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BTI Consortium Certificate Programs

The BTI Consortium awards three certificates in participation with BTI Consortium Member schools; the Religion and Conflict Transformation Certificate (RCT); the Interreligious Leadership Certificate (IL); and the International Mission and Ecumenism Certificate (IME). Both programs are awarded in addition or as a supplement to a full degree granted from BTI Consortium member schools. They are only available to students at member schools who have met the criteria.

Our certificates draw on the collective strengths of our schools and the depths of experience and expertise of faculty. Certificate programs are accessible to all BTI Consortium students and are ultimately awarded by the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium. These certificates are meant as organized opportunities for the expansion of learning in addition to a degree already in process. The certificates on their own are not an accredited degree option, however your school may add them to your transcript (contact your home registrar for more information). 

Religion and Conflict Transformation

The Certificate in Religion and Conflict Transformation is awarded by the BTI Consortium in recognition of courses taken in Religion and Conflict Transformation at Consortium Member schools. The award is determined by the Director of The Tom Porter Religion and Conflict Transformation Program (in collaboration with each student’s Member school’s faculty representative) and awarded by the Director of the BTI Consortium. The Certificate is not a degree but an acknowledgement of a student's interests, efforts and focus within their program. For more information, contact the RCT office or Dr. Judith Oleson.

Procedures:

  • Inform your academic advisor at your school of your interest in obtaining the RCT BTI Consortium certificate.
  • Register with the RCT program hosted at Boston University School of Theology. This enables you to receive information on events and invitation to RCT gatherings.
  • Review the approved course list for the RCT certificate including the one required core course, listed below.  If you would like to submit an alternative course for approval, contact The Tom Porter RCT office at rct@bu.edu.
  • Submit the BTI Consortium Certificate application as soon as you complete your requirements, before March 1st in the Spring Semester that you plan to graduate. Contact the RCT office for Fall graduation information.
  • Submit a final, integrative paper by April 1st in the Spring Semester you plan to graduate. The paper should be 10-12pp and reflect theologically on your learning and experience and understanding of religion and conflict transformation, and how they will serve you in your vocation. Copies of the final paper must be emailed to the BTI office and the RCT office (usually by April 1 of the semester you complete the program).
  • For a Fall Semester graduation, contact the RCT office to determine if you will participate in a Capstone Seminar the Spring before, or Spring after your graduation.

Requirements:

  • Be enrolled at a BTI Consortium Member school, either for a degree or for continuing education.
  • Take core course “TS 805 The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of JustPeace” at Boston University School of Theology, (offered Fall Semester only)  or its equivalent with approval of the RCT Director at BUSTH. Students from other BTI Member schools will cross-register for this course through the BTI Consortium system.
  • Take three additional courses that focus on religion and conflict transformation, or take two courses plus do an internship /field education placement. We strongly encourage at least one of these courses to be taken through BTI cross-registration at a school that is not your home school.
  • Attend the annual RCT Fall Retreat at BUSTH (every year you are in the program)
  • Write an integrative paper, 10-12 pp that summarizes and reflects upon your learning and experience and understanding of religion and conflict transformation and how this will serve you in your vocation.
  • Attend the half day Capstone Seminar in April of the year you graduate to present your paper, where you will receive your certificate from the BTI and participate in a celebratory lunch.

2021 RCT Certificate Graduates

  • Kimberley Bress
  • Katherine Byron
  • Laura Ellis
  • Jessica Hamilton
  • Kristen Jensen
  • Mark Kwiatkowski
  • Mugerwa Martin
  • Michael Mennonno
  • Ana María Rodríguez Alfonso

Interreligious Leadership

The BTI Consortium Certificate in Interreligious Leadership is awarded by the BTI Consortium in recognition of courses taken in Interreligious/Interfaith studies, and a student's dedication to the practical application of these skills, at BTI schools. It is coordinated coordinated by Hebrew College in consultation with a committee of faculty and staff (in formation) from BTI member schools and related institutions, as well as the BTI executive director and board of trustees. The certificate is not a degree but an acknowledgement of a student's interest, effort, and focus within their broader program of study.  

