Basic Degree Programs

TST's seven member colleges offer several basic master's degrees in theology which provide students with an introduction to theological study as well as preparation for professional ministry. Basic degree programs are first theological degrees taught at the post-baccalaureate level.

The following degrees are conferred conjointly by a TST member college and the University of Toronto. Not all TST member colleges offer all degrees. Program overviews below note which colleges offer a particular degree program. The degrees listed below are in accordance with the categories and criteria of the Association for Theological Schools.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Specific information about a basic degree program and admission requirements should be sought from the member college offering the program, as each college sets its own unique curriculum for each program.
  • For more information on a particular degree program, contact the admissions staff of the member college offering the program, as noted in the program overviews below. If all TST member colleges offer the degree, contact the college(s) you are most interested in attending.

The Basic Degree Handbook outlines common policies and procedures for basic degrees offered by TST member colleges:

Basic Degree Handbook

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

The Master of Divinity program prepares students for ordained ministry and for responsibilities of general pastoral and religious leadership in congregations and other settings.

Individual colleges may stipulate individual course requirements or a minimum quota of courses, and may require up to two additional courses. Colleges may also require prerequisites, co-requisites and competency for ministry work outside of the degree program itself. The colleges evaluate a student’s readiness for ministry according to requirements, conditions, and norms prescribed by the individual college. 

The MDiv can be used as preparation for doctoral studies as long as the student has taken enough courses in the proposed area of study and (normally) has completed a thesis.

Member Colleges:  The MDiv is offered by all TST member colleges.

Length:  Minimum three years (30 courses) or equivalent units (15 credits), with a requirement of at least two terms of full-time study. Students may take longer to complete the program, but a minimum of two terms must be devoted to full-time study.

Program Delivery: The MDiv is offered as a hybrid or in-person program, depending on the college of registration. In-person delivery allows for students to take up to 33% of courses online, whereas the hybrid delivery option requires students to take at least 34%, but no more than 66%, of the coursework for the entire program online. As part of that coursework, students on the hybrid option will be able to complete their field education in ministry at sites outside of the Greater Toronto Area while under the supervision of professors at their home colleges, who will help them reflect on their field education experiences.

Combined Degrees:  It is possible to earn two basic degrees in a combined degree program with some credits being counted for both degrees. The combined programs are administered directly by the member colleges specified below. The following combined degree programs can be completed in four years:

How to Apply:  Applications are made directly to a member college. All TST member colleges offer the Master of Divinity program.

More Information:  For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the admissions staff of your college(s) of interest directly.

MDiv Learning Outcomes

Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

The Master of Theological Studies program provides students with a general introduction to theological scholarship, for their own enrichment or to establish a theological context within which to exercise their own ministry or apostolate. The MTS can also be used as preparation for doctoral studies.

The program may include areas of specialization, two streams are available:

Member Colleges:  The MTS program is offered by all TST member colleges, however the two specialization streams are only offered at select colleges (see above) and applications to the MTS program must be made to those colleges if that particular stream of study is desired.

Length:  Minimum two years (20 courses, including summative exercise); can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.

How to Apply:  Applications are made directly to a member college. All TST member colleges offer the Master of Theological Studies program, but students desiring a specific specialization stream (see above) apply to the college offering that stream.

More Information:  For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the admissions staff of your college(s) of interest directly.

MTS Learning Outcomes

Master of Psychospiritual Studies (MPS)*

The Master of Psychospiritual Studies (formerly Master of Pastoral Studies) program prepares students for competent leadership in specialized ministries including pastoral care ministries. Students in the MPS program are registered in a specific stream of the program from admission, and each stream has a distinct set of curricular requirements. The MPS is a professional and terminal degree, which means it does not directly lead towards doctoral studies.

Member Colleges Offering the MPS
  • Emmanuel College
  • Knox College
  • Regis College
  • University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology
  • University of Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity
Streams

Spiritual Care Stream* - offered at:

  • Emmanuel College
  • Knox College
  • Regis College
  • University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology
  • University of Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity

Foci within the Spiritual Care Stream

Offered at Emmanuel College:

  • Buddhist Studies Focus
  • Christian Studies Focus
  • Muslim Studies Focus
  • Interfaith Focus

Offered at Knox College:

  • Jewish Focus

 *Note: The MPS at Regis College, University of St. Michael’s College Faculty of Theology, and University of Trinity College Faculty of Divinity does not offer a pathway to a Category 2 SCP Certificate nor to the CRPO.

Social Service / Social Justice Ministries Stream
The content of the Social Service stream and the Social Justice Ministries stream is the same. Due to different denominational approaches, the names differ by college.

