Frequently Asked Questions

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I understand the TST is a federation. Who belongs to the federation?

Seven institutions are member colleges: Emmanuel College of Victoria University, Knox College, Regis College, St. Augustine's Seminary, University of St. Michael's College, University of Trinity College, and Wycliffe College.

Four institutions are affiliated schools of TST: Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo, Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario, the Institute for Christian Studies, and Waterloo Lutheran Seminary at Wilfrid Laurier University.

What programs are offered at the TST?

The TST member schools offer several professional and academic programs at the post-baccalaureate level. "Basic degrees"are first theological degrees, and are administered by the member schools of the TST. Students contemplating application to a basic degree program should address the admissions officer at a member college. "Advanced degrees" operate at a higher academic level, and (except in the case of the MA) admission is restricted to students with both a bachelor's degree and a basic theological degree. The advanced degrees (MA, ThM, DMin, PhD and ThD) are administered by TST, and enquiries concerning admission can be addressed to tstadv.degree@utoronto.ca.

A degree conferred conjointly by the University of Toronto is likely to have considerable international recognition. Which TST degrees are conjoint?

Conjoint basic degrees are:

Master of Divinity (MDiv) - offered by all TST member schools
Master of Religious Education (MRE) - offered by Emmanuel College, Knox College, St. Augustine's Seminary and the University of St. Michael's College
Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) - offered by Emmanuel College
Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality (MAMS) - offered by Regis College
Master of Sacred Music (MSMus) - offered by Emmanuel College
Master of Theological Studies (MTS) - offered by all TST member schools

Conjoint advanced degrees are:

Master of Theology (ThM)
Doctor of Theology (ThD)
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

I'm attracted to the MA and PhD nomenclature, because these degrees might be more readily understood and appreciated by the research universities where I might want to apply for a job. Do you offer them?

Yes; the TST administers MA and PhD degrees, which are awarded by the University of St. Michael's College. These are not conjointly conferred by the University of Toronto.

If I don't have a bachelor's degree, can I study at TST?

Some colleges will admit persons without a bachelor's degree to the MDiv program. Such persons must give evidence that they can function effectively at a post-baccalaureate level. Each member college has its own rules for these cases and makes its own decisions about them.

Also, many colleges have certificate or diploma programs, operated separately from the degree programs, open to persons without university degrees. These programs include the following (the colleges offering these programs are identified in parentheses by their digrams): Diploma in Community and Health Ministries (EM); General Assembly Certificate (KN); Certificate in Retreat Direction (RG); Diploma in Philosophical Studies (RG); Master of Sacred Theology (RG); Diploma in Eastern Christian Studies (RG); Certificate in Eastern Christian Studies (RG); Diploma in Lonergan Studies (RG); Diploma in Spiritual Direction (RG); Diploma in Spiritual Theology (RG); Diploma in Theological Studies (RG); Licentiate in Sacred Theology (RG); Diploma in Theological Studies (SA); Diploma in Lay Ministry (SA); Diploma in Religious Education (SM); Diploma in Theological Studies (SM); Diploma in Eastern Christian Studies (SM); Diploma in Ministry (TR); Diploma in Theology (TR); Diploma in Christian Studies (WY); Certificate in Anglican Studies (WY).

How can I be sure that the degree I earn at TST will be recognized elsewhere?

The standard way by which institutions give public attestation of the educational quality of their degree programs is accreditation. The TST member schools and TST itself are members of the Association for Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and their degree programs are accredited by the ATS' Commission on Accrediting. Our nine "conjoint" degree programs, which lead to degrees conjointly conferred by the University of Toronto, have the additional endorsement of the University of Toronto, which is ranked among the world's top research universities. The ThM and ThD programs are approved by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies.

How big is TST?

In 2010-2011, 1652 students attended the Toronto School of Theology member schools. Of these, 1171 were enrolled at the basic degree level, and 481 at the advanced degree level. 639 students studied full time, while 1013 studied part time. There are 91 regular faculty members within the Toronto School of Theology, appointed by the seven colleges. When adjunct faculty members are included, we have a faculty strength of about 250. Adjunct faculty members are normally part-time, and may not teach courses every year.

How many courses do I have to choose from?

In 2008-2009, the seven member schools offered a total of 479 courses. 345 of the courses were offered at the basic degree level while 134 were offered at the advanced degree level. In summer 2009, 83 courses were offered (65 basic degree courses and 13 advanced degree courses).

Will I find the books I need in the libraries there?

The University of Toronto Library system is the largest academic library in Canada; in North America it is ranked the fourth in size after Harvard, Yale, and the University of California at Berkeley. It has over 10 million bound volumes, over 5 million microfilms, over a million maps, films, recordings, and graphics, and 70,000 serial titles. TST students have full access to the collection, and, except at a few specialized libraries, full borrowing privileges.

Each college has its own library (except that Trinity and Wycliffe share their library). All college libraries are part of the University of Toronto Libraries.

I hear that Toronto is an interesting place to live?

Toronto is generally regarded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Over 140 languages and dialects are spoken here, and just over 30 per cent of Toronto residents speak a language other than English or French at home. The city of Toronto has a population of 2.7 million; in what is called the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), there are 5.5 million. Toronto has become the primary financial and commercial centre of Canada, and it is the cultural and entertainment capital of English Canada.

What is the Centre for the Study of Ministry?

This is an interdisciplinary academic centre which administers the Doctor of Ministry program and promotes research and publication in the area of ministry.

How can I request a transcript?

You should contact the college registrar's office of the college through which you were enrolled. If you do not know through which college you were enrolled, please contact the TST Registrar, Diane Henson, at (416)978-4040 or diane.henson@utoronto.ca .