Master of Theological Studies

Overview of the program

The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) provides a firm foundation in the discipline of theology, integrating faith, practice, reason, and culture. The program combines grounding in scripture and tradition with open engagement with pressing contemporary challenges, including practicing respectful dialogue with Indigenous communities, responding to a climate in crisis, reconciling broken human relationships, and social justice.

Ecumenical - While Saint Paul University is rooted in the Catholic tradition, students from all backgrounds are welcome to explore the breadth of the Christian tradition.
Flexible - Focus on your areas of interest. Study part-time or full-time.
Interdisciplinary - The study of theology draws on history, philosophy, ethics, and the social sciences, as well as other disciplines. Other faculties and schools at Saint Paul University provide opportunities for additional learning in counselling, transformative leadership, conflict studies, and more.
Bilingual - While the program is not fully available in French, students may take several courses in French and all written assignments may be done in either English or French

This is a second entry undergraduate degree in theology that prepares students for graduate studies.

Admission details

Registration: full-time or part-time
Program length: 4 terms (2 years, full-time)
Program delivery: some courses are also offered online.
Language: this program is currently only offered in English.

For information about admission deadlines, please click here.

Scholarships

Students registered in this program may be eligible for a number of scholarships. For more information, please click here.

This degree is conferred jointly by the Senates of Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa.

Academic regulations.

ANDRAOS Michel, Dean (On Sabbatical Leave until January 2024)
BLÉE Fabrice, Associate Professor (on leave until 2024)
DIONNE Christian, Interim Dean & Director of Graduate Studies
E. CLIFFORD Catherine, Full Professor
ERIC HEFTY Karl, Associate Professor
MARKWELL Hazel, Associate Professor
SLATTER Mark, Associate Professor
SMITH Sheila, Assistant Professor
SPATAFORA M.S.F. Andrea, Associate Professor

Admission Requirements

Baccalaureate with a minimum average of 70% or B;
Evidence of ability to succeed in a post-baccalaureate program of study attested through two academic letters of reference from professors familiar with the applicant’s previous academic work.

Compulsory Courses (27 units)

THO2189 Can We Talk About God? An Introduction to Theology
THO3123 Early Christianity
THO3160 Introduction to the Old Testament
THO3161 Introduction to the New Testament
THO3162 Revelation and Christian Faith
THO3165 The Church and Salvation
THO3166 The Good Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics
THO3168 Christian Prayer and Spiritual Life
THO3169 Liturgy and Experience: An Introduction to Christian Worship

Optional Courses (15 units)

3 Units from each category:

(a) Foundations for Dialogue with People of Other Faiths
MIS2108 Theory and Praxis of Interreligious Dialogue
THO2410 World Religions
THO4204 Christianity and Religious Plurality

(b) Contextual Issues in Church and Theology
THO3172 Faith and Contemporary Culture
THO4124 Feminist Perspectives in Theology
THO4202 World Christianity
THO4203 Christianity in a Secular Age

6 units from:

(a) Divine Self-Disclosure: The Foundation of Christian Hope
THO3163 The Christian God
THO3164 Jesus in the New Testament
THO4125 Christology

Elective Courses (18 units)

Students may choose elective courses from among those offered within the basic degree programs in theology. With the approval of the Faculty of Theology, they may also choose from among course offerings in Human Sciences (Philosophy, Conflict Studies, Social Communication, etc.) in order to pursue a theological theme from an interdisciplinary perspective. Those anticipating further theological studies in advanced degree programs are urged to consider the study of Latin, biblical Greek or biblical Hebrew in order to study texts in their original language.

MIS 2108 - Theory and Praxis of Interreligious Dialogue

Dialogue as co-constitution of humans thanks to religious faith. Prerequisites and challenges involved in interreligious dialogue: in-depth dimension of faith; necessity of self-criticism; hermeneutic of religious convictions. Orthodoxy and orthopraxis. Harmony, conflict and end of religions.

THO 2189 - Can we talk about God? An Introduction to Theology

An exploration of the origins of Theology as a discipline, of significant moments in its historical development, of its presuppositions, methods, and the basic questions it seeks to answer.

