Institute offers new degree

Interested in pursuing a service-oriented career after you graduate, but not sure exactly where to look?

A new program being offered through the Boston College Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (IREPM) and the Lynch Graduate School of Education (GLSOE) might be what you've been searching for.

The two associations have recently combined to create a new five-year BA/Master's in education (MED) program for people who want to undertake a career in religious education.The program is open to all undergraduates.

BC undergraduates interested in working with campus ministries in high schools or colleges, with youth in parishes, or teaching religious education to elementary or secondary school students may apply to the program beginning their junior year. Upon acceptance, students start graduate courses during their senior year.

Jennifer Bader, associate director of academic affairs for IREPM, said that the program came about after a meeting with Arline Riordan, assistant dean for GLSOE. Riordan discussed a similar MED program that's offered to undergraduates interested in a career in education.

Within the Lynch School of Education (LSOE), undergraduates can begin graduate courses during their senior year.

The latest that a student is finished with graduate coursework is in August of the year after they graduated with a BA degree.

Bader acknowledged that BC produces many undergraduate theology, economics, and sociology majors who do not necessarily know what they want to do with their Bachelor's degree after they graduate.

"We have a lot of people who have been involved with PULSE or do something that is service oriented," said Bader. "So we decided that we would start accepting applications for BC juniors who are interested in this as something they want to do as a career or as something they want to do until they figure out what they want as a career after graduation."

IREPM has always offered a MED through LSOE in religious education.

"We prepare people who are interested in teaching in the local parishes, social justice issues, going on immersion trips," she said.

Bader was enthusiastic about being able to offer this opportunity to undergraduates.

"We thought, why aren't we doing this, why haven't we started it before?" said Bader.

In prior years, a MED in religious education was available through IREPM.

Yet, since IREPM is an institute and not a school, it did not offer degrees to undergraduate students.

Bader spoke of the degree's versatility and how it is distinct from a MA degree.

"The reason it's an MED and not just a MA [Master of Arts] is because not only is theology taught, but you also learn pedagogy, which is teaching theory," said Bader.

"Learning theory prepares you to be a teacher; it's not a theoretical degree like a MA in theology."

"This is very specifically a degree that teaches you how to be a teacher, engages you in the classroom, and teaches you learning strategies," she continued.

Bader began plans for this program, which has already been instated, in October. IREPM has an admissions process separate from LSOE.

Students interested in applying should fill out an application through IREPM and check off that they're submitting an application for the five-year MED program.

Bader spoke of the fiscal advantages to entering into this post-graduate program.

All students at IREPM who are pursuing degrees receive 50 percent remission, meaning that half of their tuition is paid by BC. "[The] University recognizes that our graduate is going to go work for the church and not a lot of money is made in that career," said Bader.

Bader said applicants will be admitted based on their readiness to beginning their graduate studies in their senior year.

"If we decide as a committee that you are capable of the work, then you're in," she said.

Bader commented on the fact that although it would prove beneficial, it is not necessary for students to have an extensive background in theology before entering ino the MED program.

"We have a lot of students now that are not in that background," she said.