Frequently-asked
questions
Is Boston University
School of Theology associated with a particular denomination?
Can I take classes on-line or by distance
learning?
Does Boston University School of Theology
offer night, weekend, or summer classes?
What are the application deadlines?
How can I apply?
Do I need to take the GRE?
Do I have to take the TOEFL? What
score must I have?
What degree programs does Boston University
School of Theology offer?
I want to take classes, but not for a
degree. Can I do this?
Can I audit classes?
How much does it cost to attend Boston
University School of Theology for one year?
What forms of financial aid are available?
I am an international student.
What financial documentation must I provide?
Can I live on campus? What is the
availability and cost of housing?
Denominational
Relations
The School of Theology is affiliated with the United
Methodist Church, and the student body is approximately 40%
United Methodist. The rest of the student body is very
diverse in its representation of many faith traditions.
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On-line
and distance learning
No on-line or distance-learning programs are offered.
Distance Education courses taken elsewhere may not be used
for degree requirements unless pre-approved by the Academic
Programs and Polices Committee.
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Evening,
weekend, and summer classes
Classes are not offered at night or on weekends.
Summer classes are limited, and are offered through Boston
University’s Metropolitan College: www.bu.edu/summer
(617) 353-6000; course offerings are finalized in March.
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Application
Deadlines
The School of Theology has a rolling admissions policy
for master’s level degrees. However, to be considered
for a Scholarship for Merit all application files (Masters
and Doctoral) must be complete by February 1; these awards
are made in March for the fall semester. For doctoral applicants,
all application materials must be in the Admissions Office
by January 15 for the fall semester and by October 1 for the
January semester.
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Application
Procedures
You may request our application, degree program,
and preliminary financial aid information by calling (617)
353-3036, by e-mailing sthadmis@bu.edu,
or by writing to The Admissions Office, Boston University
School of Theology, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
You also may apply on-line through the link at our website,
www.bu.edu/sth.
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Graduate Record
Exam (GRE)/MIller Analogies Test (MAT)
Boston University requires that all graduate students
have a GRE or MAT score on file. This score must have
been received within the last five years. The School
of Theology must have an original copy of the test results
from the testing agency; photocopies and faxes are not sufficient.
The Boston University School of Theology institution code
for the GRE is R3070.
Codes for the MAT are given at the time of examination.
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Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Boston University requires the TOEFL of all applicants
for whom English is their second language, regardless of previous
degrees completed in the United States. The minimum
score is 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based. Doctoral
candidates who are admitted must have significantly higher
scores. The Boston University institution code for the
TOEFL is 3233; the department
code is 99. In addition,
doctoral candidates must submit results of the Test of Written
English (TWE). Also, all students for whom English is their
second language are required to take an English placement
exam during Orientation; depending on the exam score, they
may be required to take an English class in addition to other
course work. Beginning in the the fall semester 2003,
the minimum TOEFL score will be 570.
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Degree
Program Offerings
Boston University School of Theology offers the Master
of Divinity (M.Div.), the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.),
and the Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.) as first-level degree
programs, and the Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), the
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), and the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.)
as second-level degree programs.
Together with the School of Social Work, the School of Theology
offers the dual-degree programs of Master of Divinity/Master
of Social Work (M.Div./M.S.W.), Master of Theological Studies/Master
of Social Work (M.T.S./M.S.W.), and Doctor of Ministry/Master
of Social Work (D.Min./M.S.W.) Applicants for these
dual-degree programs are encouraged to apply initially to
the School of Theology. Normally the student registers
in an equal number of semesters in each School. Students
pay the tuition of the School in which they are registered
that semester.
Please note: The Master
of Arts (M.A.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree
programs are offered through the Division
of Religious and Theological Studies in the Boston University
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Pleased be advised: Previous
or undergraduate course work in religious or theological studies
is not a pre-requisite for admission to the School of Theology.
Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience
… one of the great strengths of the School.
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Special
Student Status
Persons may apply for Special Student (non-degree)
status in the School of Theology. Application credentials
must include an application form, original transcripts from
all previous institutions attended, the application fee, and
a statement indicating the courses one wants to take.
The tuition cost for Special Students for the 2002-2003 academic
year is $355.00 per credit hour. No financial assistance
is available.
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Auditing
Persons who wish to “audit” (to sit in on classes
without undertaking course work and without receiving academic
credit) must apply as a Special Student and pay full credit-hour
tuition ($340.00 per credit hour). No financial assistance
is available.
