Admission

All administrative rules and regulations printed in the current bulletin of the School of Theology are applicable to admission procedures. The applicant is responsible for submitting, or having submitted, all of the necessary credentials, documents, and data. All materials must be addressed to the School of Theology Admissions Office, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215. Decisions on application for admission cannot be made until all materials have been received. Applications for admission should be completed as far before the date of intended enrollment as possible. Questions can be directed to the Admissions Office, 617-353-3036 or sthadmis@bu.edu.

All applications must be submitted with a nonrefundable $70 application fee. Applicants should read the following application requirements carefully and check each degree program description in this bulletin for additional information on admission. Please see the School of Theology website for more details, or to apply online.

Deadlines

The School of Theology matriculates students into its seven degree programs twice a year, once in September (fall matriculation), and once in January (spring matriculation). The application deadlines are as follows:

For Fall Matriculation

December 15: Doctoral-level applications (DMin, PhD, and ThD) from both domestic and international applicants must be completed by December 15 for fall admission and consideration for tuition scholarships and/or doctoral fellowship awards.

February 1: Domestic Priority Admissions deadline for domestic master’s-level applicants (MDiv, MTS, MSM, and STM); domestic applicants must apply by February 1 to be considered for fall Priority Admission. Students accepted under Priority Admission are given generous tuition scholarships upon admission to the program. In addition to tuition scholarships, eligible applicants who apply by the February 1 deadline can be considered for Scholarships for Merit. (Domestic applicants to the Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, or Master of Sacred Music degree programs, who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above in their most recent degree program, are eligible to be considered for Scholarships for Merit. See the Financial Aid section of this website for more information.)

March 1: International Priority Admissions deadline for international master’s-level applicants (MDiv, MTS, MSM, and STM) to be considered for fall Priority Admission. International applicants who apply by this time and are later accepted are given a significant tuition scholarship.

May 15: Final deadline for all master’s-level applications, both domestic and international, for fall admission with the possibility of tuition scholarships. Prospective students applying after May 15, if accepted, will not receive tuition scholarships for the fall semester, though some financial aid (loans) could be available. Students without tuition scholarships in any given semester may re-apply for financial aid in subsequent semesters, but such support is not guaranteed. This is the absolute final application deadline for all international applicants for fall matriculation.

July 15: Absolute final application deadline for all domestic master’s-level applicants for fall matriculation.

For Spring Matriculation

September 15: Absolute final deadline for all master’s and doctoral-level applications for spring admission. Financial aid for spring semester admissions will be determined upon availability.

TOP OF PAGE

Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, and Master of Sacred Theology

Applicants must submit the following (see deadlines):

1. a completed Application Form with $70 application fee.
2. official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic records.
3. letters of reference from a pastor or ecclesiastical superior and three college professors. A reference letter from a work supervisor or professional peer may be submitted for one college professor’s letter. If you have been out of college for a number of years, you may substitute work supervisors, colleagues, or other appropriate persons for college professors.
4. a personal statement, clearly and concisely written. For the Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Music programs, this statement must describe (a) persons, experiences, and other influences which have inspired your move toward a Christian vocation; (b) your concept of the character, purpose, and possibilities of the Christian ministry; (c) your sense of commitment to the Christian faith and vocation (include any present uncertainties); (d) your specific interests in the proposed degree program; and (e) your understanding of personal spiritual formation and development. For the Master of Theological Studies and Master of Sacred Theology programs, this statement must describe (a) your specific purpose in seeking the degree; (b) your identification of personal and professional goals; (c) the areas in which you seek competence and the kinds of learning experiences needed to achieve such competence; and (d) your understanding of personal spiritual formation and development.
5. official results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, taken during the past five years (for non-international applicants only).
   
6. Master of Sacred Music applicants are required to audition; please see the description of the MSM program on the STH website for details.

