Master of Arts in Theology
The Master of Arts (MA) in Theology is designed for students interested in a faith-based, graduate-level approach to spiritual care and psychotherapy, academic work in theology, and/or professional development related to theology.
There are two fields to this program:
Public Faith and Spirituality
The Public Faith and Spirituality field offers a flexible and wide-ranging program of study that includes sacred texts, systematic theology, historical theology, ethics and practical theology. Graduates of this field of study may be able to pursue further academic work or a career or vocation in theology.
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 field of study may be able to pursue professional accreditation with external accrediting bodies once both academic and other criteria required by the accrediting bodies are completed. The Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field is accredited by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. 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 organizations.
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.
PUBLIC FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
Students take 9 required core courses and 7 theology electives.
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Required Courses Two of the following: |
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| One of the following clusters: |
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TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures One of: TH503C - Survey of the New Testament TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation) |
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TH503C - Survey of the New Testament TH503D - Themes of the New Testament One of: TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation) |
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TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures TH503C - Survey of the New Testament TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation) |
| Research Courses One of: TH664I - Qualitative Research TH680A - Literature-based Research in Public Faith and Spirituality TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction |
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Seven electives selected in consultation with the Student Advisor In consultation with their Program Advisor, students may also pursue a major research project (TH698*) or the thesis option (TH699 - Thesis in Theology), which reduces their seven electives to five (with the major research project) or three (with the thesis). |
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SPIRITUAL CARE AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
Students take 14 required courses and 2 counselling elective courses.
| Sacred Scriptures Take two: TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures TH503C - Survey of the New Testament TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation) |
| Theology/Wisdom Traditions Take all of: TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection TH644A - Indigenous Wisdom and Methodologies TH645A - Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives And one of: TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community TH503F - Survey of Sources in Asian Wisdom Traditions |
| Counselling Theory Take one: TH663M - Family Therapy Overview TH663Z - Theory of Change TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy |
| Take all of: TH663V - Human Development TH663Y - Assessment TH664H - Professional Studies and Ethics TH664L - Pre-Practicum And one of TH664M* - Practicum (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy) or TH652A* - Supervised Pastoral Education: SPE I (both 1.0 credit) |
| Counselling Theory Take one: TH560B - Introduction to Spiritual Care TH663C - Cognitive and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy TH663E - Individual Theories TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics TH663I - Family of Origin TH663K - Group Process and Leadership TH663L - Clinical Applications of Queer Theory: Working with LGBTQQIP2SAA TH663M - Family Therapy Overview TH663O - Therapeutic Modalities for Working with Children TH663P - Peace Within, Peace Between, Peace Among TH663R - Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Therapy 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 TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy |
| Counselling Electives Take two (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 TH663U - Unique Healing Alternatives For Adolescents TH663X - Addiction, Mental Health and Spirituality: Clinical Approaches TH664B - Islamic Spirituality (Sufism) and Psychotherapy TH664I - Qualitative Research TH664P - Mindfulness and Psychotherapy TH664T - Trauma and Theodicy TH761G - Therapeutic Relationships |
TOTAL 16 COURSES
