By virtue of the federation of Saint Paul University with the University of Ottawa, the Faculty of Theology of Saint Paul University offers graduate programs leading to the degrees conferred jointly by the senates of both universities.
Other graduate theology programs within the sole jurisdiction of the Senate of Saint Paul University are also offered; their description and requirements can be found in the calendar of the Faculty of Theology.
The Faculty of Theology offers the following programs whose degrees are conferred jointly by the senates of the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University:
Master of Arts in Theology
Objectives
The MA program is intended for candidates who already have a good basic formation in Theology, with courses in various areas of Theology such as systematic theology, history, biblical studies, ethics and spirituality. It is designed to allow these students to gain greater familiarity with the various research methods in Theology, and to begin a specialization in a particular area, while promoting an integration of the theological formation already acquired. The program prepares students to teach at undergraduate level, to undertake doctoral studies in Theology, and to assume diverse leadership responsibilities in institutions or organizations requiring a formation in religious studies or theology.
Concentrations
Students register in one of the following concentrations:
Admission Requirements
Master of Pastoral Theology
Objectives
The Master of Pastoral Theology (MPTh) offers theological knowledge and professional pastoral education to students planning to engage in ministry after an undergraduate degree in theology. Its scope is to prepare the "general practitioner" for ministry.
The MPTh is a professional program. It consists of 30 credits of university-level courses.
Admission requirements
Some additional documents, and in some cases specific forms, are required. For more information, please see the page Step 4: Gather the documents needed for the assessment of your application.
Master of Arts with Major Research Paper
A) All concentrations with the exception of Eastern Christian Studies
The MA(Th) degree consists of 27 credits (7 courses and a research paper 6cr.).
Seven courses as follows:
Four Foundation courses:
1 course from the following:
1 course from the following:
1 course from the following:
1 course from the following:
One methodology course (THO6399 Methodologies in Theology, 3cr.)
Two courses to be chosen in consultation with the student’s research director (who will be from the student’s chosen concentration) and with the director of Graduate Studies from:
THO6998 Mémoire / Research Paper (6cr.)
Students are required by the end of the program to demonstrate competency in at least one modern or ancient language as required for research in their field. In the case of modern languages, students will be evaluated for reading and oral comprehension; in the case of ancient languages, students will be evaluated for reading comprehension only. (Anglophone students intending to apply for admission to the PhD program of the Faculty are encouraged to ensure that they have passive competency in French by the end of their MA program.)
B) Eastern Christian Studies
Consists of: 27 credits – 6 courses, synthesis exam (3cr.), research paper (6cr.)
Two foundation courses (6 credits) from:
One methodology course (THO6378 Resources and Methods for the Study of Eastern Christianity, 3cr.)
Two other courses (6 credits) from the following:
Or, from the following Foundational courses that have not been taken under (1) above:
One course from outside the concentration (3cr.)
THO6998 Mémoire / Research Paper (6cr.)
THO6997 Examen de synthèse de M.A. en christianisme oriental / MA Synthesis Examination in Eastern Christian Studies (3cr.)
Master of Arts with Thesis
The MA(Th) degree consists of 5 courses (15 credits) and a thesis.
A) All concentrations with the exception of Eastern Christian Studies
Five courses as follows:
Four Foundation courses:
1 course from the following:
1 course from the following:
1 course from the following:
1 course from the following:
One methodology course (THO6399 Methodologies in Theology, 3cr.)
THO7999 MA Thesis (cr.)
Students are required by the end of the program to demonstrate competency in at least one modern or ancient language as required for research in their field. In the case of modern languages, students will be evaluated for reading and oral comprehension; in the case of ancient languages, students will be evaluated for reading comprehension only. (Anglophone students intending to apply for admission to the PhD program of the Faculty are encouraged to ensure that they have passive competency in French by the end of their MA program of study.)
B) Eastern Christian Studies
The thesis option is not offered in this concentration.
Master of Pastoral Theology
The MPTh is a 30-credit program composed of the following elements:
Six academic courses (18 credits):
three foundational courses (9 credits):
two courses (6 credits) to be chosen from:
one elective (3 credits) to be chosen from:
Students may propose any course which they consider relevant to their particular future ministry. Given the present context of the Church, the following areas are particularly suggested: spiritual direction, basic counselling skills, ecumenical ministry, mission and new evangelization.
Two practicums (12 crédits):
Minimum Standards
The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits) must withdraw from the program.
Duration of the Program
Students are expected to fulfill all requirements within two years. The maximum time permitted is four years from the date of initial registration in the program.
Fast-track from MA to PhD program
Students enrolled in the MA program may be allowed to transfer to the PhD program without being required to write a master’s thesis provided they meet the following conditions:
The student must request permission to fast-track during the fourth session of registration or earlier and must register in the PhD in the fifth session at the latest. Following the transfer, all of the requirements of the doctoral program must be met.
Transfer from MA with thesis to MA with research paper
Students in either the MA (with thesis) or MA (with research paper) may transfer between the two options and qualify for the MA as long as all degree requirements are completed.
Interaction between theology and psychology with reference to pastoral ministry, the experience of the believer, the development of faith and of religious attitudes. The pastoral implications of psychological theories of the individual and his/her social relations: impact on cognitive processes, emotion, behaviour, competence, values. Psychological perspectives on the pastoral minister's practice, role and identity.
Interaction between theology and sociology with reference to pastoral ministry. A study of the pastoral implications of socio-historical structures, and of social and cultural change. Analysis of how the social milieu forms the way people think, feel and act, and the reflection on the importance of this formation for values and beliefs. Sociological perspectives on Christian communities' practice, role and identity.
The Christian community as a social reality embodying beliefs and values. Its relationship to and responsibility toward contemporary society and church: local, national, international. Present social questions and the Christian social tradition.
Study of a specific topic or issue in pastoral theology.
Principles and history of interpretation in theology. Recent developments and debates. The role of classic texts and the question of historical consciousness.
Transmission of the text. Inspiration. Canonicity. The authority of the text and the believing community.
Principles and methods of interpretation. History of interpretation: the Church Fathers, Middle Ages, the Reformation, 19th and 20th centuries.
Hermeneutical questions and methodological foundations of contemporary ethical reflection analysed from a theological perspective.
Exploring in depth the basic concepts of theological tradition with regard to Christian ethics, as well as the main questions related to ethical research in a contemporary context. Reflection on what is at stake with regard to the public relevance of the Christian ethical discourse in a pluralist and multicultural society.
Faith and experience. The Mystery of God. Interpretations and expressions of the experience of God.
The relationship between faith and culture; contemporary issues, questions and challenges. The contextual nature of theology.
Analysis of the methods used in the theological study of spirituality. Spirituality in relation to the human sciences.
Comparative theological study of one or more Christian spiritual traditions and one or more spiritual traditions within other religions to highlight their views of the world, human reality and salvation.
Various methodologies used in the main fields of theological research. Theoretical and practical aspects of writing a paper or a thesis: matters of research, defining the problem, a working hypothesis, choosing a method, bibliographical research, writing up the status questiones, etc.
A written and oral exercise during which the student is expected to demonstrate the ability to reflect critically on five themes (and concomitant texts) of particular significance to Eastern Christian Studies.
The research paper, approximately 40 pages in length, aims at a deeper understanding of a precise theological topic, with the help of pertinent methodological tools.
The master’s thesis, about 100 pages long, must show that the student can work independently and in a rigorously scientific manner.
Organization and composition of a thesis proposal acceptable to the Faculty of theology and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. (Graded: S or N/S)
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