Social Service Stream - offered at:

  • Emmanuel College
  • Knox College

Social Justice Ministries Stream - offered at:

  • Regis College
  • University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology
  • University of Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity

Spiritual Direction Stream - offered at:

  • Regis College
  • University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology
  • University of Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity

Length:  Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Combined Degrees - MDiv / MPS:  It is possible to earn two basic degrees in a combined degree program with some credits being counted for both degrees. The combined MDiv / MPS program is administered by Emmanuel College and can be completed in four years.

How to Apply:  Applications are made directly to your college of choice offering the MPS. For a combined MDiv / MPS degree, apply directly to Emmanuel College.

More Information: For details about the program and the admissions process, contact your college of choice offering the MPS / MPS Stream you are interested in:

MPS Learning Outcomes

Certificate in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy (SCP)

This conjoint certificate, offered by Emmanuel College and Knox College as part of the Master of Psychospiritual Studies program, 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 Psychospiritual Studies, Spiritual Care Stream at Emmanuel College, or the Master of Psychospiritual Studies, Spiritual Care Focus at Knox College AND have successfully completed a minimum of five courses (5 X 0.5 FCEs) 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.

How to Apply:  Applications for the SCP Certificate program are submitted directly to TST through an online application process, which is open in late January each year for admission to the following Fall semester.

More Information and Online Application Form

MPS SCP Certificate Handbook

Interprofessional Education (IPE) through CACHE

This course is offered by the Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education (CACHE) and counts as a 0.5 FCE credit course as part of the MPS degree and runs across the Fall and Winter semesters. The IPE course supports students in developing collaborative team-based skills to practice effective spiritual care in healthcare settings. It enables students to build interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and relationships to work in the complex dynamics of multi-service healthcare contexts. Participation is strongly recommended for students seeking to serve in health care contexts.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible to request registration an IPE course you must be registered in the Master of Psychospiritual Studies (MPS) program at Emmanuel College or Knox College, be in good academic standing (CGPA of 2.7 or higher), have no indebtedness to the University of Toronto or to TST member colleges, AND have a minimum of two semesters of study remaining in the MPS program from the Fall semester. Seats in the IPE program are limited. Allocation of places is on a first-come-first-served basis for eligible students within the individual college quota.

How to Register: Registration is through ACORN (see Key Academic Dates for when Fall  Registration opens). The fee for the course is the standard Basic Degree Course Fee and the tuition fee must be paid prior to the Registration Deadline for the Fall as published in the Key Academic Dates. The regular refund schedule and last day to drop the course without academic penalty apply.

  • Note:  Students in the MPS at Emmanual College must register in section L0101; and students in the MPS at Knox College must register in section L0102

Master of Religious Education (MRE)

The Master of Religious Education program equips students for competent leadership in a variety of settings including educational ministry in congregations and other religious institutions.

Member Colleges:  The MRE program is offered by St. Augustine’s Seminary and the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology.

Length:  Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a part-time basis.

Combined Degrees - MDiv / MRE:  It is possible to earn two basic degrees in a combined degree program with some credits being counted for both degrees. The combined MDiv / MRE program is administered by University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology and can be completed in four years.

How to Apply:  Applications are made directly to either St. Augustine's Seminary or the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology. For a combined MDiv / MRE degree, apply directly to the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology.

More Information:  For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the admissions staff of St. Augustine's Seminary, erin.passmore@utoronto.ca, or the University of St. Michael’s College, Faculty of Theology, rsm.theology@utoronto.ca.

MRE Learning Outcomes

Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality (MAMS)

The Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality program prepares students for leadership in a specialized area of ministry such as pastoral ministry and spiritual direction.

Length:  Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Member Colleges:  The MAMS program is only offered by Regis College.

How to Apply:  Applications are made directly to Regis College. 

More Information:  For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the Regis College registrar's office directly, regis.registrar@utoronto.ca

MAMS Learning Outcomes

Master of Sacred Music (MSMus)

The Master of Sacred Music program provides graduate-level training in the art of sacred music. This program offers musical and theological depth, and will equip persons from any Christian tradition with the tools required to lead music for worship in congregations and other settings. Areas of specialty include organ, piano, composition, guitar, voice, and conducting.

Member Colleges:  The MSMus program is only offered by Emmanuel College.

Length:  Minimum two years (20 courses); can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

How to Apply:  Applications are made directly to Emmanuel College. 

More Information:  For details about the program and the admission process, please contact the Emmanuel College Admissions Counsellor directly, emmanuel.admissions@utoronto.ca

MSMus Learning Outcomes