Certificates & Non-Degree
Whether you’re considering a career change, graduate studies, or simply want to pursue new interests, our flexible, relevant, and engaging certificate programs allow you to grow personally and professionally. You may also enroll in coursework as a non-degree student.
Graduate Certificates
Certificate in Theology and Ministry
Explore a specific area of ministry or an expansive range of theological and pastoral areas through this flexible 18-credit certificate. Of the six courses required for this certificate, three should be in theology and three in pastoral/ministerial studies. Complete the program through a combination of academic year, summer, or online offerings. This certificate can also be completed fully online.
This six-course certificate includes spiritual enrichment opportunities for those looking to further their academic or personal development. If you decide to continue into an M.A. degree program after you complete this program, you can use the courses toward the degree. You work with a faculty advisor to choose courses that fit your goals—either focusing on a specific theological area or gaining broad exposure to what CSTM offers. Certificate students are eligible for CSTM’s tuition scholarships.
Certificate in Hispanic Ministry
Are you already enriching Hispanic communities—or interested in doing so in the future? This program is designed for both students and professionals, with and without graduate degrees, who wish to focus their service on Hispanic ministry.
In addition to ongoing professional development, the program provides a nurturing environment for spiritual enrichment and renewal. Coursework is chosen in consultation with your academic advisor.
A limited number of applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree may be admitted to the program under certain conditions.
Program requirements:
- A current commitment to ministry
- 18 credit hours of academic work, including TMPS7090 Ministry in a Diverse Church and two specialized courses related to Hispanic ministry and theology (identified according to curriculum offerings each year).
- At least 50% of the credits must be taken at the CSTM.
- Basic level of conversational Spanish (assessed by a Spanish-speaking faculty member).
Certificate in Religious Education
Intended for educators in Catholic high schools and catechists in parishes who want to concentrate their knowledge, this certificate program is designed to adapt to students' needs. Benefit from CSTM’s tradition of expertise in religious education and four dedicated faculty experts. Of the six courses required for this certificate, at least three should be in religious education, and one must be a foundational course to the field. At least 50% of the courses must be taken at the CSTM.
This program is ideal for veteran religious educators who want to gain specialized knowledge, and for new teachers looking to gain an introduction to the area of religious education.
There are opportunities to combine coursework and take advantage of the resources at BC's Lynch School of Education—the top-ranked school of Catholic education in the country—and the Roche Center for Catholic Education.
During the summer, courses are specifically offered for you to hone your teaching skills and address contemporary issues like theology in the digital age and diversity in the classroom.
Certificate in Christian Spirituality
This certificate allows students who are personally or professionally interested in the study of Christian spirituality to delve into historical and contemporary Christian spiritual traditions, themes, and practices with an eye toward effective spiritual leadership today. Teachers, pastors, ministers, and those drawn to spiritual formation work will benefit from this focused study of Christian Spirituality.
Ideal applicants include:
- Those with an earned master’s degree in an area other than theology who wish to study Christian Spirituality broadly,.
- Those interested in the study of spirituality for their own enrichment or ministerial enhancement who have a strong bachelor’s degree.
- Business executives, educators, alums, pastors, and ministers.
Certificate in Ignatian Spirituality
This six-course certificate prepares students to assume leadership in specifically Ignatian spiritual formation. It makes possible careful study of a highly influential Christian spiritual tradition, giving sustained attention to Ignatian and Jesuit spiritual themes and practices, pedagogy, and leadership. This certificate can be completed either in-person or through a hybrid modality (partially in-person and the rest online).
Ideal applicants include:
- Those with an earned master’s degree in an area other than theology who wish to study Ignatian Spirituality in particular.
- Those interested in the study of Ignatian Spirituality for their own enrichment or ministerial enhancement who have a strong bachelor’s degree.
- Business executives, educators, alums, pastors, and ministers.
Certificate in Spiritual and Pastoral Care
This certificate provides medical professionals, counselors, social workers, and parish pastoral care givers with an opportunity to explore the intersection of Spirituality Studies and Pastoral Care in ways that deepen their ministerial and faith-based service. An Introduction to Spiritual Direction practicum is a required component of this certificate.
Please note: The six-credit Introduction to Spiritual Direction Practicum is an option within the Christian Spirituality Certificate and the Certificate in Ignatian and Jesuit Studies. It is a required element in the Certificate in Spiritual and Pastoral Care. For those with spiritual direction training already who have complete the 19th Annotated Exercises, the summer one-week intensive training program in the 19th annotation is also an option.
Ideal applicants include nurses, counselors, social workers, and parish pastoral care givers.
Advanced Certificates
Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation
Take the next step in your ministerial career and strengthen your ability to transform the spiritual lives of individuals and Christian faith communities. Three themes—prayer and discernment, the art of spiritual direction, and working within faith communities—highlight the program.