THO 3160 - Introduction to the Old Testament

An introduction to the writings of the Old Testament through the study of the Pentateuch and Historical Books, with particular attention to their historical and cultural context

THO 3161 - Introduction to the New Testament

An introduction to the study of the New Testament through a critical study of the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke. Attention to the cultural and religious context of the New Testament and history of the formation of the Gospels; contemporary methods of biblical interpretation.

THO 3162 - Revelation and Christian Faith

A Christian theology of revelation: Creation as a locus for revelation; reflection on how God has spoken in the history of Israel; fulfillment of revelation in Jesus Christ; impact of divine self-disclosure in shaping early Christian communities; faith as a human response to divine self-disclosure; implications for understanding the inspiration of Sacred Scripture and the meaning of Tradition; Christian revelation and other world religions.

THO 3164 - Jesus in the New Testament

Understanding Jesus of Nazareth, his identity, message and mission. Jesus the Messiah, Saviour, Lord, High Priest, son of Mary and Son of God. Theological interpretations of his death, resurrection and exaltation.

THO 3166 - The Good Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics

An introduction to the field of ethics within theology. Historical development of ethical approaches within theology. Constitutive elements of moral existence. Moral existence and Christian faith.

THO 3167 - Early Christianity: The First Five Centuries (0 – 600 CE)

Exploring the relationship between history and theology, methodologies of historical research. Survey of the historical evolution of Christianity from its beginnings to the end of the fifth century, with attention to early Christological debates.

THO 3168 - Christian Prayer and Spiritual Life

Exploring the nature of Christian spirituality, its definition, foundation, diverse expressions; major periods and movements of Christian spirituality; the importance of spirituality for theological reflection and personal integration.

THO 3169 - Liturgy and Experience: An Introduction to Christian Worship

Exploring the dimensions of human experience in terms of the common prayer of the Christian community through a consideration of sacred time, space, symbols, language and music; Jewish origins of Christian worship; the history of the Western liturgy. The structure and dynamics of the eucharistic liturgy, the liturgy of the hours, the liturgical year, and inculturation.

THO 3172 - Faith and Contemporary Culture

An exploration of the dialogical stance of the Christian churches, at once learning from the riches of contemporary culture and sent in service to the human community. Challenges to the enculturation of the gospel. Contextualization of theologies to reflect the lives of particular communities.

THO 4124 - Feminist Perspectives in Theology

An introduction to feminist perspectives and methods of interpretation and their application to the study of the Christian tradition. The contributions of major feminist theologians; issues in contemporary debate.

Prerequisite: THO 3166.

THO 4125 - Christology

Exploring the systematic understanding of the person of Christ in two natures; the development of Christological dogmas in the early Church; history of christological teachings; modern Christologies; Christ and contemporary culture.

THO 4140 - Theological Synthesis

The interrelationship and convergence of various divisions of theology. Critical considerations concerning theological method.

Prerequisite: 30 cr. theology.

THO 4202 - World Christianity

A historical exploration of the emergence of Christianity as a worldwide faith with an emphasis on the modern period. The changing face of Christianity, with attention to the changing demographics diverse "families" of churches and the developments in differing geographic regions.

THO 4203 - Christianity in a Secular Age

Christian faith in a world of religious pluralism; church and state; freedom of religion; differing approaches to the secularity and secularism. Dialogue between faith and science, faith and atheism.

THO 4204 - Christianity and Religious Plurality

Exploring theological approaches to the fact of religious pluralism. Historical perspectives on the question of salvation outside the church; Catholic teaching and commitment to dialogue with other faiths; exclusivist, inclusivist and pluralist approaches.

THO 4204 - Christianity and Religious Plurality

THO 4207 - Summative Exercise

The summative exercise may take the form of a research paper, approximately 40 pages in length, or a creative or community-based project accompanied by a written introduction and annotated bibliography. The summative exercise will be evaluated by both the supervisor, who must be from the student's research field, and another professor from the Faculty of Theology.

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