Procedures: 

  • Submit an application form as soon as possible to indicate your enrollment in the certificate program.
  • Enroll in core course (January term at Hebrew College - register when you register for Spring semester courses)
  • Submit an annual progress report to the certificate coordinator 
  • Complete the extracurricular assignments by November 1st (fall graduation) or April 1st (spring graduation).
  • Submit the application for certificate completion by November 1st (fall graduation) or April 1st (spring graduation).

Requirements:

  • Be enrolled at a BTI Consortium Member school, either for a degree or for continuing education.
  • Take four courses related to Interreligious Leadership (Note: at least one of these four courses must be taken at a school other than a student's home institution, can be in-person or online):
    • Core course: “Interreligious Leadership in Theory and Practice” (one-week, interdisciplinary intensive held during the January term at Hebrew College) or an equivalent course (must be approved by BTI Executive Director and Rabbi Or Rose).
    • Comparative theology and/or text study 
    • History of the interaction of two or more religious traditions 
    • Ethics or social/environmental justice in two or more religions traditions 
  • Participate in a mentorship relationship with a clergyperson, intellectual, activist, or artist involved in interreligious leadership (20 hours annually; arranged with the certificate coordinator). 
  • Join the cohort for an annual winter dinner and reflection session (December) 
  • Attend the annual interreligious leadership retreat (6-8 hours) hosted by Hebrew College (April or May) 
  • Write a capstone paper (10-15 pages) or develop an equivalent project synthesizing one’s learning about interreligious leadership, including an exploration of a leadership challenge (to be reviewed by the coordinator and a BTI faculty committee member). 

Faculty Advisory Committee (in formation): 

  • Rabbi Or Rose, Director, The Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership, Hebrew College (certificate coordinator) 
  • Stephanie Edwards, PhD, Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium 
  • Andrew Davis, PhD, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry 
  • Celene Ibrahim, PhD, Boston Islamic Seminary, The Groton School 
  • Daniel Judson, PhD, The Rabbinical School of Hebrew College 
  • Lucinda Mosher, Hartford Seminary 

For More Information: 

Rabbi Or Rose, Director 
The Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership at Hebrew College 
orose@hebrewcollege.edu, 617-548-5081 

 

International Mission and Ecumenism

The BTI Consortium Certificate in International Mission and Ecumenism is awarded by the BTI Consortium in recognition of courses taken in Mission and Ecumenism at BTI schools. The award is determined by a committee of faculty from BTI Consortium Member schools.  The Certificate is not a degree but an acknowledgement of a student's interests, efforts and focus within their program. For more information, contact Fr. Luke Veronis (Holy Cross), Dana Robert (BU), Meg Guider (BC) or Todd Johnson (GCTS).

Procedures: 

Requirements:

  • Be enrolled at a BTI Consortium Member school, either for a degree or for continuing education.
  • Take one course in World or Global Christianity or its equivalent.
  • Take four additional courses that explore mission and/or ecumenism, comparative theology or interfaith relations.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the field, through involvement in a ministry, activity, or organization beyond one’s own tradition or denomination.
  • Write an integrative paper, 5-10pp.

2021 Graduates of the International Mission and Ecumenism

  • John Boutin
  • Olivia Morales
  • Andrew Roushdy
  • Marke Thorne

2021 Costas Consultation: Spirituality in a time of Global Trauma

The Orlando E. Costas Consultation on Mission hosts an annual gathering on  a variety of topics regarding international mission and ecumenism. Students applying for the BTI Consortium IMEC certificate are awarded their certificates at that time and prizes for outstanding student essays in World Christianity and Mission are given, including a small cash award. This year, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the conference was held via Zoom and student essays were not presented. Below you will find recordings of the Costas Presentations from Faculty and Guests from the 2021 Costas Consultation on Spirituality and Trauma.

 

 

 

 

 

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