Programs: Basic Master's
Admissions and Program Requirements for Basic Master's Degrees

The following minimal admission requirements apply to all conjoint Basic Master's Degree programs:

1. Admission to the study of theology in the TST shall be without regard to race, ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, but without prejudice to the ministerial and professional nature of Basic Degree programs.
2. Applicants to the TST must hold an appropriate bachelor's degree with adequate standing from a college or university which is an ordinary member of the Association of Colleges and Universities of Canada or which is accredited by one of the regional associations in the U.S.A; or, if they studied elsewhere, credentials judged equivalent to the above professional nature of Basic Degree programs.
3. Applicants may be required to pass a TOEFL examination to demonstrate English language ability, normally by writing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Admission to a basic degree program requires the following scores: paper-based - overall 580 and T.W.E. 5; computer-based - overall 237 and essay writing 5. (The TST institution code 0655 and the department code 99 should be used.)
4. Students transferring to the TST who have received/completed credits for post-baccalaureate work in theology completed elsewhere within an eight year period prior to initial registration in TST may receive transfer credits applicable to their basic degree at the TST. For transfer credits to be awarded from a school in the United States or Canada, that school normally ought to be accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Transfer credits from institutions outside the United States and Canada will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
5. If a degree has not been conferred for credited work done elsewhere, the number of transfer credits will be limited by the requirement that transfer students take a minimum of 10 semester credits within the TST, with a minimal one year residency requirement. If a degree from an acceptable post-baccalaureate theological program elsewhere has been conferred on a transfer student, a maximum of one year of credit (10 semester courses) towards a four-year combined degree program may be granted.
6. Member schools may add to or further specify these requirements.
7. In all matters relating to these minimal standards for admission, the final arbiter will be the Admissions and Procedures Committee of the Basic Degree Council, with possibility of appeal to the Council itself.

Courses

The bulletin or calendar of each member school indicates which courses a student must take in order to fulfil the requirements of specific degrees as offered by that school. All courses, including those listed as required by individual schools, are open to all students of the TST, subject to enrolment limitations approved by the department. For required courses in a given school, it is understood that priority may be given to the students of the school in question.

All courses meet two hours once each week, and require additional work outside the classroom. There may be additional required tutorials for introductory courses. Each semester course is equivalent to three credit hours at the post-baccalaureate level.

Other courses are available to basic degree students within the TST. Under certain conditions they may register for courses in many departments of the University of Toronto. The concentration of many educational and pastoral facilities in Toronto and its environs makes possible offerings in related areas of study and training. Among these facilities are included the Toronto Institute for Pastoral Education, the Canadian Urban Training Centre, the Addiction Research Foundation. In addition courses at Conrad Grebel University College, Institute for Christian Studies, and Waterloo Lutheran Seminary are open to TST students.

• Go here to see the TST course catalogue

Further Information

The above description is intended to provide a summary of basic degree policies and procedures. The full and official account of policies and procedures applicable to TST basic degree programs is to be found in the Basic Degree Handbook. This handbook offers details on all policy matters including grading, procedures which apply to course registration and to balloting for limited enrolment courses, and all other pertinent matters. The Handbook may be downloaded from the Basic Degree Handbook page.

• Go here to see the Basic Degree Handbook

Course fees are the same for all Basic Degree Students. Incidental fees are determined by the member schools, but normally there is little fee discrepancy between member schools. Fees are higher for visa students, i.e. those who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents. Fees will be set in conformity with government policy, when announced, and are available from the schools or the TST. Candidates are urged to consider carefully their capacity to finance their proposed program. Scholarship and bursary information is available through the registrar's office in the college of registration.

• Go to the Fees Section for further information.