DISTANCE LEARNING
Welcome to our Distance Learning program!
If you live at a distance from Toronto and would like to get a head start on your theological education, then our distance learning may be for you.
We offer three online courses every semester including the summer months (May to August). We have flexible start times in September, January, or April/May. Courses in the Fall and Winter are the same length as on-site courses. Those in the Summer terms (May to August) are 8 weeks in duration.There are usually no specified class times which makes online learning attractive to students looking to combine work, family and study.
Courses are a combination of required and elective courses, reflect the range of theological disciplines, and are taught by our regular and adjunct faculty. Our online courses typically include readings, class notes, video, audio, discussion forums, and online submission of assignments. Generally, enrollment in our online courses is limited to around 20 students and priority is given to those student outside the GTA.
Flexibility of Course Offerings
Wycliffe seeks to offer flexibility and optionality in its course offerings in order to accommodate student needs. For those not interested in completing a degree fully online, other learning options are available. These include combining online learning with select onsite classes. In addition, there are the one-week intensive courses offered in April-May or late August. Also, in certain cases, it is possible through video and audio conferencing to be part of an onsite class while being at a distance. In the M.Div. program, up to a year or more of required courses can be taken online prior to coming to Toronto for a year of residence. Finally, as an occasional student you can simply take a course that interests you.
Master of Theological Studies Entirely Online
As of Fall 2014 it is possible to take the MTS degree entirely online. We offer the choice of three courses at a time, year round including the summer term from May to August. Where possible, offerings will be a mixture of required and elective courses, as well as a variety of choices in theology, bible, pastoral, and historical. In order to plan your program of study see the schedule of courses for 2015-17 listed below.
Courses Developed
The following courses are now developed and will be offered regularly:
- History of Christianity I (to AD 843)
- History of Evangelical Spirituality
- New Testament I and II
- Christian Healing
- Old Testament I and II
- Anglican Theology
- Cultural Evangelism
- Christian Ethics
- History of Mission and Development
- Psalms
- Christ Among the Religions
- Systematic Theology I and II
- Grace and Salvation in the Reformers
- Teaching the Faith
- Introduction to Missional Theology
- Basics of Preaching
Courses for 2015-16
Fall 2015
WYB1009HF Inroduction to OTII (A. Witt)
WYT2101HF The Bride and the Lamb: Systematic Theology II (M. Michielin)
WYT2121HF Introduction to Evangelical Theology (L Scruggs)
For syllabuses, see here.
Winter 2016
WYB1008HS Introduction to OTI (A. Witt)
WYT1105HS Teaching the Faith (D. Ney)
WYT1601HS Ecumenism: (S.Sharman)
Courses for 2014-17
For a list of courses planned for 2014-17 please see here.
Students at a distance may also consider accessing classes remotely using webinar technology. Courses are indicated in the schedule however there is limited remote space for each class. Please contact the Registrar's Office to register interest or for information about the courses that are available.
Admissions
If you have not already been admitted to Wycliffe College, then you need to complete an application form available here. Students already admitted in regular programs do not have to register again to take an online course. You will already be in your courses by virtue of your registration in ROSI. However, you do need to create a UTORid in order to access the courses. To do so, see below.
If you are an occasional student and just want to take a course, then you will first have to apply for admission. Go here for the application forms. Once you have been admitted and registered, then follow the instructions below about creating a UTORid.
Students need to be registered in one of the schools of the Toronto School of Theology. Maximum registration for online courses is normally about 20 persons.
Auditors
We will allow auditors in our online courses once students taking a course for credit are accommodated. Auditors may have to be placed on a waiting list.
Not a Wycliffe Student (or a TST Student)?
If you are not a TST college student and would like to take any of these courses, applications for study at the Basic Degree level are available on our website. You may also call or e-mail the Admissions Office for more information (416-946-3547416-946-3547; admissions@wycliffe.utoronto.ca).
Fees
Fees for online courses are the same as for regular courses.
How to log in to your Wycliffe courses
After you have been admitted and have registered, there are two simple steps to accessing your courses. First, you will need a UTORid and password. If you are in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) then you must go to the T-Card Office of the University of Toronto located at the the Koffler Centre at 214 College Street, and request your T-Card from which your UTORid can be created. Create your UTORid here If you are confused about your UTORid or don't remember your password, go here.
If you live beyond the GTA, then you need to contact the Registrar's Office of Wycliffe College (registrar@wycliffe.utoronto.ca), or 416-946-3530416-946-3530). Second, once you have your UTORid and password, go to the portal containing the courses. There you will see the different courses you are registered for. Click on the relevant course link and follow the announcement instructions. Bookmark the course link.
You may find it helpful in advance to review computer hardware and browser requirements, and how to navigate the features of the online courses. Information on both follows.
Computer Hardware and Browser Requirements
Make sure that your computer has all the requirements to view the courses you are enrolled in. See here for the checklist of requirements.
Finding Your Way around the Online Courses
Finding out about how to navigate around the online courses is easy. Go here for information on course navigation, communication tools, discussion board, assignment submission, and other useful information.
See here for accessing Blackboard, how-to video tutorials (under Students: Learning About Blackboard), and troubleshooting.
Blackboard Mobile Learn App
This app allows you to receive course notifications and updates to course content from their mobile device. The app can be used with both wireless and cellular networks. Not only can you view updates to the course, the Dashboard feature gives you the latest information on all of your courses and organizations in one spot! More information here.
Textbooks
Some courses will prescribe textbooks. These can be acquired from CRUX Bookstore at Wycliffe College, which can be contacted toll free, 1-866-607-3348. Do not leave it to the last minute to request the bookstore. Acquire your textbooks well in advance of the course starting. If you join the course within two weeks of its starting and live at a distance from Toronto, the bookstore cannot be expected to fulfill your request for delivery of a textbook in a timely way.
Contact
Admission: wycliffe.admissions@utoronto.ca or 416-946-3547416-946-3547.
Registration: wycliffe.registrar@utoronto.ca or 416-946-3530416-946-3530 or 416-946-3525416-946-3525.
Distance Learning issues: thomas.power@wycliffe.utoronto.ca or 416-946-3526416-946-3526.
UTORid: help.desk@utoronto.ca 416-978-HELP416-978-HELP
Blackboard: portal.help@utoronto.ca
