Applying to the Certificate in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy (SCP) Program

The SCP Certificate is offered by Emmanuel College and Knox College as part of the Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) program. The certificate is designed to enable students to apply for membership in professional organizations, typically for vocations as spiritual care therapists in hospitals, correctional institutions, churches, family therapy practices, private practices, counselling services, palliative care hospices, schools, developmental disability facilities, or the military.

Eligibility:  In order to be eligible to apply for the SCP Certificate you must be registered in the Master of Pastoral Studies, Spiritual Care Stream at Emmanuel College, or the Master of Pastoral Studies, spiritual care focus at Knox College AND have successfully completed a minimum of five credits in the MPS program (excluding transfer credits). Students are strongly encouraged to apply to be admitted to the SCP Certificate in their first year of study. Students who have completed the required credits for the MPS are not eligible to be admitted to the certificate.

Seats in the certificate program are limited and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

MPS SCP Certificate Handbook

Application Deadline

Certificate in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy (SCP) Program

  • Applications for Fall 2024 admission will open in February 2024 

How to Apply:  Applications for the SCP Certificate program are submitted directly to TST through an online application process, which is open each year, February - April, for admission to the following Fall semester. Follow the steps below to apply online.

  • Offers of admission are subject to meeting all admission requirements, suitability for the program and the availability of program space and placements.
  • Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission to the certificate program.
  • All required application materials (see Step 1 below) must be received by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered for admission. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Application to the SCP Certificate program is made by completing the online form, paying the application fee, and submitting the required documents. 
  • No deferrals of admission will be granted. Applications for entrance into the certificate at the mid-point of the academic year (January) will not be considered.
  • All materials submitted to the Admissions Committee may be used in the assessment of an application. Application materials will be destroyed as per TST's document retention policy.

Refer to the MPS SCP Program Handbook for detailed program and admission information.

IMPORTANT: 

Please ensure that you have all of the following information prepared and available to you prior to starting the online application form. The online application form has to be completed in one sitting, i.e. it cannot be saved and returned to at a later time. You are required to upload PDF documents with your application as part of the application process. Please only complete one online application.

Application Fee

$32 (CAD).  The non-refundable fee is payable by PayPal. Please see Non-Tuition Fees & Payment Methods for more information.

Personal Statement

This statement, between 500-750 words, outlines your academic interests and purposes - this is your autobiographical narrative, your statement of interest and why you are interested in taking the certificate. You will upload your Personal Statement as a PDF document at the end of the online application form.

Spiritual Care Identity Description

This description, between 500-750 words, describes your spiritual care identity and your spiritual maturation over time. You will upload your Spiritual Care Identity Description as a PDF document at the end of the online application form.

Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE)

Submit proof of successful completion, current registration, or expected registration in SPE. You will upload a PDF document at the end of the online application form. Only one document should be uploaded for this category. This can be demonstrated by:

  • registration/completion of approved SPE course(s) shown on your academic history, OR
  • a copy of an acceptance letter from an SPE unit stating that you have been accepted to study at a TST approved centre (this should indicate the start and end dates, as well as the teaching location), OR
  • a statement in your Personal Statement that you have applied for SPE, but are awaiting confirmation of placement.
Transcripts/Academic History

You must send your unofficial transcript (e.g. scans, copies, or academic history which you have downloaded from ACORN) showing your registration, and if available, the cumulative GPA for the minimum of your first five courses (5 X 0.5 FCE). If admitted, the CGPA will be verified by TST. The CGPA is that which shows on ACORN, no other calculation will be used. Most students up load their Academic History from ACORN. Please ensure that the document shows your name and the entire academic history as shown on ACORN including any previous programs you have taken. The document must clearly show your name and your student number. You will upload a PDF document at the end of the online application form. Only one document should be uploaded for this category.

Additional Information

As part of the online application you will asked to list relevant:

  • qualifications and/or certifications you hold, including the name of the issuing body and the year of completion; 
  • current memberships in professional organizations; and 
  • current and previous work or volunteer experience in spiritual care, ministry, social service, therapy, or community service, including the name of the organization, position, and dates.                                

Please ensure that you have read the information carefully above (Start Here and Step 1) prior to starting your application, and make note of the application deadline noted at the top of this page.

Online Application Available Here in February 2024

Can TST confirm that my materials have been received?  
We will confirm receipt of your application form. If you have reason to believe that any other application materials may not have been received by TST, you may contact us at admissions@tst.edu. During busier times of the year, however, especially September, January and early April, response times may exceed a week. We therefore strongly encourage you to submit all application materials well in advance of the deadline.

I have applied for Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE); PCE or CPE, but have not received an offer. Can I still apply?  
You should indicate in your Personal Statement that you have applied to SPE or CPE, and include the dates and location of the unit to which you have applied.

If I do not receive an offer of admission am I automatically considered for next year?   
No. You will need to apply again next year.

I have been declined admission to the certificate program. Can I appeal the decision?   
No. However, an applicant may request the reconsideration of a decision by the Admissions Committee. Such a request must be made by the applicant in writing to the TST Registrar (diane.henson@utoronto.ca) in a letter emailed or delivered within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving the decision communication from TST. The request must state, in full, the grounds for the request. The Admissions Committee will consider the request and make a determination at its next meeting. Decisions made by the Admissions Committee concerning admission and related matters are not subject to appeal.

I have completed my online application form, but I couldn't attach my ACORN academic history and/or SPE Evidence.  
You may email the documents in PDF format to gcts.office@utoronto.ca.  Please include "SCP Application Supporting Documents" and your name in the subject line of the email.