Basic Degree Programs
TST's seven member colleges offer several basic master's degrees in theology which provide students with an introduction to theological study as well as preparation for professional ministry. Basic degree programs are first theological degrees taught at the post-baccalaureate level.
The following degrees are conferred conjointly by a TST member college and the University of Toronto. Not all TST member colleges offer all degrees. Program overviews below note which colleges offer a particular degree program. The degrees listed below are in accordance with the categories and criteria of the Association for Theological Schools.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Specific information about a basic degree program and admission requirements should be sought from the member college offering the program, as each college sets its own unique curriculum for each program.
- For more information on a particular degree program, contact the admissions staff of the member college offering the program, as noted in the program overviews below. If all TST member colleges offer the degree, contact the college(s) you are most interested in attending.
The Basic Degree Handbook outlines common policies and procedures for basic degrees offered by TST member colleges:
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
The Master of Divinity program prepares students for ordained ministry and for responsibilities of general pastoral and religious leadership in congregations and other settings.
Individual colleges may stipulate individual course requirements or a minimum quota of courses, and may require up to two additional courses. Colleges may also require prerequisites, co-requisites and competency for ministry work outside of the degree program itself. The colleges evaluate a student’s readiness for ministry according to requirements, conditions, and norms prescribed by the individual college.
The MDiv can be used as preparation for doctoral studies as long as the student has taken enough courses in the proposed area of study and (normally) has completed a thesis.
Member Colleges: The MDiv is offered by all TST member colleges.
Length: Minimum three years (30 courses) or equivalent units (15 credits), with a requirement of at least two terms of full-time study. Students may take longer to complete the program, but a minimum of two terms must be devoted to full-time study.
Hybrid Program Delivery: The MDiv is offered as an online or in-person program with no more than 66% of the coursework of the entire program being online. As part of that coursework, students on the hybrid pathway will be able to complete their field education in ministry at sites outside the Greater Toronto Area while under the supervision of professors at their home colleges, who will help them to reflect on their field education experiences.
Combined Degrees: It is possible to earn two basic degrees in a combined degree program with some credits being counted for both degrees. The combined programs are administered directly by the member colleges specified below. The following combined degree programs can be completed in four years:
- MDiv / MRE - offered and administered through the University of St. Michael's College Faculty of Theology
- MDiv / MPS - offered and administered through Emmanuel College
How to Apply: Applications are made directly to a member college. All TST member colleges offer the Master of Divinity program.
More Information: For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the admissions staff of your college(s) of interest directly.
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
The Master of Theological Studies program provides students with a general introduction to theological scholarship, for their own enrichment or to establish a theological context within which to exercise their own ministry or apostolate. The MTS can also be used as preparation for doctoral studies.
The program may include areas of specialization, two streams are available:
- Theology, Spirituality and the Arts Stream - offered by Emmanuel College, Regis College, Trinity College Faculty of Divinity, and University of St. Michael's College Faculty of Theology
- Urban Community Development Stream - offered by Wycliffe College
Member Colleges: The MTS program is offered by all TST member colleges, however the two specialization streams are only offered at select colleges (see above) and applications to the MTS program must be made to those colleges if that particular stream of study is desired.
Length: Minimum two years (20 courses, including summative exercise); can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.
How to Apply: Applications are made directly to a member college. All TST member colleges offer the Master of Theological Studies program, but students desiring a specific specialization stream (see above) apply to the college offering that stream.
More Information: For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the admissions staff of your college(s) of interest directly.
Master of Psychospiritual Studies (MPS)*
*Effective September 1, 2024 the nomenclature of the MPS changes from Master of Pastoral Studies to Master of Psychospiritual Studies.
The Master of Psychospiritual Studies (formerly Master of Pastoral Studies) program prepares students for competent leadership in specialized ministries including pastoral care ministries. The MPS is a professional and terminal degree, which means it does not directly lead towards doctoral studies.
The following is offered at Emmanuel College:
- Spiritual Care Stream
The following is offered at Knox College:
- Spiritual Care Focus
Length: Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
Combined Degrees - MDiv / MPS: It is possible to earn two basic degrees in a combined degree program with some credits being counted for both degrees. The combined MDiv / MPS program is administered by Emmanuel College and can be completed in four years.