This advanced certificate is offered only in the summers and is completed over three summers. The program includes discussions with faculty who are established professionals and hands-on small group work. Prerequisites include a master’s degree in theology and full-time experience in ministry.
Program highlights:
An introduction to the fundamentals of spiritual direction practice
Opportunities to fine-tune your retreat skills
Convenient summer study—two weeks for three consecutive summers
Vibrant daily liturgy
Affordable on-campus housing
Courage to Preach
A six-credit post-master's certificate program for individuals serving young adults.
The program will train participants to read and interpret Scripture and use it as a foundational collection to preach on contemporary issues, such as racial, economic, and environmental justice. The program will teach methods for preaching and teaching diverse audiences. It is especially attuned to the various opportunities, contexts, and media that can be most effective for reaching young adults.
Certificate Features
- Hybrid certificate program that can be completed in one year with a small cohort
- Critical and creative engagement with Scripture
- Enhanced preaching and public speaking skills
- Hands-on experience practicing preaching and developing justice-focused activities in different contexts
Non-Degree Coursework
Our non-degree option allows you to earn academic credit without enrolling in a degree program.
- Regular CSTM tuition rates apply.
- Available each academic term.
- Non-degree students may take up to four courses (12 credit hours).
- For non-degree students who later enroll in a degree program, the credits earned can be counted toward your degree.
- Non-degree students may cross-register at other BTI schools, as long as they take one course at CSTM.
- Non-degree students are also allowed to take courses for audit for one-half of the full credit cost. Please note: Some courses may not allow audits.
Application Requirements
PrintCertificate and non-degree applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Application Form
The application to CSTM must be completed online. Certificate and non-degree applications are accepted on a rolling basis for each entrance term. Please note you can submit your application form once it is completed; you do not need to wait for supplemental materials to arrive.
Religious & International Applicants
Applicants who are Catholic diocesan priests or deacons or members of religious orders must submit a letter of approval and financial support from their bishop, major superior, or Provincial. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.
Application Fee
A non-refundable fee of $75 is required for every degree and non-degree application submitted.
Payment Options
- Pay by credit or debit card via the web. You can pay the application fee at the same time you submit your application form.
Please note: The application fee cannot be refunded for any reason. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you should not pay the fee when you submit the application form. Fee waivers are granted to the following applicants: Jesuits, veterans, applicants currently completing a year of service or who are Pell Grant-eligible, and current CSTM students. We do not waive the application fee for other reasons.
Personal Statement
For certificate applicants:
Your personal statement must be uploaded as part of the application. The personal statement should be one to two pages in length, double-spaced.
Your statement should address the following:
- The academic, professional, and personal development that has motivated you to apply to CSTM. How has your education and/or experience impacted your discernment?
- Your understanding of theological education and/or ministry in the context of the Church's mission, as well as the role and responsibilities of a minister today.
- How you plan to apply your theological education.
- Given your experience, how you assess your principal strengths for theological education and ministry as well as your areas of needed development.
For non-degree applicants:
On the application form, you will be asked to share your reasons for enrolling in the course(s) selected and what prepares you for graduate theological study at CSTM. Please also share any other relevant information to your registration.
Transcripts
We require transcripts from all colleges, universities, seminaries, or theological schools that you have attended. Each transcript should contain a list of all coursework taken, grades/marks received, and, if applicable, degree granted and date of degree confirmation. If your college or university will send official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to cstmapply@xyschool.net. Otherwise, transcripts must be mailed and be contained in a sealed, signed envelope. If the official transcript is not in English, a translation should be provided with the official document. Please alert us if your transcript will be arriving with a different name than the one you are using on your application (e.g. your maiden name). Please note that a transcript is only considered official if received directly from the institution issuing it.
NOTE: For non-degree applicants, only unofficial transcripts are required. For certificate applicants, official transcripts are required, though your application can be reviewed with unofficial copies of your transcripts. If you send unofficial copies, know that if admitted, you must send official copies before you begin your coursework. If you have questions, please reach out to us.
Mailing Addresses
For applicants using the U.S. Postal Service:
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
For applicants using FedEx or UPS:
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
9 Lake Street
Brighton, MA 02135-3841
Recommendations
For certificate applicants:
Certificate applicants are required to submit one recommendation using the online application system.
The recommender should be familiar with the applicant’s academic competence. For applicants who have been out of school for a significant amount of time, the recommender should be familiar with the applicant's professional competence.
Please be sure that your recommender is aware of the application deadlines and online process, and choose them carefully to ensure that they can write on your behalf in a timely manner.
For non-degree applicants:
A letter of recommendation is not required.
Résumé
Your résumé must be uploaded as part of the application. It is helpful if you highlight relevant ministry, service, and leadership positions you have held.
