About
Boston University originated in 1839 when a group of lay
and ministerial delegates of the Methodist Episcopal Church
began a school for the improvement of theological training.
As the founding School of Boston University, the School of
Theology now stands at the heart of the Charles River Campus,
surrounded by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate
School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Law, Mugar Memorial
Library, the George Sherman Union, and Marsh
Chapel. Friends and members of the United
Methodist Church provided the major funding for the School's
seven-story modified Gothic-style building, designed in 1948.
Within this main facility are administrative offices, the
Oxnam Room and Hartman Room, the Jefferson-Brown Room, the
Muelder Chapel, and the School
of Theology Library.
The School of Theology is a member of the Boston
Theological Institute, a consortium of nine theological
schools in the Boston area. Through this institute, those
attending any one of the member schools may participate in
the life of the other schools by registering for classes,
using the libraries, or attending special lectures or workshops
for classes.
Students are offered combined degree opportunities, a diversity
of concentrations, special lectures, and a stimulating faculty
and curriculum. Varied intellectual resources are available
for exploring the dynamics of faith in a world of change.
These resources include The
Albert V. Danielsen Institute for Pastoral Counseling,
the Anna
Howard Shaw Center, the Institute for Religion and Philosophy,
the Center
for Congregational Research and Development, the Martin
Luther King, Jr., Program, and extensive library collections.
The community of the School of Theology is diverse. It reflects
not only the urban environment of Boston, but also the backgrounds
of men and women whose homes may be found in Nebraska's farmlands,
the Dutch country of Pennsylvania, or suburban California.
Men and women from China, Ghana, Korea, and many other countries
contribute to students' understanding of the diverse values
and beliefs operative in our global society.
In addition to chapel services each week and informal fellowship,
students may find opportunities for spiritual development
in a variety of organizations. These include Spiritual Formation
Groups, the International and Minority Student Association,
the Black Seminarians, the Anna
Howard Shaw Women's Center, and the Seminary Singers.
The community is also built upon the simple friendships formed
during study breaks, classes, basketball games, and midnight
talks. In addition, the Office of Student Afairs coordinates
various social and cultural events for the School of Theology
community.
Counseling is provided by The Albert
V. Danielsen Pastoral Counseling Service, located in a
beautiful Victorian brownstone at 185 Bay State Road. Counselors
are doctoral candidates in the field of psychology of religion
and pastoral psychology who are mature pastors under excellent
supervision. Regardless of the many demands on the counseling
services, every effort is made to accommodate requests promptly
from students and spouses in the School of Theology.
By reason of the School's membership in the American Schools
of Oriental Research, all students are granted the privilege
of attending the American Schools in Jerusalem and Amman,
Jordan, without charge for tuition, and are eligible for appointment
to fellowships awarded annually for study in those schools.
The School is also affiliated with the new Ecumenical Institute
for Advanced Theological Studies at Tantur, Jerusalem, and
the United Theological College at Bangalore, India.
Boston University School of Theology is also host to The
Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, North America's
only organization devoted solely to the development and promotion
of congregational song. The Executive Director of The
Hymn Society,
Carl P. Daw Jr., provides instruction to Master of Sacred
Music students, and maintains an extensive collection of hymnals,
supplements, and related material for all denominations
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