Advanced Degree Program

The oldest Anglican centre for theological education in Canada, Trinity hosts both a Faculty of Arts for undergraduate students and a Faculty of Divinity for graduate studies in theology. It is fully integrated administratively and academically within the life of the University of Toronto. Advanced Degree students at Trinity enjoy the remarkable resources of one of North America's most significant research universities, including access to a library system without parallel. Among the many advantages of studying at Trinity is an interdisciplinary focus and the wider interest in theological studies available through interaction with faculty and students in cognate and other academic disciplines throughout the University. Each year Advanced Degree students choose from hundreds of course offerings in all areas of theological study on the University of Toronto campus.

The Advanced Degree community at Trinity is intimate and vibrant, ecumenical and international. Recent students have come to Trinity from across Canada and the United States, as well as Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, Caribbean and Scandinavia. Our current students are Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, Baptist, and Mennonite. Some are ordained but many more are lay people pursuing advanced theological study for a variety of vocational goals: academic teaching and research, social justice work, and ministerial advancement. Included among our graduates are parish clergy, bishops, diocesan and national church administrators, and members of theological faculties throughout the world.

Admission

The requirements for admission are given on the Toronto School of Theology web site. Admission to an advanced degree program requires conjoint acceptance by Trinity, one of the four departments of the TST (Biblical, Historical, Pastoral, and Theological), and the Advanced Degree Council of the TST.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for degrees and a listings of courses will be found in the Toronto School of Theology Homepages. Each department of the TST has available an additional set of guidelines giving further information about program requirements and procedures.

The College Role

The College Director of Advanced Degree Studies serves as an advisor to all advanced degree students of the College.

The specific academic role of the College varies from student to student. Each doctoral student is given a committee by his or her department which includes a member from the College. Each student in the M.A. and Th.M. programs has a departmental advisor who may well be from the College. In many cases students are able to select Trinity courses as part of their program, and occasionally students have a member of the College as one of the examiners named by their department. The College role is especially significant when a student has a member of the College as thesis supervisor.

The College endeavours to be a spiritual community for all its students, basic and advanced degree. Financial support from the College is available in the form of teaching assistantships, fellowships, and bursaries. The College's Advanced Degree Student Association sponsors events from time to time throughout the year. It also elects a representative to the TST Advanced Degree Student Council.

For further information, students should consult the TST Advanced Degree Handbook and the bulletin board located outside the office of the Advanced Degree Director.