Master of Arts in Theology
The Master of Arts (MA) in Theology is designed for students not preparing for ordained ministry. Some of the required courses for this program are offered in the evening and during the spring term, making it an excellent choice for commuting or part-time students.
There are two fields to this program:
Public Faith and Spirituality
The Public Faith and Spirituality field covers the Bible, church history, systematics, ethics and practical theology. In this wide-ranging course of study, you can prepare for a career in theology not leading to ordained ministry.
Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
The Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field is a unique form of therapy that integrates spiritual/religious resources as well as counselling theory into clinical practice. Graduates of this MA program may be able to pursue professional accreditation with external accrediting bodies once both academic and other criterion required by the accrediting bodies are completed. The student is responsible to manage their course selection and application for accreditation. This program provides academic preparation but not professional certification.
The MA program commences in September annually. Applicants are assessed on the basis of the application materials submitted (including official transcripts, references, writing sample and a personal statement). These materials will not be returned to the applicant. The applicant may be invited for a personal interview.
The requirements for admission include a bachelor's degree (normally with a minimum grade point average of B) from a recognized accredited university or university college. All applicants will be required to complete a computer-based test (CASPerTM) as part of the selection process. There is a fee to the student for taking this test.
The program has two fields: Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy (SCP) and Public Faith and Spirituality (PFS). Both fields provide students with extensive skills in research. Further to this, the SCP field prepares students for careers in psychotherapy or spiritual care, while the PFS field allows students to explore areas of interest in preparation for either further graduate studies or leadership within faith based organization.
The MA degree program normally involves two years of full-time studies or its equivalent in part-time studies. Each student is required to complete satisfactorily 16 half-credit courses or their equivalent.
For the Public Faith and Spirituality field, students take 7 required core courses and 9 theology electives.
Students will take:
- TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
Two of the following:
- TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
- TH530D - Introduction to Discipleship and Ethics
- TH663N - Counselling and Spirituality in a Multifaith Society
Hebrew Scriptures focus
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures
- One of the following:
Survey of Abrahamic Faiths focus:
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
- TH664I - Qualitative Research
- TH680A - Literature-based Research in Public Faith and Spirituality
- TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction
Students, in consultation with their advisor, may also pursue a major research paper (TH698* - Major Research Paper in Theology) or the thesis option (TH699 - Thesis in Theology), which reduces their nine electives to seven (with the major research paper) or five (with the thesis).
For the Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field, students take 14 required courses and 2 counselling elective courses.
Sacred Scriptures: take 2 of
TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
TH503F - Survey of Sources in Asian Wisdom Traditions
Theology
TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
2 of the following:
TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
TH663N - Counselling and Spirituality in a Multifaith Society
Counselling Theory: take 1 of
TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
TH663Z - Theory of Change
TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
TH663E - Individual Theories
Human Development:
TH663V - Human Development (required)
Take all of the following:
TH663Y - Assessment
TH664H - Professional Studies and Ethics
TH664I - Qualitative Research
TH664L - Pre-Practicum
TH664M* - Practicum (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy)
Take 1 of the following counselling theory courses:
TH663C - Cognitive and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
TH663E - Individual Theories
TH663I - Family of Origin
TH663K - Group Process and Leadership
TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
TH663P - Peace Within, Peace Between, Peace Among
TH663S - Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy
TH663W - Couple Therapy: Intervention from an Emotionally Focused Perspective
TH663Z - Theory of Change
TH664A - Introduction to Art Therapy
TH664D - Post-Modern Family Therapy
TH664J - Contextual Issues in Couple and Family Therapy
TH664N - Counselling and Recovery in Addictions
TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
TH664P - Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
Electives:
Take 2 elective counselling courses (can include any of the other courses listed above not taken as a required course)
TH663A - Grief
TH663D - The Aging Process
TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics
TH663L - Gender in Couple and Family Therapy
TH663O - Child Development And Therapeutic Theories in Practice
TH663Q - Play Therapy from a Holistic Perspective
TH663T - The Healing Process for Children
TH663U - Unique Healing Alternatives For Adolescents
TH663X - Understanding Addiction and Shame
TH664B - Islamic Spirituality (Sufism) and Psychotherapy
TH664P - Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
TH664T - Trauma and Theodicy
TH761G - Therapeutic Relationships
Total 16 courses
