries, family therapy, hospital/hospice chaplaincy, spiritual direction, health care, law, and social work.

We will guide and support you as you seek a vocational path that suits your interests and talents. Most importantly, as you prepare to graduate, we will work one-on-one with you, off ering personalized placement assistance.

Learn more: www.bc.edu/stmalumni

karla alvarado, m.a./m.a. ’14

“Boston College’s dual degree program in pastoral ministry and counseling really spoke to the experiences I had as a volunteer in Ecuador. I learned how to sit with people and hear their stories; now I’m learning the therapeutic skills I need to offer substantive help, both spiritually and emotionally. I love that the program is so versatile, too. With this degree I can go into campus ministry, I can teach theology, or I can go into social services with an extra set of skills.”

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The School of Theology and Ministry seeks applicants who demonstrate a high level of intel-

lectual, social, and religious maturity.

When evaluating applications, the Admis-sions Committee takes into account grade point averages, GRE scores (if applicable), letters of recommendation, work and/or volunteer experience, interviews (if appli-cable), and personal statements.

Specifi c admission application information and requirements are online at www.bc.edu/stmprocess.

funding your education

The School of Theology and Ministry off ers generous fund-ing through several types of fi nancial assistance:

• tuition scholarships: Based on academic achievement, potential for ministerial success, demonstrated leader-ship, available funding, and fi nancial need, these schol-arships provide tuition remission. They are generally renewable, assuming no signifi cant changes in need and academic standing. Decisions regarding tuition scholar-ships are made at the time of admission.

• non-service stipends: A limited number of stipends that help cover the cost of living expenses for one aca-demic year are awarded to students whose admission applications demonstrate superior academic, ministerial, and leadership abilities. They are generally renewable, assuming no signifi cant changes in academic standing. Decisions regarding non-service stipends are made at the time of admission.

• graduate assistantships: The School of Theology and Ministry off ers a number of assistantships that provide 100 percent tuition remission and a generous stipend in

return for work at the School. Many other campus offi ces and departments also off er assistantships and fellow-ships to STM students with compensation that typically includes both tuition remission and a stipend.

• student employment: Various on- and off -campus em-ployment opportunities, such as research and teaching assistants, general offi ce work, and work within parishes, are available.

• federal loans: In addition to scholarship and grant funding, the University participates in the Federal Di-rect Loan Program. Students can borrow up to the total cost of attendance, minus any funding they are receiv-ing from the STM through the Staff ord Loan and PLUS Loan Programs.

Specifi c costs and the application process for scholarships, assistantships, and federal loan programs are online at www.bc.edu/stmfunding.

admissions & funding your education

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admissions & funding your education 1 9

at a glance

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accreditationThe Boston College School of Theology and Ministry is a fully accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. For more information, go to www.ats.edu.

Accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved: M.Div., M.A. in Theology and Ministry, M.T.S., Th.M.

The Commission contact information is: The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

10 Summit Park DrivePittsburgh, PA 15275USATelephone: 412–788–6505Fax: 412–788–6510Website: www.ats.edu

non-discriminationFounded by the Society of Jesus in 1863, Boston College is dedicated to intellectual excellence and to its Jesuit, Catholic heritage. Boston College recognizes the essential contribution a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff makes to the advancement of its goals and ideals in an atmosphere of respect for one another and for the University’s mission and heritage. Accordingly, Boston College commits itself to maintaining a welcoming environment for all people and extends its welcome in particular to those who may be vulnerable to discrimination, on the basis of their race, ethnic or national origin, religion, color, age, gender, marital or parental status, veteran status, disabilities, or sexual orientation.

Boston College rejects and condemns all forms of

harassment, wrongful discrimination, and disrespect. It has developed procedures to respond to incidents of harassment whatever the basis or circumstance. Moreover it is the policy of Boston College, while reserving its lawful rights where appropriate to take actions designed to promote the Jesuit, Catholic principles that sustain its mission and heritage, to comply with all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and in its educational programs on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital or parental status, veteran status, or disability, and to comply with state law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation.

To this end, Boston College has designated its Executive Director for Institutional Diversity to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities to prevent discrimination in accordance with state and federal laws. Any applicant for admission or employment, and all students, faculty members, and employees, are welcome to raise any questions regarding this policy with the Office for Institutional Diversity. In addition, any person who believes that an act of unlawful discrimination has occurred at Boston College may raise this issue with the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education.

higher education amendments of 1998In compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Boston College publishes and makes available to any prospective student upon request a copy of Boston College’s annual security report, Campus Safety and Security Program. This report contains statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus and on public property immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also incorporates institutional policies concerning campus security, including Reporting of

Crimes and Other Emergencies, Safety Notification Procedure, Campus Law Enforcement, and Campus Sexual Assault Program; information regarding the available educational programs that address campus security procedures and practices, and crime prevention; information regarding drug and alcohol policies; and other matters. A report of athletic program participation rates and financial support data is available. This report details participation rates, financial support, and other information on men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic programs. To request a copy of either of the above reports, please call the Office of the Financial Vice President and Treasurer at (617) 552–4856, or send your request in writing to: Boston College, Office of the Financial Vice President and Treasurer, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.

This publication is not intended to be, and should not be relied upon, as a statement of the University’s contractual undertakings. Boston College reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule, whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in the course content, the rescheduling of classes and other academic activities, and requiring or affording alternatives for scheduled classes and other academic activities, in any such cases giving notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

history & affiliations

A professional school of Boston College, the STM was founded in June 2008 with the reaffi liation of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology and the Boston College Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry, along with C21 Online. The School is a member of the Boston Theological Institute.

student body

The School enrolls approximately 270 full-time and 90 part-time students, representing a wide variety of back-grounds and geographic locations. Among students enter-ing the School in 2013, 65 percent are lay, with 35 percent representing a religious order or diocesan priests. The 2013 incoming class includes representatives of 31 nations and every continent. Students range in age from 21 to 75.

faculty

Classes are taught by 27 full-time faculty members at the STM, in conjunction with 32 members of the Boston College theology department faculty. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:12.

programs of study

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry (M.A.)Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (M.A.) (summer only)Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Education (Ph.D.)Master of Theology (Th.M.)Certifi cate of Advanced Educational Specialization, Religious Education (C.A.E.S)Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.)Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)Doctorate of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)M.A./M.S.W.M.A./M.B.A.M.A./M.A. CounselingM.A./M.S. NursingPost-Master’s Certifi cate in Spiritual FormationPastoral Ministry Certifi cateHispanic Ministry Certifi cateSupervised Practicum in Spiritual DirectionSummer Institute

The Boston College School of Theology and Ministry is an international theological center that prepares leaders for service to the Church in the Jesuit tradition.

140 commonwealth avenuechestnut hill, ma 02467–3800

617–552–6506

www.bc.edu/stm

school of theology and ministry