master of
theological studies
Click here to view a Program Description and Application (PDF)
The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is a gateway program in the theological disciplines, broadly understood, which may be taken either as a stand-alone degree, or to lay the foundation for further, advanced theological study. One of the primary goals of the MTS program is to provide a flexible, yet structured, course of study for the adult learner who wishes to explore spiritual concepts and practices. It is designed to support the discernment of many paths to truth, theological world-views, and spiritual interpretations.
Research areas are as diverse as the student population. Learners are encouraged to integrate their life experience and vocation with their academic research. With the addition of a Work of Art thesis modality, visual art, music, theatre, and dance may become integral to the thesis process.
Primary educational goals for the MTS degree are the attainment of survey knowledge of core theological disciplines, along with a focused knowledge in a specific discipline, or in an interdisciplinary area. This theological degree is at the academic level of the MDiv, and is largely intended for lay persons who wish to integrate their faith responsibly with their vocational or avocational environment. This program is open to persons from any faith tradition who are self-reflectively committed to the improvement and nurturing of society, the earth and the world community.
Candidates may apply to any one of three streams:
MTS (Spiritual Care Specialization) |
Graduate-level theological studies which provide students a general introduction to theological scholarship, with a view to their own enrichment and/or to providing a theological context within which to articulate and exercise their own spirituality within the world. |
MTS |
General graduate-level studies within the theological disciplines with an intentional focus on Spiritual Care perspectives and practices, which, together, provide preparation for professional certification by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care/Association Canadienne de soins Spirituels (CASC/ACSS). |
MTS (Honours) |
A specialized and enriched study of theology as an academic discipline; this stream will be of interest to those preparing for further graduate study in the field. |
Courses will be selected in consultation with the Program Chair in accordance with the requirements of the stream selected.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Four-year Bachelor Degree or its equivalent from a recognized university (Grade Average minimum 72%-see Admissions Policy)
2. General readiness to function in an integrative theological program in terms of both personal qualities and academic competencies
3. Commitment to one's lay profession or employment (paid or volunteer) as a ministry
4. Willingness to engage in a program that is grounded in the Christian faith but is also broadly ecumenical and interfaith; readiness to engage deeply in personal reflection; commitment to the practice of the spiritual or liturgical life
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications can be submitted and processed throughout the year, with an annual application deadline of February 1.
APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, and ORIENTATION
Students are required to complete the application process which includes an interview. Upon invitation to the MTS program, students attend Orientation Day (normally in late April). The first core program intensive, Introduction to Theology, takes place Monday through Friday immediately following Orientation Day.
MTS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
(51 Credits)
Equivalent to two years of full-time study. Work should be complete within six years.
COLLEGIA (3 credits)
Three Program Collegia (1 credit each): Members of the MTS program share current research interests, and work together as peers on a chosen topic.
Thesis Proposal Collegium (0 credit requirement): a component of the thesis/integrative study process. MTS Students are invited to participate in additional Collegia (on a non-credit, no-fee basis) at any time.
CORE COURSES (24 credits)
SS071V Academic Writing (0cr) (online; first year)
SSC511 Introduction to Theology (3cr)
SSC513 Introduction to Ethics (3cr)
SSC571 Research Methods (online) (3cr)
Two courses (6cr) from Sacred Text category (eg. Hebrew Scriptures, Christian Scriptures, or course based on another Faith Tradition’s sacred texts)
Two courses (6cr) from Sacred History category (eg. Intro Church History, Women and Religion)
One additional course-Theology category (3cr)
Note: Students may take a course outside the specified category only with the Program Chair’s permission; final paper must be focused on the required element.
ELECTIVES (6 credits)
Two 3-credit elective courses in area of specialization.
PRACTICUM (3 credits)
One supervised practicum of 100-150 hours in duration with the focus on the project rather than the hours.
MINI-PROJECTS (9 credits)
Six 1.5-credit mini-projects
THESIS OR INTEGRATIVE STUDY (9 or 6 credits)
1. Thesis Option (9 credits): The Thesis is a formally written 100-150 page document based upon the student’s research of a stated question. The Thesis integrates an introduction, a thorough literature review, explication of methodology, data presentation and analysis, and a summary of findings, conclusions, and synthesis. If thesis option is chosen, either one elective course or two mini-projects are omitted from the program.
2. Integrative Study Option (6 credits): 60-100 pages).
Note: Students may choose a Work of Art modality for their thesis or integrative study. In this modality, the student will be required to choose an academic supervisor as well as an art supervisor appropriate to their selected medium. Samples of the student’s work will be submitted at the proposal stage in order to support the student’s claim of readiness to embark on such a project.
Options Equivalent to Credit in MTS Stream One:
One unit Clincal Pastoral Education (CPE) |
9 credits [equivalent to any combination of practicum, elective, and mini-project credits] |
Spiritual Direction Programs: Presence Formation Program (Providence Renewal Centre, Edmonton); Pacific Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction (Chalmers Institute, Vancouver); Prairie Jubilee Program for Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction (University of Winnipeg) |
9 credits [equivalent to any combination of practicum, elective, and mini-project credits] |
Lay Worship Leader Certificate Program (St Stephen’s College) |
6 credits [equivalent to 4 mini-projects] |
Lay Pastoral Minister in Training (LPMiT) Residential Program (United Theological College, Montreal) |
9 credits [equivalent to 6 mini-projects] |
Lay Pastoral Minister in Training (LPMiT) Educational Supervision (UTC, Montreal) |
3 credits [equivalent to practicum] |
Trauma Recovery Certificate (Taking Flight International, Edmonton) |
6 credits [equivalent to any combination of practicum, elective, and mini-project credits; 70 additional hours of mentorship required if using for practicum credit] |
Grief Support Certificate (Taking Flight International, Edmonton) |
3 credits [equivalent to elective] |
Equivalencies granted for work done prior to entry into program should be no older than 5 years. Acceptance of options equivalent to credit will be at the discretion of the Degree Program Chair.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
MTS (Spiritual Care Specialization)
(54 Credits)
Equivalent to three years of full-time study. Work should be completed within six years.
