Master of Arts in Theology / Master of Divinity

The combined MA/MDiv degree program will integrate the curricula of both the MA and MDiv programs in such a way that a student can fulfill the program requirements in three years (9 consecutive terms), or equivalent part-time study, and graduate with a double degree. This program is particularly valuable for those who are preparing for chaplaincy or congregational ministry and who desire a strong theological foundation to augment the coursework necessary 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. This program is also of value to those who desire to augment their MDiv degree with a MA, so as to better prepare for further academic studies or bi-vocational ministry.  

Additional Information
 
Admission Requirements

The MA/MDiv program commences in September annually. Applicants are assessed on the basis of the application materials submitted (including official transcripts, references, writing sample and 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 and admission into the MA/MDiv program.

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.

 
Program Requirements

The MA/MDiv degree program normally involves three years of full-time studies or its equivalent in part-time studies. Each student is required to complete a minimum of 28 half-credit courses or their equivalent, which entails the equivalent of 19 half-credit core MDiv courses and 9 additional courses, either in the MDiv contextual option or coursework option, and either in the MA field of Public Faith and Spirituality, or the MA field of Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy.    

MDiv Course Requirements for the double degree:

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
TH652A* - Supervised Pastoral Education I: Theory and Practice of Spiritual Care, or (for SCP field only) TH664M* - Practicum (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy) (both 1.0 credit)
TH621E - Issues in Church History: Study of the Lutheran Confessions
TH644A - Indigenous Wisdom and Methodologies
TH645A - Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives
TH663A - Grief
TH664H - Professional Studies and Ethics

In addition, students will take course requirements for the contextual option or coursework option, as outlined for each field below.

MA Course Requirements for the double degree: Public Faith and Spirituality field

In addition to the required core MDiv courses outlined above, students in the Public Faith and Spirituality field take:

  • 2 half-credit electives chosen in consultation with the MDiv Program Advisor, and
  • 7 additional half-credit courses (or their equivalent), either within the MDiv contextual option or coursework option as follows:
For the Contextual Option: students in the Public Faith and Spirituality field will complete

  • TH681* - Internship
  • TH665I - Entry into the Parish and
  • four half-credit electives selected in consultation with the Program Advisor for the Public Faith and Spirituality field.

For the Coursework Option, students in the Public Faith and Spirituality field will complete

  • 7 electives selected in consultation with the Program Advisor for the Public Faith and Spirituality field.

The following options are available only in consultation with the Program Advisors:

  • TH698* - Major Research Project in Theology (for the Contextual Option, 2 electives remain; for the Coursework Option, 5 electives remain)
  • TH699 - Thesis in Theology (for the Contextual Option, no electives remain; for the Coursework Option, 3 electives remain)

MA Course Requirements for the double degree: Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field 

In addition to required core MDiv courses outlined above and in consultation with their Program Advisor for Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, students in the Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field must choose 6 MA courses as well as the equivalent of 3 additional half-credit courses (in either the contextual or coursework option) as outlined below.

Students choose 6 courses in the field of Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy in the following areas (note: the following MDiv required courses also serve to fulfill requirements for this field of study: TH663A, TH664H, and TH652A* or TH664M*), 

Counselling Theory:
Take 1:

  • TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
  • TH663Z - Theory of Change 
  • TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy

Take all of the following:

Counselling Theory:
Take 1:

  • 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 1 (can include any of the other courses listed above not taken as a required course):

  • TH663D - The Aging Process
  • TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics
  • TH663L - Clinical Applications of Queer Theory: Working with LGBTQQIP2SAA
  • 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 

For the contextual option, students in the Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field will also complete the following:

For the coursework option, students in the spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field will also complete:

  • 2 electives chosen in consultation with the MDiv Program Advisor, and 1 open elective course.

Contextual Option:
The contextual option for students in the double degree program is for students who are preparing for professional ministry and whose judicatories require more extensive contextual placements than the coursework option. It is the responsibility of the student to determine the endorsement requirements of their faith tradition.

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.