TOP OF PAGE

Doctor of Philosophy

Applicants must submit the following (see deadlines):

1. a completed Application Form with $70 application fee.
2. official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic records.
3. letters of reference from three academic references.
4. a personal statement, clearly and concisely written, which describes (a) persons, experiences, and other influences which have inspired and readied you to move toward doctoral study in practical theology; (b) your specific interests in the proposed degree program; and (c) a request for a particular concentration within practical theology among those available (see the Degree Programs section of this site).
5. official results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, taken during the past five years; official GRE scores are required of all international applicants, as well as domestic applicants.
6. a sample of scholarly writing (not to exceed 30 pages).

Doctor of Theology

Applicants must submit the following (see deadlines):

1. a completed Application Form with $70 application fee.
2. official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic records.
3. letters of reference from a pastor or an ecclesiastical superior, two former seminary professors, and a professional peer.
4. a personal statement, clearly and concisely written, which describes (a) persons, experiences, and other influences which have inspired your move toward a Christian vocation; (b) your concept of the character, purpose, and possibilities of the Christian ministry; (c) your sense of commitment to the Christian faith and vocation (include any present uncertainties); and (d) your specific interests in the proposed degree program; (e) a request for both a major and a minor discipline (see the Degree Programs on this site), with a description of what you wish to study in each discipline and how you see the relationship between the two.
5. official results of either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, taken during the past five years; official MAT or GRE scores are required of all international applicants, as well as domestic applicants.
6. a sample of scholarly writing (not to exceed 30 pages).

Doctor of Ministry

Applicants must submit the following (see deadlines):

1. a completed Application Form with the $70 application fee.
2. official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic records.
3. letters of reference from an ecclesiastical superior, former seminary professor, professional peer, and lay person.
4. a personal statement, clearly and concisely written, which (a) describes your specific purpose in seeking the degree; (b) sets forth your concept of ministry; (c) identifies your academic, personal, and professional goals; and (d) includes an assessment of your own spiritual formation or development.
5. official results from either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, taken during the past five years; official MAT or GRE scores are required of all international applicants, as well as domestic applicants.
6. a recent sample of scholarly writing, such as a research paper. This can be either from a previous graduate degree program, if it was completed within the past five years, or on a topic relevant to ministry in the church (no more than five to ten pages in length).
7. a personal interview with the Director of Admissions or a designated faculty member; for persons who live a considerable distance away, this interview can take place through electronic means.
8. information or documentation of professional competence in addition to that listed above may be sought in determining the readiness of the applicant for participation in the degree program.
9. a proposed Plan of Study with a supporting Rationale that outlines the reasons a particular Plan will help students bring together their experiences with additional academic studies to create a fresh synthesis of theory and practice.

Special Students

Those who wish to take foundational courses in preparation for diaconal ministry and others who wish to take theology courses without applying for candidacy in a degree program must submit the following application materials:

1. a completed Application Form.
2. official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic records.
3. an explanation of the proposed study plan indicating courses desired.

International Students

Boston University School of Theology welcomes students from many countries outside the United States into its degree programs. The participation of international students enriches the educational experience of all students. International applicants should carefully review the information in this special section before submitting documentation.

