Master of Theological Studies

Program description

Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief. The Theology program encourages students to develop a critical approach to the problems and challenges facing modern society. The Master of Theological Studies is a two-year (60 cr.) second-entry  program, (that is, it requires a BA or its equivalent for admission but no prior theological training). As such, it is a general degree in theological education whose purpose is to provide students a basic understanding of theological disciplines in view of further studies in theology, or for general educational purposes. It also prepares students to do upper-level graduate study in subsequent years. For example, those who graduate with an M.T.S. are eligible to apply to the M.A., in Theology, a program in advanced theological research.

A summative exercise is required at the end of the degree, comprising either a comprehensive examination or a major research paper.

What you’ll learn

The M.T.S. is a general theological degree that is recognized by the Association of Theological Schools and has a wide appeal to mature students. The program provides a strong formation for students looking to develop a critical understanding of the heritage of the Christian tradition and its contributions to contemporary society and culture through dialogue and service.

Students will gain a broad, general knowledge of the Catholic theological tradition and the plurality of its expression, with the possibility of attaining a focused knowledge in a specific discipline or interdisciplinary theme. They will learn to think theologically through the acquisition of knowledge from across various theological disciplines, perspectives and methods. They will be prepared for service both within the church and society at large.

Why choose Saint Paul University?

• For its reduced class sizes and small student-teacher ratio
• For its safe, secure and friendly campus with personalized services
• For its bilingual setting in the heart of Canada’s national capital
• For its diverse student population and international vision
• For its solid reputation, experience, history and Catholic tradition

Career opportunities

• Work in diocesan centers or various organizations such as Bishops’ Conferences
• Publishing, especially in presses with a religion section
• Writing for religious and secular media.
• Resource person, expert or consultant in hospital, agencies, government services, professional organizations, companies, or in the business world.
• Interreligious and ecumenical dialogue consultant
• Theological advisors to Church-related organizations and in the business world

Click here to find out more about Admission Scholarships at Saint Paul University.

Other programs that may interest you

• Theology (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Major)
• Philosophy of Religion (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Major)
• Public Ethics (Honours Bachelor of Arts)
• Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
• Master of Arts in Theology (M. A.)
• Master of Divinity - Anglican Studies
• Master of Divinity - Eastern Christian Studies

• BLÉE Fabrice, Professor
• BLOOMQUIST Gregory, Professor Emeritus
• DIONNE Christian, Professor
• E. CLIFFORD Catherine, Professor
• ERIC HEFTY Karl, Associate Professor
• LYSACK Maxym , Adjunct Professor
• MARKWELL Hazel, Professor
• MATHIEU Yvan, Associate Professor
• SLATTER Mark, Professor
• SPATAFORA M.S.F. Andrea, 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 credits

• THO 2189 Can we talk about God?
• THO 3160 Introduction to the Old Testament: Pentateuch and Historical Books
• THO 3161 Introduction to the New Testament: Synoptic Gospels
• THO 3162 Christian Faith: Encounter with a Self-Revealing God
• THO 3165 Ecclesiology in an Ecumenical Age
• THO 3166 The Good Life: Ethics and Christian Tradition
• THO 3167 Early Christianity: The First Five Centuries (0-600 CE)
• THO 3168 Ways of Christian Life and Prayer – Spirituality
• THO 3169 Liturgy Life of the Church

Optional Courses: 15 credits

1. Three Credits from each category:

(a) Foundations for Dialogue with People of Other Faiths

• MIS 2108 Theory and Praxis of Interreligious Dialogue
• THO 2410 Introduction to the Religions of the World
• THO 4204 Christianity and Religious Pluralism

(b) Contextual Issues in Church and Theology

• THO 3172 Faith and Contemporary Culture
• THO 4124 Feminist Perspectives in Theology
• THO 4202 Global Christianity
• THO 4203 Christianity in a Secular Age

(c) Summative Exercise

• THO 4140 Theological Synthesis
• THO 4207 Major Research Paper

2. Six Credits from:

 (a) Divine Self-Disclosure: The Foundation of Christian Hope

• THO 3163 The Christian God: Speaking of the Divine Mystery
• THO 3164 Jesus the Christ and the Language of Christian Hope
• THO 4125 Christologies, Past and Present

Elective Courses: 18 credits

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.

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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 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.

Contact Us

Office of Admissions, Registrar and Student Services
Room 148
Saint Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA

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Telephone: 613-236-1393
Fax: 613-782-3014
admission@ustpaul.ca

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday	8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
	1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please leave your documents in the mailbox in front of room 148 when our offices are closed.