Diaconal Ministry (MTS/BTS)
St. Stephen's College and the Centre for Christian Studies in Winnipeg have collaborated to offer academic-professional programs of study in diaconal ministry leading to either a Master of Theological Studies in Diaconal Ministry or a Bachelor of Theological Studies in Diaconal Ministry degree, granted under the charter of St. Stephen's College. This degree will be conferred after completing the Centre for Christian Studies Diploma in Diaconal Ministries, and the additional requirements of St. Stephen's College. A Diploma in Diaconal Ministry from CCS prepares students for a ministry of education, service, and pastoral care in the United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada. The additional work at St. Stephen's College enhances the academic requirements to meet the standards of a BTS or MTS degree.
Who is the MTS/BTS in Diaconal Ministry for?
This program is for students who have taken a minimum of 6 academic courses at St. Stephen's College as part of the fulfilment of the requirements for their Diploma in Diaconal Ministries. Those who meet those requirements may pursue a Bachelor of Theological Studies in Diaconal Ministry or a Master of Theological Studies in Diaconal Ministry by fulfilling extra academic requirements in the form of the completion of an Integrative Theology Paper.What Can Students Expect?
Students augmenting their Diploma in Diaconal Ministry with additional work at St. Stephen's College will already be familiar with the college environment. They will be offered personalized guidance through the final steps of learning and writing by members of the college's Faculty. The additional work can usually be completed within one year of study.
We offer:
- Dynamic, experienced, and accessible faculty who are committed and supportive.
- Flexibility to develop personalized areas of interest.
- A diverse, engaged student community.
- Individual mentoring.
Length of Program
Students taking a full course load can complete the MTS/BTS-Diaconal in four-and-a-half years (this includes concurrent enrolment in the four-year Diploma in Diaconal Ministries offered at the Centre for Christian Studies in Winnipeg, plus a half-year of guided research at St. Stephen's College). Most students complete the degree in five to six years. Students must complete all requirements within seven years from the date on which they register in the program.
| Learning completed at CCS (granted equivalency credit at SSC): | Credits |
| 12 Theme Learning Circles, Diaconal Praxis Years, Global Perspectives Experience, 3 Integrating Circles | Equivalent to 21 credits |
| Course Work Completed at SSC: | |
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Six of the following eight courses must be taken at St. Stephen's College: Intro Christian Scriptures, Christian Scriptures: Theme/Focus, Intro Hebrew Scriptures, Hebrew Scriptures: Theme/Focus, Intro Theology, Theology: Theme/Focus, Church History, Intro Ethics. |
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| Final Writing/Research Project at SSC (after completing CCS Diploma): | |
| Integrative Theology Paper: 40-60 pages, at the graduate level. A project of guided research founded upon personal reflection and integration designed to demonstrate the researchers ability to correlate learning from a variety of disciplines and integrate theological and personal meaning within a ministry setting. | 6 |
| Learning completed at CCS (granted equivalency credit at SSC): | Credits |
| 12 Theme Learning Circles, Diaconal Praxis Years, Global Perspectives Experience, 3 Integrating Circles | Equivalent to 60 credits |
| Course Work Completed at SSC: | |
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Eight required courses: Intro Christian Scriptures, Christian Scriptures: Theme/Focus, Intro Hebrew Scriptures, Hebrew Scriptures: Theme/Focus, Intro Theology, Theology: Theme/Focus, Church History, Intro Ethics. *[Six of these courses must be taken at St. Stephen's College; the remaining two may be taken at SSC or a recognized/approved theological school.] |
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| Final Writing/Research Project at SSC (after completing CCS Diploma): | |
| Integrative Theology Paper: 40-60 pages, at the undergraduate level. A project of guided research founded upon personal reflection and integration designed to demonstrate the researchers ability to correlate learning from a variety of disciplines and integrate theological and personal meaning within a ministry setting. | 6 |
BTS-Diaconal Admission Requirements
- Diploma in Diaconal Ministries from Centre for Christian Studies or current enrolment in that program.
- General readiness to function in an integrative theological program in terms of both personal qualities and academic competencies.
- Commitment to one's lay profession or employment (paid or volunteer) as a ministry.
- Willingness to engage in a program that is grounded in the Christian faith but is also broadly ecumenical and multifaith.
- Language Requirements: All applicants must be proficient in English prior to admission. Proficiency is demonstrated by either (a) possession of a prior diploma or degree where the primary language of instruction was English, (b) demonstration of sufficient coursework completed in English, or (c) a satisfactory score on an approved English language examination (either TOEFL iBT, IELTS, CAEL, or PTE Academic). For full details, see the “English Language Proficiency” section of the St. Stephen’s College Academic Calendar.
Application Deadline:
CCS students must apply to the program no later than after they have taken three open studies courses at St. Stephen's College.
MTS-Diaconal Admission Requirements
- 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.
- Diploma in Diaconal Ministries from CCS, or current enrolment in that program.
- General readiness to function in an integrative theological program in terms of both personal qualities and academic competencies.
- Commitment to one's lay profession or employment (paid or volunteer) as a ministry.
- Willingness to engage in a program that is grounded in the Christian faith but is also broadly ecumenical and multifaith.
- Language Requirements: All applicants must be proficient in English prior to admission. Proficiency is demonstrated by either (a) possession of a prior diploma or degree where the primary language of instruction was English, (b) demonstration of sufficient coursework completed in English, or (c) a satisfactory score on an approved English language examination (either TOEFL iBT, IELTS, CAEL, or PTE Academic). For full details, see the “English Language Proficiency” section of the St. Stephen’s College Academic Calendar.
Application Deadline:
CCS students must apply to the program no later than after they have taken three open studies courses at St. Stephen's College.
**Note: The MTS and BTS in Diaconal Ministry degrees are conferred by St. Stephen's College, not by the University of Alberta. For more information, see our About Graduate Studies at SSC and Institutional Charter pages.