The Master of Theological Studies program is intended for lay men and women who are communicant members of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada interested in enriching their understanding and knowledge of the Christian Church’s doctrine, history, discipline, and moral teachings. The program of studies is similar to but distinct from the Master of Divinity program offered by the College to candidates for ordination in the Diocese.
The academic program leading to a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) consists of a systematic undertaking of theological courses, together with a major paper, exposing the student to the fundamentals of Christian theology, doctrine and history. The program of academic studies is designed to be undertaken at the student’s pace and successful completion of each course is based upon mastery of the course content and not on any specified time frame or residency requirement. While there is no specific prerequisite for admission to the Master of Theological Studies program, the applicant will be expected to demonstrate an ability to undertake the course work and requirements at an appropriate level of scholarship and literacy.
The first component of the Master of Theological Studies program will introduce the student to the basics of Holy Scripture, Church History, Christian Philosophy, Christian Doctrine, Moral Theology and Apologetics. The second component of theological studies will provide the student with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Christian doctrine, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (with particular emphasis on the Pentateuch and Prophets, the Synoptic Gospels, John and Revelation, and the Pauline and Catholic Epistles), Christian Spirituality, Patristics, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, and Historical Anglican Theology and Liturgy. The third component of the student’s theological studies consists of the research and writing of a major paper in an area of theological interest to the student under the supervision of one or more members of the Faculty. Upon successful completion of the required course work and the presentation and defense of the major paper, the student will be granted a Master of Theological Studies.
Students will undertake their course of studies by means of tutorials, lectures, directed readings, video lectures, submission of papers, and periodic examinations. The instructors will outline the expectations and requirements for successful completion of each course based upon the curriculum and criteria established by the Board of Regents and administered by the Dean of the College. The length (number of hours of lecture, tutorials, study, etc.) will vary depending upon the nature and scope of each course; the sequence and timing of the courses will be determined in consultation with the student, faculty, and the Dean of the College. The student will be responsible for setting his or her own schedule (subject to the instructors’ requirements and the course schedules), for completing the directed readings, viewing the videos, attending the tutorials, submitting the papers, and meeting the deadlines assigned by the instructor(s). A formal examination or comprehensive paper will be required in each course to determine whether the student has completed the requirements and mastered the course content.
The third component comprises the research, writing, submission and defense of a major paper (of not less than 50 pages) in an area of theological interest to the student. The area of research must first be approved by the Dean of the College, and the paper written under the supervision of one or more members of the Faculty as assigned by the Dean. The student will be expected to submit and defend his or her theological paper before a committee of the College Faculty appointed for that purpose by the Dean.
Last Updated August 16, 2006