Research and reflection are vital to life at CSTM, as they allow us to integrate what we learn in the classroom into our everyday experiences while enhancing broader scholarly conversations. As a CSTM student, you can work directly with our expert faculty and conduct your own research through self-directed study.
"You will find openness and camaraderie."
Each year, a small group of students is selected as research assistants to work with individual faculty members for ten hours per week. All research assistants are also part of the Research Assistant Mentorship Program, which includes additional library training around academic research as well as monthly symposia for the whole cohort with a rotating faculty supervisor, at which the faculty member will discuss their approach to research and the best practices they use in their work.
M.T.S., 2023
Whether watching The Chosen after a long day of work or taking a study break to split some gluten free brownies, our STM community sustains me every day.
Hometown
Vienna, VA
Undergraduate Institution and Major
University of Notre Dame, Majors: Music & Spanish, Minors: Education, Schooling, and Society & Catholic Social Tradition
Why STM?
STM is a place where I can flourish intellectually and spiritually within a community that supports me as I discern how I will enact change in the Church and the world. The expertise and mentorship of professors, the rich student life, and the commitment of the STM to justice in ministry inspire me daily and make the STM a place I love to be.
My Experience
I had the opportunity to complete a directed readings course with three STM faculty members that was a very meaningful experience for my personal and professional development at STM. It was incredible to be able to develop a syllabus, dive into important topics, and engage in this learning with faculty members drawing from their expertise in dialogue with the course materials. Throughout the process, I felt so supported in pursuing scholarship that mattered to me, and I will continue drawing from this experience in my future work.
MTS, 2024
Faculty are strongly invested in the academic and overall career success of their students, and I have met wonderful students who inspire me to consider how my academic vocation will positively impact the life of the church.
Hometown
Pensacola, FL
Undergraduate Institute and Major
University of Notre Dame
Most Meaningful Course
Fr. Dunkle's Trinity in the Early Church course was fundamental to my academic formation. It was challenging and rigorous, but I was completely engaged in the material. Its intellectual rigor challenged my mind to its full extent; furthermore, the course reminded me that what the Trinity and other more "abstract" dogma should never be divorced from the lived experience of Christianity. This class and others have been an inspiration to pursue a doctorate in theology.
My Experience
The STM is a great fit for me because it emphasizes community without sacrificing any academic rigor. When applying for a MTS, a major priority for me was forming mentorships with faculty and students who take seriously their studies. In both respects the STM has fulfilled this desire. Faculty are strongly invested in the academic and overall career success of their students, and I have met wonderful students who inspire me to consider how my academic vocation will positively impact the life of the church. Along with this, the great breadth of courses available to students through the BTI, and especially the main campus, provide students many options for coursework. With this variety, students can tailor their degree to the theological interests and engage with doctoral classes and students, both at BC and across Boston.
Community
STM events, and especially the lunches following Thursday liturgy, have been a great way to foster community for me. Perhaps even more formative for me, though, are the casual and informal conversations and friendships I have formed in the classroom, walking by others in the library, and around campus. In these interactions, It is always encouraging to see familiar faces from the classroom in the library as we all try to journey in our learning together.
M.T.S., 2023
What has made STM work for me is the people and the sea of opportunities.
Hometown
Puerto Varas, Chile
Undergraduate Institution and Major
Theology, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
My Experience
I have only been at the STM for one semester and I have already been able to build deep and meaningful friendships. I found people within the STM community that share many of my interests and attractions. This past semester I attended a doctoral seminar in the “Theology of Edward Schillebeeckx” where I encountered, not just classmates, but friends. A relation born out of shared theological concerns and passion for research.
Ph.D. Theology and Education '25
The STM is committed to form ministers and scholars who recognize the spiritual and social needs of God's people. The formation and support we receive as students is holistic and social justice oriented.
Undergraduate Institution and Major
Fresno State University, Hispanic Literature
Experience
The accompaniment and mentorship of my academic advisor has been key for my educational success while at the STM. Dr. Hosffman Ospino has been a great support helping me to transition from my pastoral ministry background to academic scholarship, discerning my research project, broadening my network, and strengthening my research and writing skills.
