Welcome to Wycliffe College

Wycliffe College participates in the advanced degree programs administered by the Toronto School of Theology. Full descriptions and specific requirements of these programs are set out on the Toronto School of Theology website.

Academic Doctoral Programs

The Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) program trains persons in advanced specialized research and prepares them for post-secondary teaching. The degree is conferred conjointly by Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program has the same purpose as the Th.D. program, and has exactly the same admissions and program requirements. The degree is conferred by the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto.Both programs require one or more years of coursework (depending on the department of study), comprehensive examinations, and a major research thesis of not more than 80,000 words. Further information is available at the TST website.

Since these two programs are the same, there is no strictly educational reason for preferring one over the other. Many initially choose the Th.D. program because, for reasons involving government funding, its fees are lower. Some students make their choice of program on the basis of the nomenclature (Th.D. or Ph.D.) which they prefer; some make their choice on the basis of the institution(s) conferring the degree. Transferring from the Th.D. to the Ph.D. or vice versa is a simple formality.

Professional Doctoral Program

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program assists students in developing a critical and comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of ministry. It is taken by persons who are currently engaged in the practice of ordained or lay ministry; the specialized research which they undertake during the program usually relates to their particular ministry base. The degree is conferred conjointly by Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto. Further information is available at the TST website.

Master’s Programs

The Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree is a second theological master’s degree; a basic theological degree is prerequisite to entrance. It is designed to deepen students’ knowledge of theology and to prepare them further for advanced research or pastoral ministry. It can be taken entirely on a part-time basis, and is ideal for continuing education. Students can choose one of two options for the Th.M. Option 1 requires six courses, knowledge of two research languages, and a thesis of at least 12,500 words; option 2 requires eight courses with an extended paper (related to one of the courses taken) of 8000 words. The former option should be chosen by students intending doctoral study. The degree is conferred conjointly by Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto. Further information is available at the TST website.

The Master of Arts in theology (M.A.) degree is a first master’s program in theology, even though it is classified at TST and administered as an advanced degree. It fosters graduate-level competence in several areas of theological study and specialized knowledge of a topic chosen for a thesis. Program requirements include eight courses taken a year of full-time residency plus six elective courses taken subsequently, knowledge of a foreign research language (students in the Biblical department need more languages), and a thesis of at least 12,500 words. The M.A. is conferred by the University of St. Michael’s College. Further information is available at the TST website.

Wycliffe’s Advanced Degree Community

AD programs are administered by the Toronto School of Theology, but the TST itself is a federating institution and has no students. To enter a program, students choose a participating college in which to register. Each college seeks to support its AD students with opportunities for fellowship, worship, financial aid, and teaching assistantships. Wycliffe will be particularly attractive to those who will feel at home in an evangelical Anglican community with the faith commitments, the love of learning, and the zeal for research characteristic of the best of the sixteenth-century theological renaissance that is called the Reformation.

All TST resources are open to all TST AD students on an equal basis, regardless of their college of registration. They may use any of the libraries, and they may seek instructors for reading courses and a supervisor for their thesis at any of the colleges.

Wycliffe has a substantial AD enrolment, which in 2007 included about fifty students pursuing academic doctorates, plus another thirty students distributed among the Th.M., M.A., or D.Min. programs. A student community of this size is ideal: it's small enough to be personal and friendly, and large enough to support good conversation and a rich theological life together. Students are diverse in respect of age, gender, race, mother language, academic interests, and denominational affiliation.

The Wycliffe Advanced Degree Students' Association maintains a website/blog that can be accessed at the following link: http://wadsa.wordpress.com/.

Wycliffe AD students enjoy membership in the Senior Common Room, located on the main floor of the building, offering easy chairs, refrigerator, telephone, magazine subscriptions, and an adjacent washroom. The Wycliffe Advanced Degree Students Association sponsors various social events during the year, including guest speakers, a dinner for students and spouses, special lunches, and theological discussions and colloquia. Locker space is available for AD students at the Graham Library.

Please browse the Wycliffe College website for information about such College resources and activities as residence accommodation, worship services, social and recreational facilities, “toonie lunches”, community programs, retreats, and athletic organizations.

Wycliffe’s Role in Advanced Degree Studies

1. For a doctoral student, the chair of the program supervisory committee will normally be a Wycliffe professor. The adviser for Th.M. and M.A. students will be Wycliffe’s director of advanced degree studies.

2. Wycliffe AD students are eligible to apply for financial assistance from the College.

3. Wycliffe attempts to provide AD students with opportunities to develop their teaching skills and to gain experience in a variety of teaching situations. Each year, the College awards a number of teaching assistantships for courses in its basic degree program. In addition, the College invites some students to serve as instructors for the College’s Diploma in Lay Ministry courses. Usually the College’s introductory course in New Testament Greek is taught by an AD student. The College is in contact with other regional theological institutions which on occasion request a recommendation for an AD student to teach a course. AD students may also be asked to teach short-term adult study classes in local churches.

Applications

Applicants for admission to an AD program at Wycliffe submit two application forms, one at the TST and one at Wycliffe College.

The TST application form is available online. Applicants must complete the information form, submit a statement of academic interest, and provide for academic transcripts and reference letters to be sent. An application fee is also required.

The Wycliffe College application form is available online. The form required by Wycliffe College requests additional information regarding the applicant’s personal background and Christian experience and convictions. It is intended to help the College assess their sympathy with the educational goals and ethos of Wycliffe College. The name of a non-academic referee, preferably a church leader, is also requested. There is no application fee. The form may be submitted on-line, or a paper copy may be requested, and returned by mail. Applicants using a paper form must also complete the University’s Student Information Form. A photograph is invited though not required. N.B. Current students and recent graduates of Wycliffe College do not need to submit a Wycliffe College application form.

The deadline for applications to the Th.D., Ph.D., Th.M. and M.A. programs is January 15 (for admission in the following September), except that late applications will be received until March 31, and will be considered if space permits. The deadline for applications for the D.Min. program is November 15.

Applicants are enrolled at Wycliffe only after they have been admitted by both the admissions committee of the TST Advanced Degree Council and by the College, as well as by the department concerned.

Further Information

Authoritative detailed information is available at the TST website. Enquiries about the D.Min. program should be directed to the Director of D.Min. Studies at TST. Enquiries about the Th.D., Ph.D., Th.M., and M.A. programs should be directed to Wycliffe’s director of advanced degree studies, Professor Ephraim Radner. Questions about studies in specific areas may be addressed to the faculty member involved. The TST director of advanced degree studies is Professor Terence Donaldson.