Admission to Degree Programs

• All degree programs at Boston University School of Theology are open to international students.
• Applicants must match exactly the name on their School of Theology application with the name on their valid government-issued passport; this includes matching spacing between names and punctuation such as hyphens. Failure to match the names exactly will result in delayed or denied student visas. If applicants do not have a passport prior to applying, they must match their passport application name with the name they provided on their School of Theology application.
• Students must provide the application credentials required for the degree program described above. International students need not submit a Graduate Record Examination score for master’s-level programs, but must do so for doctoral-level programs. All international applicants for whom English is not a native language must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language score (TOEFL). Please see the TOEFL section below for the minimum scores necessary for admission into the School.
• Admission to the School of Theology for international students is completed in two parts—“academic admission” and then “official admission.” First, the student will be notified that he or she is “academically” admitted to the degree program, if the credentials presented merit such admission. Once a student is academically admitted she or he must confirm a desire to matriculate into the School of Theology by submitting the “Admissions Confirmation Form” and/or e-mailing the School of Theology Admissions Office with the intention to matriculate (sthadmis@bu.edu).
• International students who have confirmed their intention to matriculate with the Admissions Office can then be processed through the University’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) to secure a visa for travel to the United States. The Admissions Office must submit to the ISSO the following materials, which should be provided at this time by the international student if she or he has not already done so: 1. official documentation of significant financial support (see “Funding” section below for more information); 2. copies of passports and all previous visa documentation for the student and all family members who intend to join the student in Boston; 3. a completed University “International Student Data Form.” Once ISSO has successfully processed the international student’s visa, the appropriate forms will be sent to that student through the mail. Please let the Admissions Office know if you would like to pick up your visa documentation from the ISSO by hand. (Please note: the process of securing a visa can be lengthy; please complete the requirements and steps listed above in a timely and thorough manner to avoid delays with the process.) Once ISSO issues an international student her or his visa materials, the Admissions Office will produce and send that student a letter of “official admission,” and the admissions process will be complete.

Funding

Each applicant must provide documentation of significant financial resources in order to secure a U.S. government visa. The current level of financial support necessary is $38,000 U.S. for a single student. These methods of documentation may be personal resources or promised support from a church, denomination, grant agency, or missions organization. Documentation of this support may come in the form of a personal bank account statement, a letter from the supporting agency on agency letterhead, or funds directly deposited into the student’s Boston University account. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to develop these resources and maintain them throughout study at Boston University. If a student who is granted sponsorship loses that sponsorship during the course of her or his degree program and is unable to secure sponsorship from another source, that student will most likely have to return home due to lack of financial support. Therefore it is of utmost importance that you secure sponsorship that will last the length of your program, and that will provide support for both your tuition costs and living expenses while in Boston. Boston University is not able to provide full financial sponsorship for any of its international students. Please consult the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) website if you have additional questions about how to document sponsorship: www.bu.edu/isso.

The School of Theology makes a limited number of need-based Tuition Scholarships available to international students. Need-based scholarships provide for a reduction of the cost of tuition at a rate determined by the degree program: 70% for the MDiv degree, 55% for the MTS and MSM degrees, and 45% for the STM, PhD, and ThD degrees. To continue to receive a Tuition Scholarship, International Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as described in the Policies and Procedures section of this website. Please note that no full-tuition scholarships or full-tuition plus living expense scholarships are available to international students.

Boston University expects payment of the semester’s tuition, fees, housing, etc., prior to the beginning of each semester. International students are advised to collect all financial resources promised by their sponsors prior to enrolling if possible.

Boston University maintains an office to support and advise all international students through their visa-granting process as well as through the length of their degree program. Students should consult ISSO concerning all visa requirements, financial requirements, and Internal Revenue Service requirements. International students with questions about working legally in the U.S. should consult the ISSO prior to establishing a working relationship with an employer in order to remain in legal visa status. The services provided by ISSO are described in the Resources and Services of Boston University section of this website.

All international students for whom English is not a native language must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score taken within the last five years. The minimum TOEFL score for master’s-level degrees (MDiv, MTS, MSM) is 570 (PBT), 230 (CBT), 89 (iBT). Applicants for advanced degrees (STM, DMin, PhD, and ThD) must have considerably higher scores than the minimum. When sending your scores to Boston University School of Theology use Institution Code 3233 and Department Code 99.

