Admission to an Advanced Graduate Degree program requires conjoint acceptance by Trinity College, and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies (GCTS) of the Toronto School of Theology. The application process to Trinity College’s Advanced Graduate Degrees are managed through TST. The requirements for admission are posted on TST’s website.
The Master of Arts (MA) in Theological Studies is a research degree for those who do not have a first degree in theology, but do hold a bachelor’s degree. It requires completion of an extensive thesis and language examinations. Many MA students intend to pursue doctoral studies.
The Master of Theology (ThM) is a second theological degree (requiring MDiv, MTS, MA or equivalent) intended for advanced and specialized theological study beyond the basic degree. There are two streams: Option I with thesis can serve as preparation for some forms of teaching or for doctoral study; Option II does not qualify a student for doctoral study, but provides opportunities for the scholarly enhancement of the practice of ministry or disciplined reflection on a specialized function in ministry. Many ThM students pursue their studies part-time while engaging in full-time parish ministry or other responsibilities.
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is a professional degree, for those primarily seeking to integrate advanced theological study with the practice of ministry. Students must have a first degree in theology and will have spent at least five years in professional ministry. It is taught in a collaborative and ecumenical context and requires a thesis.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theological Studies is an advanced research degree for those who intend to pursue careers in academic teaching and research. Applicants must hold a first degree in theology (MDiv, MTS or MA) with first-class standing and will have written a thesis. The degree requires substantial course work, comprehensive examinations, language qualifications, and a dissertation, which will be a unique contribution to theological scholarship.
Four areas of study constitute the curriculum for Advanced Graduate Degrees program and reflect the four departments of the Toronto School of Theology:
Students may choose to focus in any of the above areas. Trinity College has particular strength in:
You can view the areas of expertise among our faculty and teaching staff in the Faculty of Divinity.
The Advanced Graduate Degrees programs are administered by the Toronto School of Theology (TST) in conjunction with Trinity College’s Faculty of Divinity. The requirements for MA, ThM, PhD and DMin degrees and a listings of courses is posted on TST’s website. Students have the opportunity to take courses for credits at other member colleges of the TST or at the University of Toronto, including at the Ontario Studies in Education. For further information, students can consult the TST Advanced Graduate Degree Handbook. Trinity College degrees are conjointly awarded by Trinity College and the University of Toronto.
The Director of the Advanced Graduate Degree Program at Trinity serves all advanced degree students: Prof. Abrahim (Ivan) Khan (khanah@chass.utoronto.ca and 416-978-3039). Each doctoral student is given a committee by their department and each student in the MA and ThM programs has a departmental advisor. 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 Faculty of Divinity provides financial support to assist students in making time for their studies with Trinity College, including teaching assistantships, fellowships and bursaries. Current, we are able to provide financial assistance up to $6,000 for ThM and MA students, and at least $6,000 annually for the first four years for doctoral students (PhD and DMin).
Students whose homes are a distance from Toronto may commute readily and organize their formal studies on one or two days per week. Some required courses may be done on a reading and research basis. Overnight rooms are available for commuting students. PhD students must reside close enough to Toronto to be available each week during the first two years of the program.
All graduate students enrolled at any TST college are members of the TGSA, pay fees to the TGSA, and can nominate and elect their fellow students to the TGSA Board. The TGSA is recognized by the Toronto School of Theology and the University of Toronto.