This specialization offers the masters level theological education needed for students working towards professional certification by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care/Association Canadienne de soins Spirituels (CASC/ACSS). Inherent in this specialized degree is the integration of academic knowledge and supervised clinical/field education experience.
COLLEGIA (3 credits)
Three Program Collegia (1 credit each): Members of the MTS program share current research
interests, and work together as peers on a chosen topic.
Thesis Proposal Collegium (0 credit requirement): a component of the thesis/integrative study process.
MTS Students are invited to participate in additional Collegia (on a non-credit, no-fee basis) at any time.
CORE COURSES (18 credits)
SS071V Academic Writing (0cr) (online; first year)
SSC511 Introduction to Theology (3cr)
PPSYC583 Professional Ethics for Pastoral Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care (3cr) (This course also fulfills a requirement for CASC/ACSS Certification.)
SSC571 Research Methods (online) (3cr)
Three Electives (9cr): two courses from Sacred Text category (eg. Hebrew Scriptures, Christian Scriptures, or course based on another Faith Tradition’s sacred texts), one course from Sacred History category (eg. Church History, Women and Religion, Special Topics in Diversity: Faith/Culture)
SPIRITUAL CARE SPECIALIZATION COURSES (24 credits)
The specialization courses are completed in keeping with one of three Options (see below) selected by the student in consultation with the Program Chair. All of the options require one basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). CPE training incorporates academic content by means of didactic seminars within the Units. Field Placement Education (FPE) options require the student to take specific courses in the same calendar year as their FPE.
Option 1:
First Basic CPE Unit (400 hours, 6cr) |
| Second Basic CPE Unit (400 hours, 6cr) |
| First Advanced CPE Unit (400 hours, 6cr) |
| Second Advanced CPE Unit (400 hours, 6cr) |
In lieu of academic courses required by Options 2 and 3, students choosing Option 1 will be required to provide a Learning Portfolio to the MTS Chair giving evidence of fulfilling CASC/ACSS competencies at basic and advanced learning levels – including samples of confidentially formatted clinical documents from each CPE unit, copies of CASC issued certificates of completion for each CPE unit, a copy of the CASC required letter from CPE Supervisor stating willingness to provide advanced level supervision, copies of professional competency papers required for CASC advanced CPE consultation (edited for confidentiality as may be appropriate), and a copy of notification by CASC Regional Admitting Chairperson indicating ratification to advanced standing.
Option 2:
Basic CPE Unit (400 hours, 6cr) |
| First FPE (400 hours, 6cr) plus: PPSYC584V Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy (3cr) SSC589 Theological Reflection in Professional Practice (3cr) |
| Second FPE (200 hours, 3cr) plus: INTD577 Spiritual Assessment in the Promotion of Health (3cr) |
Option 3:
Basic CPE Unit (400 hours, 6cr) |
| First FPE (400 hours, 6cr) plus: PPSYC584V Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy (3cr) SSC589 Theological Reflection in Professional Practice (3cr) |
| Second Advanced CPE Unit (400 hours, 6cr) |
THESIS (9 credits)
The Thesis is a formally written 100-150 page document based upon the student’s research of a stated question. The Thesis integrates an introduction, a thorough literature review, explication of methodology, data presentation and analysis, and a summary of findings, conclusions, and synthesis.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
MTS (HONOURS)
51 Credits
Equivalent to two years of full-time study. Work should be complete within six years.
COLLEGIA (3 credits)
Three Program Collegia (1 credit each): Members of the MTS program share current research interests, and work together as peers on a chosen topic. (MTS Honours students act as TA for one collegium)
Thesis Proposal Collegium (0 credit requirement): a component of the thesis study process.
MTS Students are invited to participate in additional Collegia (on a non-credit, no-fee basis) at any time.
CORE COURSES (24 credits)
SS071V Academic Writing (0cr) (online; first year)
SSC511 Introduction to Theology (3cr)
SSC513 Introduction to Ethics (3cr)
SSC571 Research Methods (online) (3cr)
Two courses (6cr) from Sacred Text category (eg. Hebrew Scriptures, Christian Scriptures, or course based on another Faith Tradition’s sacred texts)
Two courses (6cr) from Sacred History category (eg. Intro Church History, Women and Religion)
One additional course-Theology category (3cr)
Note: Students may take a course outside the specified category only with permission of Program Chair; final paper must be focused on the required element.
ELECTIVES (12 credits)
Four 3-credit elective courses in area of specialization.
PRACTICUM (3 credits)
One supervised practicum of 100-150 hours in duration with the focus on the project rather than the hours.
THESIS (9 credits)
The Thesis is a formally written 100-150 page document based upon the student’s research of a stated question. The Thesis integrates an introduction, a thorough literature review, explication of methodology, data presentation and analysis, and a summary of findings, conclusions, and synthesis.
Note: Students may choose a Work of Art modality for their thesis. In this modality, the student will be required to choose an academic supervisor as well as an art supervisor appropriate to their selected medium. Samples of the student’s work will be submitted at the proposal stage in order to support the student’s claim of readiness to embark on such a project.
