Programs: Advanced Master's
Admission Requirements and Process for Advanced Master's Degrees

All applications for admission to advanced degree programs are processed by the Advanced Degree Office of the TST at 47 Queen's Park Cres. East, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C3 (E-mail: tstadv.degree @ utoronto.ca). Students admitted to advanced degree programs are registered both in the TST and in one of the member schools of the TST. Thus applicants ought to indicate in their application the member school in which they seek to register. In addition, applicants are advised to contact the Director of Advanced Degree Studies at their selected school of registration, preferably before the application deadline, in order to receive information about financial aid and other aspects of the school’s resources and requirements for advanced degree students.

Applicants who wish to apply for financial aid must do so directly through the member school to which they are applying. Applicants who wish to ensure consideration by a member school of their request for an entrance scholarship or other forms of financial assistance must make sure that their application, letters of reference (at least two), and all supporting documentation be received by the application deadlines. Early application is recommended.

Application Deadline and Form

Applications for all Advanced Degree programs may be made as early as November 1st with a deadline of January 15th. Late applications will be considered until March 31st if space permits. The online application form is available here.

Note: TST does not consider applications requesting entrance into its programs at the mid-point of the academic year (January).

General Admissions and Application Requirements

Note: Program-specific requirements appear in the next section of this page.

• A fee of $100 payable by a cheque drawn from a Canadian or US account made out to the “Toronto School of Theology” or by money order.
• A statement of between one hundred and five hundred words outlining what is desired academically of the program.
• Evidence of facility in English is required for applicants whose first language is not English. This evidence may be either (a) graduation with an Arts degree from a University where the language of instruction and examination is English or (b) a satisfactory score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The score required for students who take the computer-based test is 250. For those who take the internet-based test, a total score of 100 is required, with a minimum of 22 on the writing section and a 22 on the speaking section. A score of 600, with a 5.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE) is the minimum requirement for those who take the paper-based TOEFL.To request a registration package for TOEFL and TWE examinations, please write to: TOEFL/TWE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A. 08541-6151 or telephone (609)951-1100 (or use the hyperlinks indicated here). The TST institution code 0655 and the department code 99 should be used. The TOEFL Bulletin of Information and Registration Forms can be obtained in a number of cities outside the U.S. through American embassies or consulates, or offices of the U.S. Information Services (USIS).
• Official transcripts and two letters of academic reference, which are to be sent directly to the Director for Advanced Degree Programs, Toronto School of Theology. Transcripts or references issued to students or photocopies will not be accepted. TST does not provide a letter of reference form but asks that referees write a letter in which they comment candidly on the candidates' qualifications to pursue and complete graduate studies.
• GRE scores (optional). Applicants may submit GRE scores to support their applications.

A confirmation fee may be requested by the TST College of registration within a month of acceptance into an advanced degree program.

Candidates' applications will be considered by the Admissions Committee of the TST Advanced Degree Council, which will take into consideration:

• grades in all previous post-secondary education, with particular weight accorded to performance in the prerequisite degree(s) and in other recent programs,
• adequate background in the stated area of interest,
• the quality of the applicant, as attested to in the letters of reference,
• the quality of the statement of academic purpose and interest,
• the current availability of qualified supervision for course and thesis work in the applicant's desired area of research,
• the willingness of a TST member school and of a TST department to admit the student, and
• the likelihood of satisfactory completion of the program.

Candidates may request reconsideration of a decision by the TST to refuse admission. All such requests must be made by the applicant in writing to the TST Director for Advanced Degree Programs, stating in full the grounds for the request.

Applicants may be admitted as special students:

• Category one students are admitted on probation fora period of up to one year. If their work is satisfactory, they will receive credit retroactively.
• Category two students are required to do prescribed preparatory work which will not be credited towards the requirements of a subsequent Advanced Degree program.
• Category three students are occasional students who are allowed to take courses for credit, but these courses will not count towards any TST degree.
• Category four students are late applicants who are given provisional admission to a TST program until their application can be considered by the TST admissions committee.
• Category four students are occasional students accepted without stipulation as to the eligibility of their credits towards a subsequent Advanced Degree program

• Also consult the Advanced Degree Handbook for in-depth information on program requirements

Program-Specific Minimum Requirements for Admission

The following are minimum requirements for admission for the Master of Theology (ThM) and Master of Arts (MA) programs. It should be noted that meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission to any TST program. In-depth information on program requirements can be found in the Advanced Master's Degree Handbook.

Master of Theology (ThM)

1. A degree in Arts, or its equivalent, from a recognized college or university, or evidence of having completed equivalent studies under a different educational system.
   
2. A degree of Master of Divinity or an academic master's degree in theological studies providing equivalent theological background (e.g., Master of Theological Studies, Master of Religion, Master of Arts in Theology of at least two years' duration), with at least a high second-class standing (i.e., B+) from a recognized institution.
   
3. Language requirements:

Option I

1. At the time of registration ThM candidates will be required to demonstrate competence (normally by passing a written examination) in one of the following languages: Hebrew, Greek, Latin (ancient languages); French, German, Italian, Spanish (modern languages). In addition, students in all departments may be required to know other language(s) needed for the writing of their theses.
   
2. Students must demonstrate competence in a second language by the beginning of the second year of their program or before presentation of the thesis proposal, whichever is earlier. If the first language requirement is fulfilled with a modern language, the second one must be fulfilled with an ancient language, and vice-versa.
   
3. For the ThM in the Biblical Department, proficiency in one biblical language is required, together with competence in the other on entrance, and competence in one modern language must be shown by the beginning of the second year in the program or before presentation of the thesis proposal, whichever is earlier.

Option II

Language requirements for Option II are in accordance with what is appropriate to the area of specialization.

Master of Arts (MA)

1. A degree in Arts with at least second-class (B+) standing from a recognized college or university.
   
2. Language requirements: MA students need not have a research language at the time of entering the program, but must gain research competency in one ancient language (Hebrew, Greek or Latin) or one modern language (French, German, Italian or Spanish) before proceeding to the thesis stage of the program. Please refer to the Handbook for language requirements particular to the Biblical Department.
   

• Consult the Advanced Master's Degree Handbook for in-depth information on program requirements
• Apply Online for admission to an Advanced Master's Degree program here