CELOP provides remedial work in English language study for students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL score, or who feel that additional work in English would be helpful prior to admission to a degree program. A few applicants who show particularly outstanding academic promise, but who need additional English-language preparation in order to matriculate, may be considered for the “Bridge Program” between CELOP and the School of Theology. Under the Bridge Program arrangement, a student would be admitted to the School of Theology with the provision that she or he attend a semester of English-language study at CELOP. This semester is typically during the summer prior to fall matriculation, but could also be done during a fall or spring semester. The student would have the opportunity to re-take the TOEFL as part of the CELOP program, and should score higher. However, the assessment of the faculty of CELOP as to the student’s progress and readiness for graduate-level study will be the most important indicator of preparedness. If the student does not progress during the first Bridge semester, she or he may be required to continue at CELOP or split course time evenly between CELOP and the School of Theology in subsequent semesters. This evaluation process is monitored and mediated by the School of Theology Admissions Office. Additional services provided by CELOP are described in the Resources and Services of Boston University section of this website.

All students for whom English is not a native language, and who have been admitted to Boston University with a Student Visa (F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2), must take the English Placement Examination administered by the College of Arts & Sciences during New Student Orientation prior to the initial semester of enrollment. The purpose of this exam is to further document the student’s readiness to undertake a course of study in which the language of instruction is English. The results of this examination will determine if further study in spoken and written English is necessary, usually in the form of a first-semester, four-credit course (WR097, WR098, or WR099 in the College of Arts & Sciences). Students who score high in the English Placement Examination may be exempted from the English language requirement at the School of Theology.

English Language Requirement

See the Policies and Procedures section of this website for the competency requirement in English language for international students.

Enrollment

International students must attend a mandatory orientation workshop and process their final visa documentation with the ISSO as soon as possible after arriving in Boston. It is generally expected that all international students will study at Boston University on a full-time basis. Part-time study is optional for students during a semester in which the student is completing preparations for comprehensive examinations or thesis in a doctoral program. Students wishing to be certified full-time for visa purposes during a semester of examinations or thesis must request this status with the School’s Registration & Financial Aid Office. All full-time fees will be charged to the student during this semester of full-time certified attendance.

All international students are required to purchase the University’s Medical Insurance Plan. Students may elect to purchase medical insurance for their family through this plan for an additional cost.

There are many housing opportunities for international students on the Boston University campus and in the greater Boston area. Though each student is responsible for her or his own housing search, consultation with the Admissions Office well in advance of enrollment may assist the student in finding adequate housing.

For Fall Matriculation

December 15: Doctoral-level applications (DMin, PhD, and ThD) from both domestic and international applicants must be completed by December 15 for fall admission and consideration for tuition scholarships and/or doctoral fellowship awards.

February 1: Domestic Priority Admissions deadline for domestic master’s-level applicants (MDiv, MTS, MSM, and STM); Domestic applicants must apply by February 1 to be considered for fall Priority Admission. Students accepted under Priority Admission are given generous tuition scholarships upon admission into the program. In addition to tuition scholarships, eligible applicants who apply by the February 1 deadline can be considered for Scholarships for Merit. (Domestic applicants to the Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, or Master of Sacred Music degree programs, who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above in their most-recent degree program, are eligible to be considered for Scholarships for Merit. See the Financial Aid section of this website for more information.

March 1: International Priority Admissions deadline for international master’s-level applicants (MDiv, MTS, MSM, and STM) to be considered for fall Priority Admission. International applicants who apply by this time and are later accepted are given a significant tuition scholarship.

May 15: Final deadline for all master’s-level applications, both domestic and international, for fall admission with the possibility of tuition scholarships. Prospective students applying after May 15, if accepted, will not receive tuition scholarships for the fall semester, though some financial aid (loans) could be available. Students without tuition scholarships in any given semester may re-apply for financial aid in subsequent semesters, but such support is not guaranteed. This is the absolute final application deadline for all international applicants for fall matriculation.

July 15: Absolute final application deadline for all domestic master’s-level applicants for fall matriculation.

For Spring Matriculation

September 15: Absolute final deadline for all master’s- and doctoral-level applications for spring admission. Financial aid for spring semester admissions will be determined upon availability.

TOP OF PAGE

Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

22 October 2009
Boston University
Questions
Credits