Faculty of Theology Advanced Degree Programs

Doctoral Degrees in Theology (PhD and ThD)

Goals

The doctoral programs aim to develop competence that will enable students to make an original contribution to scholarship in a chosen area of specialization. These programs prepare students to teach theology and religious studies in a university or seminary and to do university-level research and writing.

Admission Requirements

  • A bachelors degree, or its equivalent, in arts, from a recognized college or university.
  • A degree in theology (MDiv, MTS, ThM, or MA) from an accredited theological institution.
  • First-class standing (3.7 GPA / A- or better) in course work and a thesis. If a thesis was not required for the masters degree, substantial evidence of research ability (i.e., a 50 page paper) must be submitted with the application.
  • Language requirements: at the time of registration, competence (normally proven through transcript evidence of successful completion of a one-year university course or its equivalent within the previous four years, or by passing a written examination) in one research language, either ancient (Hebrew, Greek, or Latin) OR modern (French, German, Italian or Spanish). Competence in two other languages is required before proceeding to the comprehensives stage of the Program. The three languages required by this stage must include one ancient, one modern, and one of either. A students native language may be accepted as a substitute modern language if the language is considered pertinent to theological research by the students doctoral supervisory committee.

NB For admission, the Biblical Department requires proficiency (2 years of study) in biblical Hebrew for those specializing in Old Testament studies, together with competence in biblical Greek. Proficiency in biblical Greek is required for those specializing in New Testament studies, together with competence in biblical Hebrew. In addition competence in one modern language (German, French, Spanish, or Italian) is required. Before beginning the comprehensive examinations, doctoral students in the Biblical Department are required to establish competency in a second modern language and pass examinations demonstrating advanced ability in Greek and Hebrew commensurate with the candidate's major testament.

For more information on departmental supplemental requirements students should consult the current ThD and PhD Handbook

http://www.tst.edu/webfm_send/247

Duration of Studies and Program Requirements

A minimum of two years of full-time residence is required. The student shall complete twelve units of advanced degree work comprising courses and comprehensive exams; the number of each varies by department. Each student has a doctoral supervisory committee established by his/her department, which works with the student to draw up an individualized program of studies. Half of the required courses must be taken at the 5000 or 7000 level. In addition, all doctoral students shall take three units of study in areas of significantly different minor interest in their own or another TST department or in a department of the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto. Upon completion of the course requirements, students take a series of comprehensive examinations, which must be completed within three years of initial registration. Within six years of initial registration the student shall submit a doctoral dissertation.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Goals

The DMin program is designed to develop excellence in the practice of ministry through a creative coordination of theological reflection, professional development, social analysis, and personal integration.

Admission Requirements

  • An MDiv degree or its equivalent with at least a B+ average (3.3 GPA).
  • Five years of ministerial experience.

Duration of Studies and Program Requirements

Participants carry out their studies (course work, comprehensive exam, ministry project, thesis) while engaged in some form of ministerial work. The program normally takes four years, and must be completed within six years.

Please refer to the TST website for program details: http://tst.edu/academic/programs/doctor-ministry-dmin and application procedures: http://www.tst.edu/prospective/how-apply-doctor-ministry-program or contact

Doctor of Ministry Director
Toronto School of Theology
47 Queens Park Cres. E.
Toronto ON M5S 2C3

Tel: (416) 978-6754
Fax: (416) 978-7821

Email: dmin.office@utoronto.ca

Master Of Theology (ThM)

Goals

The ThM program is designed to deepen student's knowledge of theology and further their preparation for pastoral ministry or for doctoral study. The thesis option (see Option I below) is intended to prepare students for doctoral studies and consists of six courses followed by a thesis. The major paper option (see Option II below) provides the opportunity for advanced study but does not lead to doctoral studies. This alternative consists of eight courses and a major paper.

Admission Requirements

  • A degree in Arts or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
  • A Master of Divinity from an accredited theological institution.
  • Second-class standing (3.3 GPA / B+) or better.
  • Language Requirements

(Option I) Students must demonstrate competence (normally proven through transcript evidence of successful completion of a one-year university course or its equivalent within the previous four years, or by passing a written examination) in one ancient (Hebrew, Greek, Latin) OR modern (French, German, Italian, Spanish) language. Students must demonstrate competence in a second language before beginning the second year in their Program. If the first language requirement is fulfilled with a modern language, the second one must be fulfilled with an ancient language, and vice-versa. A student's native language may be substituted for a modern language if there is a sufficient body of theological literature in that language and there are competent faculty members available to supervise the students work in that language.

