Dual Degrees in Theology and Education

The two dual degree programs combine the School of Theology Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) with a Master of Arts in Teaching from BU’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development.

In addition to competencies developed by the MTS or MDiv degrees, the MAT program is a joint program with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences that prepares students to become professional educators by developing competency in three areas: (1) coursework in your subject area at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; (2) education coursework in instructional design, adolescent development, classroom methods and evaluation, and more; and (3) practical skills acquired through field experiences.

The MAT program leads to licensure as a middle or high school teacher in all states and in the District of Columbia through reciprocal licensure agreements. For Massachusetts licensure, students must pass the appropriate Massachusetts subject matter test to be eligible for licensure in that field. Requirements for other states will vary.

Requirements

Optimally, the duration for each dual degree program is:

• Two and one-half years (full time) to complete the requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• Three and one-half years (full time) to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and the Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Students should ordinarily begin their program with one full year at the School of Theology (STH) for the MTS/MAT or two full years at the School of Theology for the MDiv/MAT (see plans of study). In the following year, students complete the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development MAT degree work, and during that year the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development becomes their “home school.” In the final term of each degree program, the student is again an STH student finishing up their MDiv or MTS degree work. Exceptions to this basic plan may be possible with permission from the Academic Dean of each school.

Please see the individual school websites for advanced standing and transfer unit policies.

Admissions

To be admitted to one of the dual degree programs, a student must meet the entrance requirements of each school. Students are admitted to the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences jointly.

Students are encouraged to apply initially to the School of Theology, but an application expressing the clear intent to engage in the dual degree program may be submitted to both schools at the same time. If the student is already enrolled in one of the schools, he or she must still apply to the other school for admission.

The programs are not open to students who have already completed one of the degrees (either the MAT or the MTS or MDiv) at another graduate school.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Students pay the tuition of their home school. School of Theology financial assistance is possible for qualified STH students depending on their degree program—only for the years in which the School of Theology is their home school.