Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Rigorous and comprehensive, the three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a professional degree program that combines broad study of theology with supervised ministry and spiritual formation. It is the program best suited for students preparing for full-time lay ecclesial ministry or the ordained priesthood. Women and men, lay and religious, work and study collaboratively as they prepare for leadership roles in today's Church. 

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Overview

Year One: Foundation for Ministry

The focus of the first year is to establish a theological and professional foundation and to help students begin to form an approach to ministry. The goal is a mastery of basic courses in History of Christianity, Bible, Christian Ethics, and Systematic Theology.

Year Two: Theological and Professional Competencies

The second year focuses on developing theological and professional competencies. The goals are to deepen students’ familiarity with scripture and prepare them for effective preaching; to increase their understanding of the Church’s moral and theological teaching; and to further the formation of their ministerial identity and personal spirituality.

Year Three: Collaborative Theology of Ministry

The primary aim of the third year is to own and articulate an integrated, collaborative theology of ministry. The goals are to further and enhance integrative studies through advanced course work, seminars, and ministerial experience; to demonstrate competency in preaching, liturgical presiding, and prayer leadership; and to identify and acquire other pastoral skills for collaboration in team ministry.

Why Our M.Div.?

Advising

Meet with your academic advisor and director of spiritual formation throughout the program.

Cohort Development

Gather with your cohort every semester for conversation, prayer, and a meal.  

Lay Formation Nights

Lay M.Div. students across all years gather once per month around a particular theme.

Spiritual Direction

Access ongoing spiritual direction over the course of your program.

Retreat

Receive funding to participate in spiritual direction and the guided retreat of your choice.

Liturgy

Gain two semesters of experience in liturgical ministry at CSTM or in a local parish.

Service

Conduct meaningful service in collaboration with local communities around Greater Boston.

Supervised Ministry

Observe and explore ministerial work, deepen your skills, and examine how ministry relates to theological study. 

Our Students and Alumni

Our diverse community represents a range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences. Explore some of their stories.

Curriculum

Typically completed in three years of full-time study, this 82-credit program provides students with a thorough grounding in Scripture, Church history, historical-systematic­-practical theology, moral theology, and pastoral studies. Under the guidance of a mentor, students also complete an extensive Spiritual Formation Plan.

Pastoral Studies

18 credits

Course NameCredits
Pastoral Care and Counseling (TMPS 7093)3
Canon Law3
Liturgy3
Pastoral Studies Elective3
Supervised Ministry Practicum (TMPS8023)3
Supervised Ministry Practicum (TMPS8023)3

 


Biblical Studies

12 credits




Course NameCredits
The Core Narrative: Genesis to Kings (TMOT7014) or Synoptic  Gospels (TMNT7005) 
3
Old Testament Elective3
New Testament Gospels (TMNT7210) or Synoptic  Gospels (TMNT7005) 3
New Testament Elective3

Systematic Theology

18 credits

 

Course NameCredits
Fundamental Theology (TMST7009)
3
Christology (TMST7024)3
The Church (TMST7020)3
Ecclesial Ministry (TMST8017)3
Sacraments3
Systematic Theology Elective3

History of Christianity

6 credits




Course NameCredits
Narrative Church History Survey Course
3
History of Christianity Elective
3

Christian Ethics

6 credits




Course NameCredits
Fundamental Moral: Theological Ethics (TMCE8002)3
Christian Ethics Elective3

Modules

4 credits

 

Course NameCredits
M.Div. Spiritual Formation (TMPS7187) 1
Module Elective1
Module Elective1
Module Elective1

Careers

100%

of 2023 M.Div. graduates found a placement within six months of graduation

Recent Placements


Director of Campus Ministry, Chestnut Hill College

Religious Studies Teacher, St. Ignatius College Prep

Chaplain Resident, Stanford Health Care

Assistant Chaplain, Liturgical Ministry and Latinx Outreach, College of the Holy Cross

Ph.D. Student, Boston College Theology Department

Deputy Director, Homelessness Prevention Programs, City Mission Boston
 

Financial Support

100% of master's students

receive financial assistance.



Apply

Application Requirements

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Deadlines:

Spring 2025: November 1, 2024

Fall 2025 Priority Scholarship Deadline: January 15, 2025. Applications are still accepted after this date as space allows.

Summer 2025: Rolling Admissions

Application Forms

Please note you can submit your application form once it is completed; you do not need to wait for all of your supplemental materials to arrive. We are able to schedule your interview once we have received your submitted application 

On the application form, applicants will have the opportunity to indicate interest in being paired with a CSTM alum from their program of interest to learn more about CSTM and provide support during the discernment process.

Application Form

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.

International Applicants

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. Email the admissions office at cstmapply@dos5.net to request a waiver.

Standardized Tests

The GRE is optional, but preferred. We especially recommend applicants submit scores if 1) they feel their undergraduate transcript is not indicative of their capacity for success in graduate studies, OR 2) they do not have a strong background in the humanities. We review all applications holistically. Applicants who choose not to submit GRE scores will not be penalized in the admissions process.

Applicants who do send GRE scores should have them sent directly from ETS. Our GRE code is 2508.

English Proficiency Exam

All applicants for whom English is not their native language must also provide TOEFL or IELTS test score results. Read more about special instructions for international applicants here. This webpage will also indicate under with criteria a waiver may be granted. Waivers must be approved in writing by the admissions office.

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@dos5.net.  Otherwise, transcripts must be mailed and be contained in a sealed, signed envelope. If the official transcript is not 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.

Please note that your application may be reviewed with unofficial copies of your transcripts. If you send unofficial copies, know that if admitted, you must sent official copies before you begin coursework. In addition, if you are currently finishing a degree, you must send a final, official version of the transcript upon graduating, and before beginning coursework at CSTM.

Mailing Addresses
For applicants using the U.S. Postal Service:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

For applicants using FedEx or UPS:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
9 Lake Street
Brighton, MA 02135-3841

Recommendations

M.Div. applicants are required to submit three recommendations using the online application system. 

At least two recommenders should be familiar with the applicant’s academic background and potential. For applicants who have been out of school for a significant amount of time, recommenders should be familiar with the applicant's professional competence. One recommender should be familiar with the applicant's ministerial potential and experience.

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. This is in addition to the other three recommendations. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.

Please be sure that your recommenders are 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.

Interview

The admissions office interviews all master's applicants. All interviews take place remotely.

Résumé

The resume must be uploaded as part of the application.  It is helpful if you highlight relevant ministry, service, research, teaching, and leadership positions you have held.

Personal Statement

The personal statement must be uploaded as part of the application.  The personal statement should be three 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. Include a sketch of your educational background and interests, any experience you have in ministry and/or religious education, and any other relevant professional and volunteer experience
  • 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 and/or theologian today.
  • How you plan to apply your theological education
  • Given your experience, how you assess your principal strengths for theological education and/or ministry as well as your areas of needed development

CSTM Opportunities

Chaplaincy

Graduate studies at CSTM offer a unique opportunity to engage in rigorous theological studies for ministry in the context of one of the world's most expansive healthcare settings.

Theology & the Arts

Seeking God in all things, our engagement with artistic mediums like poetry, music, drama, and literature nourishes our imagination, informs our ministry, and enlivens our theology.

Hispanic Ministry

Mindful that nearly 45 percent of all Catholics in the United States identify as Hispanic/Latino, CSTM is at the forefront of the conversation about how to serve the needs of an increasingly Hispanic church.

Explore CSTM's hilltop home, Simboli Hall, virtually or in-person.

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