NB: For admission, the Biblical Department requires proficiency (2 years of study) in biblical Hebrew for those specializing in Old Testament studies, together with competence in biblical Greek. Proficiency in biblical Greek is required for those specializing in New Testament studies, together with competence in biblical Hebrew. Competence in one modern language (German, French, Spanish, or Italian) is also required before beginning the second year in the program.

(Option II) Requires language competence as appropriate to the area of study.

Duration of Studies and Program Requirements

No full-time residence is required for the ThM. The program is to be completed in not less than one year and not more than six years from the time of original registration.

Students are admitted into one of two options.

Option I: six courses, of which four are in an area of major interest and two in other areas, plus a thesis in the area of major interest.

Option II: eight courses, of which six are in an area of major interest and two in other areas, up to half of which may be at the 3000 level if there is no 6000 level version, plus an extended essay from one of the courses.

Master of Arts in Theology (MA)

Goals

The MA in Theology is designed to provide students with graduate level competence in several areas of theological study. It offers opportunities for advanced work in areas of particular interest to the student and prepares him or her for admission to a doctoral program. The MA in Theology may be earned in biblical, historical, pastoral or theological studies. When students are planning their program in consultation with a faculty advisor, initially the AD director of their college of registration, care will be taken to select courses that reflect the ecumenical nature of the Toronto School of Theology.

Admission Requirements

  • A degree in Arts from an accredited college or university is required.
  • Second-class standing (3.3 GPA / B+) or better.

N.B. Students with the MDiv or its equivalent who are seeking to earn an advanced degree in theology at the Masters level normally enrol in the ThM program.

Duration of Studies and Program Requirements

The MA in Theology is designed as a four-semester (two year) program, consisting of twelve courses (seven required and five elective courses), language requirements and the completion of a masters thesis. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. In keeping with TST regulations, students have a maximum of six years to complete the MA. Normally, candidates will take twelve courses in three semesters (i.e., four courses per semester) and complete a masters thesis in the final semester (the equivalent of four courses). The program is outlined below.

The Seven Required Courses

  1. One course at the 1000 level in each of the following five areas:
    1. History of Christianity (One of Christianity I, Christianity II, Christianity III)
    2. Theological foundations
    3. Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament
    4. New Testament
    5. Christian ethics
  2. One course from offerings at the 5000 or 6000 level in any of the four departments of the Toronto School of Theology dealing with the intersection of Theology/Religion and any of the following:
    1. World Religions (e.g., another religion, comparative religions, inter-religious dialogue, etc.)
    2. Humanities (e.g., art, literature, philosophy, political studies, etc.)
    3. Social Sciences (e.g., anthropology, economics, psychology, sociology, etc.) or
    4. Physical Sciences (e.g., cosmology, ecology, health sciences, etc.)
  3. SMJ5500 Research Methods, offered by the Faculty of Theology of the University of St Michael's College.

The Five Electives

Five courses in the area of specialization (biblical, historical, pastoral, theological). At least two of these courses must be at the 5000 level, the remainder at the 5000, 6000 or 7000 level. No more than two 7000 level courses may be taken for credit towards the program. Consul. the MA Handbook posted online: http://www.tst.edu/webfm_send/246 for specific departmental regulations concerning the electives.

  • Language Requirements

Research competency in one ancient language (Hebrew, Greek, or Latin) OR one modern language (French, German, Italian or Spanish) is required before the student may proceed to the thesis stage of the program. No substitutions are permitted.

N.B. Before MA students in the Biblical Department begin electives, they must have competence in both biblical Hebrew and biblical Greek, and before they present a thesis proposal they must have demonstrated proficiency in the language of the Testament of major interest.

  • Thesis

The MA thesis conforms to the regulations set by the TST for the Advanced Degree level. Refer to the thesis sections in the MA Handbook posted online: http://www.tst.edu/webfm_send/246

  • Exemptions

Students possessing the MDiv or the MTS who desire the MA in Theology may receive transfer credit for the five courses listed under 1 a) and/or their equivalent from other accredited institutions. However, such students are required to take SMJ 5500 Research Methods. Students who have the equivalent of one or more of the required courses under 1 a) at the 1000 level but who do not have the MDiv or MTS, may substitute a course in the same area at the 2000 or 3000 level.