Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
The Master of Theological Studies at St. Stephen’s College invites students to encounter diverse faith traditions and cultures in ways that enrich their person and deepen their social engagement. The core courses are oriented toward cross-cultural and inter-religious experiences, personal and intellectual formation, and development in community leadership. Dedicated study tracks allow students to specialize in ways that deepen their spiritual understanding and/or focus on one of several vocational fields. The MTS can be taken as either a 42-credit course-based degree or a 48-credit thesis-based honours degree.
MTS Learning Objectives
Students who complete the Master of Theological Studies will:
- Demonstrate a growing capacity to honour and engage differences in individuals, communities, and social issues
- Have an increased capacity for spiritual and theological reflection
- Be able to articulate how leadership engages diverse faith commitments
- Have demonstrated a capacity for critical thought and cogent communication
MTS Specializations
Faith and Culture SpecializationThe MTS in Faith and Culture is an academic degree that is open to students across denominations and faith-traditions. Designed for students who wish to deepen their appreciation of the diverse expressions of human spiritual awareness in our society, this degree combines the study of religious traditions as well as contemporary developments. Students who desire a challenging program of self-enrichment, wish to augment their professional practice with a greater understanding of the human spirit, or prepare to pursue further doctoral studies in theology, will be drawn to this stream.
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Spiritual Care SpecializationThe Spiritual Care Specialization is an academic-professional degree that equips students with the foundational skills and aptitudes needed for a variety of spiritual care or chaplaincy contexts (such as healthcare, prisons, the military, postsecondary, business and corporations, inner-city/street organizations, and civil services such as city, police, fire). Curriculum in this specialization is designed to equip students in four areas of competency: (a) skills for professional spiritual care practice, (b) disciplines for self-knowledge and selfcare, (c) leadership skills, and (d) the ability to engage in spiritual care across lines of diversity and difference. This specialization has been developed through a partnership of St. Stephen’s College with four other theological colleges in the Province of Alberta: Ambrose Seminary (Calgary), Taylor College and Seminary (Edmonton), Newman Theological College (Edmonton), and Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary and College (Cochrane).
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Length of Program
Students taking a full course load can complete the MTS in three years. Many students take four or five years to complete the degree. Students must complete all requirements within seven years from the date on which they register in the program. Extensions beyond the seventh year are considered in exceptional circumstances (see Program Extensions policy).
General Program Information
| MTS Core Courses (15 Credits) | |
| Collegium (enrolled for three years) | 0 |
| Introduction to Theology: Wisdom and Interreligious Theology (SSC511) | 3 |
| Diversity in Faith and Culture (SSC547) | 3 |
| Great Scriptures and Stories (TBD) | 3 |
| Leadership: Power, Privilege, and Allyship (TBD) | 3 |
| Writing Course (TBD) | 3 |
| Specialization Courses (21 Credits) | |
| Hebrew Scriptures (SSC501), or approved substitute | 3 |
| Christian Scriptures (SSC505), or approved substitute | 3 |
| Sacred History (SSC521), or approved substitute | 3 |
| Spirituality: Contemplation to Action (SSC5540) | 3 |
| Intersectional Theology (SSC5154) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Final Writing Project (6 or 12 credits) | |
| Academic Skills (TBD) | 3 |
| Culminating Paper or Thesis | 3 or 9 |
| MTS Core Courses (15 Credits) | |
| Collegium (enrolled for three years) | 0 |
| Introduction to Theology: Wisdom and Interreligious Theology (SSC511) | 3 |
| Diversity in Faith and Culture (SSC547) | 3 |
| Great Scriptures and Stories (TBD) | 3 |
| Leadership: Power, Privilege, and Allyship (TBD) | 3 |
| Writing Course (TBD) | 3 |
| Specialization Courses (21 Credits) | |
| Theological Reflection in Professional Practice (SSC589 at SSC), or Foundations of Spiritual Care (SC501 at Ambrose) |
3 |
| Professional Ethics in Psychotherapy & Spiritual Care (PPSYC583 at SSC), or Professional Ethics (SC625 at Ambrose) , or Bioethics: Moral Issues from Life Sciences (STP576 at Newman) |
3 |
| Leadership & Leadership Formation (LE503 at Ambrose) , or Spiritual Leadership (2P3231 at CSBSC) |
3 |
| Supervised Pastoral Education (CPE5889 at SSC) , or approved Field Placement from list below |
3 |
| Supervised Pastoral Education (CPE5889 at SSC) , or approved Elective from list below |
3 |
| Spiritual Care Elective from list below | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Final Writing Project (6 or 12 credits) | |
| Academic Skills (TBD) | 3 |
| Culminating Paper or Thesis | 3 or 9 |
- Baccalaureate Degree from an institution of higher education approved by a Canadian provincial authority, or the demonstrated educational equivalent. Grade average minimum must be 72%/B/3.0 during last 60 credits of course weight.
- Readiness to function in an integrative adult learning program in terms of both personal qualities and academic competencies.
- Willingness to engage in a program that is broadly ecumenical and multifaith; readiness to engage deeply in personal reflection; commitment to the practice of a spiritual life.
Application Deadline: February 1 for Canadian and Permanent Resident applicants. November 1 for international applicants and applicants applying for a Baccalaureate equivalency review (equivalency fee $225); if equivalency is granted, applicants then pay the normal application fee.
**Note: Prospective students applying for admission in 2021 should note that the Master of Theological Studies degree was approved in principle at the September 2020 meeting of the St. Stephen’s College Senate and will receive final approval at the February 2021 Senate meeting. The delay in receiving final approval is due to the pandemic.