master of theology

The following are Primary Educational Goals for this degree: An advanced understanding of a focussed area or discipline in the context of general theological study, capacity to use research methods and resources in the discipline, and the ability to formulate productive questions.

The Master of Theology (MTh) degree program is designed for people who desire to follow disciplines in an academic and theological program on a part-time basis while continuing their regular vocational duties. This program intends to advance a candidate’s academic competency in Theology beyond the Master of Divinity (MDiv) or MTS Degree. This program is open to people from any faith tradition.

The MTh Program assumes considerable flexibility. Each candidate is expected to plan, in consultation with the Program Chair and/or the Dean or assigned Faculty Advisor, a program of study suited to individual needs and interests. A great variety of courses and configurations are open for consideration: one week intensives or semester long; classroom or independent study; individual and group projects; theological and secular. All course work is elective on the basis that the candidate already has a first degree in theology covering the essentials to the discipline of theology.

Candidates may enroll in one of two streams:

Stream One - MTh (with Thesis)	Consists of advanced graduate level course work geared towards the thesis. A GPA of 70% must be maintained. This MTh is designed as a professional academic qualification but also as a precursor to PhD/ThD studies. Therefore considerable weight is placed on the academic rigour of the thesis component of the program in terms of content and style.
Stream Two - MTh (without Thesis)	Consists of an advanced graduate level course based degree only. A GPA of 70% must be maintained.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Sciences or Education, followed by a first degree in Theology (MDiv or equivalent), both from recognized universities, with a Grade Average minimum of 72% - see Admissions Policy.

2. Candidates may be accepted with an MTS on an exploratory basis only and with the possibility of demonstrating appropriate equivalencies to the MDiv or the focus of study.

In exceptional cases, such as a candidate whose background in mixed Arts and Theology led to a first degree in Theology only (eg. BTh), admission may be on an exploratory basis. Candidates wishing to be so admitted shall satisfy the Program Chair and/or Dean that they have attained Master of Divinity level competencies in the theoretical and practical bases of ministry. In addition to the other regular requirements for admission, these competencies may be demonstrated in the following ways, at the Program Coordinator and/or Dean’s discretion:

1. Successful completion of prescribed courses (minimum of two post-graduate theological courses and possibly additional arts courses to make up for deficiencies).

2. Three major papers – two of 20 pages and one of at least 40 pages – as well as bibliographies on approved topics in Biblical Studies, Theology and Church History.

Upon admission, students are expected to attend the St Stephen’s College Orientation Day.

Application Deadline: February 1

Program Description and Application (MS Word)

MTh PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

30 Credits
Equivalent to one year of full time study. Work should be completed within four years.

Courses will be taken at St Stephen’s College or a variety of approved institutions. In all cases candidates shall enroll in a course only with their Advisor’s consent.

MTh (with Thesis)

CORE COURSES (24 credits)
Eight 3-credit elective courses

COLLEGIUM (0 credit, co-requisite)
MTh Program Collegium

THESIS (6 credits)
Thesis: 25,000-37,500 words (100-150 double-spaced pages)

MTh (without Thesis)

CORE COURSES (30 credits)
Ten 3-credit elective courses
One of the elective courses may be replaced by a Major Integrative Paper in Theology; assessed for content and integration by the MTh Program Chair and/or Dean.

COLLEGIUM (0 credit, co-requisite)
MTh Program Collegium

A maximum of three courses, (9 credits), taken prior to admission, may be considered for transfer credit, on the condition they were not applied towards a prior degree.

Program Description and Application (MS Word)