The Master of Divinity is a three-year academic program (30 credits) intended primarily for persons training for ordained ministry. The program is designed as a process of theological, personal, and vocational formation, together with the development of professional competencies. It is intended to assist those who want to grow in their understanding of God and in knowledge of themselves. The College supports the church in its processes of vocational discernment, but ordination and employment in the church rests with the ecclesial authorities.
Students are encouraged to take the entire program on a full-time basis (four to five courses a term in the fall and spring for three years, plus one or two courses in each of the two intervening summers). It is possible to begin studies on a part time basis or by taking online courses. A total of ten credits can come from online courses. The Master of Divinity program must be completed in no more than eight years. A minimum of three consecutive semesters must be devoted to full-time studies. The degree is awarded conjointly with the University of Toronto.
Christian Classics
Formation in the M.Div. program includes familiarity with the major voices of the Christian past. As we delve into the great tradition of theology we understand who we are today as Church, and we can think creatively about new challenges in our lives. So we have embedded a number of classic texts in the required courses of the program. In the process of studying toward an M.Div., students will work their way through a number of great works of our Christian heritage. Authors like Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Luther, and Hooker will be intellectual companions in preparation for ministry. For further details please see here.
Honours Program
M.Div. students who have attained an A- average in their first year may opt for the Honours track for the remainder of their program. These students will be required to take a biblical language course and write a research paper. In the Spring term of the second year a special colloquium will be held which will include an original group research project.
Master of Divinity - Special Status
A limited number of spaces may be available in the M. Div. program for students who have not completed an undergraduate degree, but who have completed the equivalent of one year of university undergraduate courses with at least a B- (70%) average and have the written endorsement of a bishop in the Anglican Communion. Please contact the Admissions Office for more details at 416-946-3547.
After completing ten Master's level courses at Wycliffe College/Toronto School of Theology, students in this 'Special' category may apply to enter the Master of Divinity program. Admission will be granted by special faculty decision. All credits earned are rolled over into the M. Div. program. The program requirements are the same as those for the regular stream of the Master of Divinity program, and the degree is awarded conjointly with the University of Toronto.
Students may also consider combining their Wycliffe M.Div. degree with a Diploma in Spiritual Direction from Regis College concurrently.
Regis College, a member of the Toronto School of theology offers this twelve credit diploma as an intellectual and practical preparation for the ministry of spiritual direction and has an emphasis on supervised praxis.
Application to the program is through Regis College by completing the D.S.D.application package -see www.regiscollege.ca
A total of thirty five credits is normally required for both programs instead of forty two credits if done sequentially.