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Tuition
and Fees
The School of Theology tuition for the 2002-2003
academic year is $11,360.00 for all students (except D.Min.
students) at full-time status (12-18 credit hours).
(This is a significant reduction from the Boston University
2002-2003 tuition of $27,042.00, and is made possible by contributions
from the United Methodist Church.) Tuition for part-time
status (11 credit hours or less) is $355.00 per credit hour.
Students registered for at least 8 credit hours may apply
for financial aid.
Doctor of Ministry students receive a reduced tuition rate
of $330.00 per credit hour; no other financial assistance
is available.
Other fees for full-time students include a Community Service/Program
fee of $28 for the year, or $14 for spring semester; Health
fee of $86 per year; Graduation fee of $25; and GSU fee of
$148 per year.
Medical Insurance is required of all full-time students.
The cost of Boston University’s Medical Insurance for single
students for the 2001-2002 academic year was $745.
Other expenses include housing (prices vary widely), cost
of books and supplies (estimated at $1,200 per year) and incidental
expenses (estimated at $2,900) such as laundry, transportation,
clothing, recreation, and miscellaneous expenses.
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Financial
Assistance
The School of Theology offers financial aid based on
need and scholarships based on merit. Tuition scholarships
provide up to 70% of the School of Theology tuition cost per
year, depending on degree program. Scholarship for Merit awards
for Master’s-level applicants range from full-tuition scholarships
to full tuition plus a stipend of up to $6,000.00; one must
have at least a 3.30 grade-point average in either an undergraduate
or graduate degree program to be considered. Doctoral
Fellowships for Doctoral-level candidates are highly competitive
and range from full-tuition scholarships to full tuition plus
a stipend of up to $6,000.00.
Federal aid and private scholarships are also available.
See the Financial
Information section of the School
of Theology Bulletin.
Financial aid application materials are mailed when they
become available in the spring. At that time and afterwards,
they are sent only to applicants who have been admitted to
the School. The necessary preliminary financial aid
information is found in the Financial Information section
of the School of Theology Bulletin.
Domestic applicants are encouraged to file their Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line. The School of
Theology FAFSA code is 002130. Be sure to print out
the last page of the FAFSA on-line, sign it, and send it in.
This signature page is mandatory.
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Documentation
of Financial Support for International Applicants
All international applicants must submit documentation of
financial support before an I-20 Form will be issued.
This is a United States government requirement. The
amount for academic year 2002-2003 is US$24,000.00 for the
student; an additional $4,000 is required for each dependent.
Documentation consists of an original bank statement and a
letter of sponsorship if the funds are not one’s own.
If the sponsor is a church or religious institution, only
the letter of sponsorship is required.
The letter of sponsorship must indicate financial support
for the entire degree program. However, the original
bank statement needs to show only the amount to cover the
first year of study.
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Housing
The School of Theology Office of Admissions assists in housing
arrangements for theology students. Prospective students
are encouraged to telephone or to write to the Admissions
Office for counsel or referral to the appropriate University
office.
Theology House is an on-campus residence for 20 single women
and men in the School. It is a short walk to the School
of Theology, and is also conveniently located one block from
the Kenmore Square subway stop on the MBTA Green Line.
The rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, dresser, and micro-fridge.
Common areas include a TV lounge, study area/ballroom, kitchen,
and bathrooms. Some single rooms (without bath) are
available at a higher rate. In academic year 2001-2002
the rental rate for double occupancy is $5,470.00.
The School of Theology also provides other
housing possibilities for single students:
127 Mason Terrace is a duplex home located a short subway
(“T”) ride from the School of Theology. Each furnished
apartment has four single bedrooms, common living room,
dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms. A washing machine
and dryer are also provided. 2001-2002 rent is $460.00
per person, per month, including utilities (except telephone).
21-23 Higgins Street is a duplex home located within 30
minutes’ walking distance, or a short bus ride, from the
School of Theology. It provides eight single bedrooms,
as well as common living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
2001-2002 rent is $375.00-$450.00 per person, per month.
Married students should contact the Boston University
Office of Rental Property Management, (617) 353-4101, for
studio and one-bedroom apartments. The Off-Campus
Apartments Listing Service, (617) 353-3523, or local realtors
are other resources, as are real estate listings in the
Boston Globe (www.boston.com),
or www.townonline.com.
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