How to Apply: Applications are made directly to either Emmanuel College or Knox College. For a combined MDiv / MPS degree, apply directly to Emmanuel College.
More Information: For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the Emmanuel College Admissions Counsellor, emmanuel.admissions@utoronto.ca; or the Knox College Admissions Counsellor, knox.admissions@utoronto.ca.
Certificate in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy (SCP)
This conjoint certificate, offered by Emmanuel College and Knox College as part of the Master of Psychospiritual Studies program, is designed to enable students to apply for membership in professional organizations, typically for vocations as spiritual care therapists in hospitals, correctional institutions, churches, family therapy practices, private practices, counselling services, palliative care hospices, schools, developmental disability facilities, or the military.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible to apply for the SCP Certificate you must be registered in the Master of Psychospiritual Studies, Spiritual Care Stream at Emmanuel College, or the Master of Psychospiritual Studies, Spiritual Care Focus at Knox College AND have successfully completed a minimum of five courses (5 X 0.5 FCEs) in the MPS program (excluding transfer credits). Students are strongly encouraged to apply to be admitted to the SCP Certificate in their first year of study. Students who have completed the required credits for the MPS are not eligible to be admitted to the certificate.
Seats in the certificate program are limited and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.
How to Apply: Applications for the SCP Certificate program are submitted directly to TST through an online application process, which is open in the Spring each year for admission to the following Fall semester.
Interprofessional Education (IPE) through CACHE
This extracurricular program is offered by the Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education (CACHE). This program supports students to develop collaborative team-based skills to practice effective spiritual care in healthcare settings. It enables students to build interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and relationships to work in the complex dynamics of multi-service healthcare contexts. Participation is strongly recommended for students seeking to serve in health care contexts.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible to request registration in the IPE program you must be registered in the Master of Psychospiritual Studies (MPS) at Emmanuel College and Knox College, be in good academic standing (CGPA of 2.7 or higher), have no indebtedness to the University of Toronto or to TST member colleges, AND have a minimum of two semesters of study remaining in the MPS program from the Fall semester. Seats in the IPE program are limited. Allocation of places is on a first-come-first served basis of eligible students within the individual college quota.
How to Register: Request to register in the IPE program by submitting directly to TST through an online application process, which is open in the Spring each year for entry to the following Fall semester.
Master of Religious Education (MRE)
The Master of Religious Education program equips students for competent leadership in a variety of settings including educational ministry in congregations and other religious institutions.
Member Colleges: The MRE program is offered by St. Augustine’s Seminary and the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology.
Length: Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a part-time basis.
Combined Degrees - MDiv / MRE: It is possible to earn two basic degrees in a combined degree program with some credits being counted for both degrees. The combined MDiv / MRE program is administered by University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology and can be completed in four years.
How to Apply: Applications are made directly to either St. Augustine's Seminary or the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology. For a combined MDiv / MRE degree, apply directly to the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology.
More Information: For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the admissions staff of St. Augustine's Seminary, erin.passmore@utoronto.ca, or the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology, rsm.theology@utoronto.ca.
Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality (MAMS)
The Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality program prepares students for leadership in a specialized area of ministry such as pastoral ministry and spiritual direction.
Length: Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
Member Colleges: The MAMS program is only offered by Regis College.
How to Apply: Applications are made directly to Regis College.
More Information: For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the Regis College registrar's office directly, regis.registrar@utoronto.ca
Master of Sacred Music (MSMus)
The Master of Sacred Music program provides graduate-level training in the art of sacred music. This program offers musical and theological depth, and will equip persons from any Christian tradition with the tools required to lead music for worship in congregations and other settings. Areas of specialty include organ, piano, composition, guitar, voice, and conducting.
Member Colleges: The MSMus program is only offered by Emmanuel College.
Length: Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
How to Apply: Applications are made directly to Emmanuel College.
More Information: For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the Emmanuel College Admissions Counsellor directly, emmanuel.admissions@utoronto.ca