Community
The STM is intentional providing spaces for community building through the liturgy, students-led groups, and cultural celebrations. Additionally, the program cohorts are small allowing us to connect at a deeper level with our peers. My Ph.D. cohort has become my family and primary support in the academic struggle as well as in life challenges.
MTS., 2024
I love how each professor has their own distinctive way of imparting knowledge in a way that is not only educational but also beneficial to my spiritual formation.
Hometown
Jakarta, Indonesia
Undergraduate Institute and Major
Southeast Asia Bible Seminary, Bachelor in Theology
Most Meaningful Experience
CSTM has a very dynamic and diverse learning environment. I love how each professor has their own distinctive way of imparting knowledge in a way that is not only educational but also beneficial to my spiritual formation. The assignments give me the flexibility to make the connection with my own research interests. Also, as an international student in the class who speaks English as a second language, I value the professors' consideration for me and how they give me an opportunity to voice my opinions.
My Experience
As a foreigner who just came to the US, I found CSTM to be a warm and welcoming community. My most memorable experience was the GA orientation, where it was the first time I met some good friends of mine. Also, I particularly enjoy the weekly mass and community lunch because it allows me to meet different kinds of people, including the faculty members, who turn out to be really approachable.
Every year, CSTM students participate in and lead events such as the Lumen et Vita Spring Conference and Accessing the Divine Conference, co-sponsored by the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium.
The Christian faith is, and has been, bound to Scripture in some form since the earliest communities of believers. The Scriptural texts are sources of healing and solidarity, but also points of contention and controversy. Through Scripture communities are formed, shaped, and sustained; There is no doubt that the Christian faith is perpetually shaped by the Hebrew Bible, the books called Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha, and the New Testament.
This conference welcomes paper proposals from the following disciplines and accompanying subdisciplines: Biblical Studies, Historical Theology/History of Christianity, Ethics/Moral Theology, Pastoral Theology, Gender Studies, Feminist Theology, Ecumenical Theology, Liturgical Studies, Ecclesiology, Linguistic Studies, Biblical Literature, and any other fields that incorporate Scripture in a various different ways. While this is a Conference with Scripture at the core of its theme, a diverse range of proposals are acceptable.
Accessing the Divine invites participants to reimagine what it means to be human through the lens ofdisabled embodiment. We also welcome proposals on critical issues and themes from graduatestudents, faculty, religious leaders, activists, and academics in a variety of fields, such as disabilitytheology, practical theology, liberation theology, systematic theology, comparative theology, religiousstudies, disability studies, area studies, sociology, ethics, psychology, and related subject matters.
The 2nd Annual Accessing the Divine Conference invites graduate students and emerging scholars working in fields related to disability theology to submitproposals which engage interdependence, disability, creation, climate and/or relationality inconversation. Proposals which consider methodological reflections on approaches towards disability,interdependence, and climate are also invited.
Co-Sponsored by Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium and Boston College Theology and Ministry Library
The steering committee for a new graduate student conference of the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium (BTI) is inviting papers on the intersections of academic disciplines of theology, religious studies, and the creative world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and other related media. D&D is one of the most influential games ever created and helped launch roleplaying games into popularity. The conference will include a keynote speaker, papers, and a live D&D game.
We invite submissions from diverse disciplines, subdisciplines and perspectives such as (but not limited to): Gender Studies, Queer Studies, Game/Media Studies, Postcolonial Studies, Theology, Religious Studies, Narrative, Phenomenology, Ludology, Liturgical Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, Art, Literature, Performance, Critical Theory, etc.
Financial assistance is available to CSTM students who attend professional and academic conferences as a way to further their graduate and professional research initiatives and professional formation goals, and to represent the school on the local, national, and international level. Both the Clough School of Theology and Ministry and the Graduate Student Association offer opportunities to fund conferences and research for qualified students.