Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue

Bridge Beliefs, Build Understanding

What could be possible if we understood each other better? The Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue equips learners to engage in meaningful, respectful interfaith conversations by exploring diverse religious traditions, practices, and texts. Through experiential learning, dialogue techniques, and a capstone project, participants develop skills to foster understanding, connection, and peace across faith communities.

Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue Overview

The Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue focuses on building skills for effective communication across difference. The mandatory core course, Dialogue: Principles and Practices, introduces learners to the skills and tools for open, curious, non-judgemental communication that will be used within each elective, as well as their theological and philosophical origins.

Elective courses within the Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue are structured around the Four Levels of Interreligious Dialogue, ensuring that learners engage with diverse ways of encountering and understanding different faith traditions.

Dialogue of Life – Courses in this category explore how people of different faiths coexist in daily life, emphasizing relationships, shared experiences, and cultural exchange. Learners reflect on personal encounters and case studies of interfaith communities.

Dialogue of Action (Deeds) – These courses focus on interfaith collaboration for social justice, environmental stewardship, and community service. Learners examine real-world initiatives where faith groups work together for the common good.

Dialogue of Religious Experience – Learners engage with the spiritual and devotional practices of different traditions, including prayer, rituals, and meditation. Courses may involve site visits, guest speakers, or experiential activities to foster deeper appreciation.

Dialogue of Theological Exchange – This level delves into theological discussions between religious traditions, exploring key beliefs, sacred texts, and philosophical perspectives. Courses encourage respectful debate and comparative analysis of doctrines.

**Learners must complete at least one course from each Level in order to successfully complete the Diploma program.

In the capstone project, learners will apply interfaith dialogue principles to a real-world issue, demonstrating their ability to foster mutual understanding, address societal challenges, and propose actionable solutions through research, reflection, and engagement with diverse perspectives.

Diploma Outcomes

By the end of the program, learners will be able to:

1. Demonstrate Interreligious Understanding – Analyze key beliefs, practices, and historical developments of major religious traditions, recognizing both commonalities and differences.
2. Engage in Meaningful Interfaith Dialogue – Apply effective communication strategies to engage respectfully, with curiosity and reserving judgement, in discussions across religious traditions, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
3. Critically Reflect on Personal and Social Impacts of Religion – Evaluate the role of religion in shaping individual identity, societal values, and global issues
4. Apply Interfaith Perspectives to Social Action – Demonstrate an understanding of promoting interfaith cooperation in areas such as social justice, community building, and environmental sustainability.
5. Synthesize Theological and Experiential Learning – Integrate theological insights, lived experiences, and scholarly research to form a nuanced perspective on interfaith engagement in contemporary society.

Curious to know what this learning looks like in action? Read the reflection of 2025 graduate Simon Burke here!

Virtual Information Session Wednesday, May 21st 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m. or 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Join us online on Wednesday, May 21st 2025 from 12:00 to 1:00 or 6:00-7:00 for a virtual information session. Hear more about the program and upcoming Fall course offerings, and participate in a Q&A. We look forward to seeing you there! Register here to participate.

Admission Requirements

• The Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue is a non-degree credit program offered by the Division of Continuing Education. There are no academic or professional pre-requisites, and learners do not need to apply to be accepted to the program. Learners from all faith traditions are invited and encouraged to participate in this program.
• Learners who have completed the mandatory core required course (Dialogue: Principles and Practices), and 8 elective courses (including at least one course from each Level of Interfaith Dialogue) will be permitted to enrol in the capstone course. Upon successful completion of the capstone, learners are awarded the status of completing the Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue and will be invited to convocated in a ceremony in the Fall on campus at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto.

Fees

Each course within the program costs $150.

This program is supported by a significant financial endowment from Scarboro Foreign Missions (SFM), and extends the charism of the SFM Fathers in interfaith dialogue. SFM has been deeply committed to interfaith dialogue for many decades. This Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue situates the legacy of the Scarboro Foreign Mission to create an educational opportunity for men and women who wish to understand the religious ideals and values of their neighbours and even themselves within Continuing Education at USMC, where our mission, vision and values, and adult learning pedagogies will support it. 

Program Requirements

To complete the Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue, learners must complete the following within a maximum timeframe of 3 years:

Total Instructional Hours – 120 hours

Complete a mandatory core course – Take Dialogue: Principles & Practices (12 hours) to gain foundational skills in interfaith dialogue. Note: It is recommended that s take this course first.

Take 8 Elective Courses – Select from various topics across the four Levels of Interfaith Dialogue (Life, Deeds, Religious Experience, Theological Exchange), ensuring at least one course from each level (96 hours total).

Complete the Capstone Course – Engage in a final project applying interfaith dialogue principles through research, creative work, or community engagement (12 hours).

Courses

To get started in the Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue, choose a course and enroll. We recommend starting with SMCE3000 Dialogue: Principles and Practices.

All learners are welcome to enroll in individual courses based on their interests. There is no obligation to complete the entire diploma program to participate in a course.

Each academic year, courses will be offered across Levels of Dialogue to ensure that all learners can meet the program’s breadth requirements.

*Learners who enrolled in the Diploma prior to Fall 2025 are not required to complete the Capstone*

Course Schedule, Fall 2025 to Fall 2026

Please note: Programming is subject to change

Questions?

Land Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of St. Michael’s College operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.