Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity 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 (CASPer^TM)as part of the selection process. There is a fee to the student for taking this test. 

The MDiv program involves taking the equivalent of 24 half-credit courses, including the mandatory completion of one unit of Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE). Students in the contextual option must also complete an Internship as a part of the equivalent of 24 courses taken. Students who complete a major portion of their MDiv program through part-time studies prior to becoming full-time students may find that scheduling conflicts can develop which would lengthen their total program.

Students admitted to the Master of Divinity program must indicate, in their first term of study, whether they are participating in the contextual or coursework option.

Supervised Pastoral Education: The SPE course is taken either as an intensive, 12-week course, during the spring/summer after the first or second academic year, or as a part-time, extended unit, over the course of the Fall and Winter Terms of the second year. Students who can demonstrate an equivalency of this requirement may apply to Academic Advisory Committee for the waiver of the SPE requirement.

Contextual Option:
Students in the contextual option are normally preparing for professional ministry. It is the responsibility of the student to determine the endorsement requirements of their faith tradition.

Contextual Education: Students enrolled in the contextual option are required to be involved in field placements concurrent with their coursework. Placements are arranged through the supervisor of contextual education. 

Internship: Students in the contextual option must complete an internship that is both normally 12 months long and taken after the second year.

Coursework Option:

Students in the coursework option are either already working in a ministerial setting or are preparing for non-congregational ministry. This option includes three additional half-credit electives (in place of the Internship and TH665I - Entry into the Parish for those in the contextual option), allowing students to focus coursework in areas of particular interest.

Students will take the following core courses (the equivalent of 19 half-credits):
TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction
TH502B - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Advanced
TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
TH503G - Jewish and Christian Bible Themes
TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
TH560A - Introduction to Worship
TH560C - Introduction to Proclamation and Preaching
TH560E - Spiritual Formation and Nurturing Faith A
TH560F - Spiritual Formation and Nurturing Faith B
TH621E - Issues in Church History: Study of the Lutheran Confessions
TH644A - Indigenous Wisdom and Methodologies
TH645A - Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives
TH652A* - Supervised Pastoral Education I: Theory and Practice of Spiritual Care
TH663A - Grief
TH664H - Professional Studies and Ethics

In addition to the core courses, students will take:

• 2 half-credit electives chosen in consultation with the MDiv Program Advisor
• 3 half-credit courses or their equivalent in either the contextual option or coursework option as follows:
• Contextual Option: TH681* - Internship, TH665I - Entry into the Parish. Students enrolled in the contextual option are required to be involved in field placements concurrent with their contextual coursework (TH560E, TH560F, TH560A, TH560C). Placements are arranged through the supervisor of contextual education.
• Coursework Option: 3 additional half-credit electives chosen in consultation with the MDiv Program Advisor.