Professional Education
The Office of Professional Education coordinates the Field
Education and Continuing Education programs of the School
of Theology and serves as a liaison to the United Methodist
Church. Find a brief explanation of our programs below. Click
on the bullets at the left of this page or the program headings
below for more detailed information.
Field Education: All Master
of Divinity candidates are required to take TC-801 and TC-802
Supervised Field Education during
their second year. This course teaches students to reflect
theologically, gain practical ministerial skills, and develop
an identity in professional ministry. The essential components
of the course are the ministerial site, the supervisor, and
the seminar Integration of Theology and Practice (ITP)
that is held on Wednesday afternoons. The Office of Professional
Education assists students to select a site, provides consultation
throughout the field education experience, and supervises
the program. An Orientation session that overviews the program
is held in place of one Pastoral and Spiritual Formation (PSF) class in November of the student’s first year.
Students are to select their field education site by the
end of February with their Field Education Covenant and Information
Sheet due by the end of March. The Office maintains a list
of available sites. Students may not register for any class
their second year until their field education site has been
approved by the Director. All information and requirements
are in the
Field Education Handbook.
Continuing Education: The
Office of Professional Education organizes continuing theological
education for clergy and
laity. These programs are currently in the development phase.
Those with a particular interest in continuing education
are encouraged to make an appointment to speak with the Assistant
Director to share their thoughts and ideas. Please consult
the continuing education
page for more information on these and other continuing
education opportunities at Boston University:
- The
Pastor Scholar Program allows clergy
and other religious professionals to earn continuing
education credit (CEUs) by
taking selected residential courses. No academic
credit toward a degree program current or future
can be earned in this way. A
short application, and final
paper are required.
- Sabbatical Leave Program: The Office
of Professional Education
encourages clergy planning study at STH during
a sabbatical leave to contact the
Director who
is available
to assist them in planning and coordination
of study opportunities.
United Methodist Liaison Program: In order to maintain good
connections with the various annual conferences, boards,
and agencies of the United Methodist Church, as well as to
help students through the ordination process, the Office
of Professional Education runs the following programs:
- Ordination Discernment Groups: Throughout the
year, the Director of Professional Education runs ordination
groups
for candidates
needing
a Guide, a
Mentor, and those who will be going before the Board of
Ordained Ministry.
- Convocation on Ministry: During the first week
of November, the Office of Professional Education holds
a
Convocation
on
Ministry.
Representatives
from the Boards of Ordained Ministry and Cabinets as well
as students are invited for a program of mutual learning
and the opportunity to meet each other to consider future
membership in the annual conferences for the students.
- Conference Representative Interviews: Throughout
the academic year representatives of the Boards of Ordained
Ministry
and
Cabinets stop by
to interview students.
The Office of Professional Education posts interview sign-up
sheets outside the Community Life Office.
The Director of Professional Education represents the School
on various United Methodist boards and agencies and attends
United Methodist events to maintain contact with the Denomination,
its operations, and its leaders. He is available to students
for consultation about ordination or other matters regarding
the United Methodist Church.
Food for a Viable World: The Office of
Professional Education advocates for and serves as a resource
to students, faculty,
and staff interested in learning about issues including eating
to optimize personal health, planetary sustainability, the
ethical treatment of animals, and the just distribution of
resources.
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