Catholic Thought

Admission Requirements

Following are the procedures for applying to the Master of Catholic Thought (MCT) program at St. Jerome's University. If you do not find the information which you are looking for, or have any questions regarding application procedures, please contact the Director of the MCT program.

The basic requirements for admission into this master's degree program is as follows:

• All applicants in all categories must complete the online application form through the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC).
• A four-year Bachelor's degree, in any discipline, with a minimum overall average of 'B' (75%), and a minimum of two year's work experience. Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be considered for admission on an exceptional basis, provided they demonstrate equivalent qualifications.
• Proof of proficiency in English (if applicable); accepted examinations and required minimum scores for graduate studies are listed on the English Language Proficiency page.
• All application packages uploads must include a personal statement.  Comment on your reasons for applying to the Master of Catholic Thought Program, your academic record, your employment record, any special interest in the area of theological education, your personal interests, activities and goals. 
• Two letters of reference.
• Degree and Non-Degree students must include in their application package an official transcript (i.e. bearing the seal of the instituion) from each institution through which they have completed coursework. Two supporting references must also be included.  Of these references, at least one reference should be from an academic who can assess academic potential.  The second referee may be selected from employers, supervisors, other professionals and academics.
• Those students wishing to audit courses should apply as non-degree students and should include the personal statement with the package upload as well as a note indicating their desire to audit the courses only.  Transcripts and references are not necessary.

The Graduate Admissions committee will normally consider the applications only after reviewing all the required documents. Application material submitted in support of the application will not be returned.

Categories of Admission

Applicants may apply to be accepted for one of the following three categories:

Degree Student: students possessing a four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized accredited University of University College or equivalent who are proceeding to completion of the Master of Catholic Thought program.

Non-Degree Student: students possessing a four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized accredited University or University College or equivalent who are taking one or more graduate courses for credit but are not proceeding to completion of the Master of Catholic Thought program.

Audit: Persons who wish to continue their education, but do not care to earn academic credit, may be eligible to audit courses. Courses taken as an audit will not count towards a degree. Students must have the permission of the instructor, and registration will normally be limited to 1/3 of the total enrollment for each particular course.  Attendance and participation in class is expected. 

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

Core Courses

Students will be required to complete the following set of five (5) core courses:

• CT 601: The Books of the Church
• CT 602: The History of Catholicism
• CT 603: Foundations of Theology
• CT 604: Catholic Moral Life and Thought
• CT 605: The Prayer Life of the Church: Spirituality and Liturgy

Elective Courses

The following is a list of possible elective courses that will be available:

• CT 610: Catholic Sacramental Life
• CT 611: Catholic Perspectives on Ecology
• CT 612: Special Topics in Catholic Theology
• CT 613: The Catholic Imagination in Art and Literature
• CT 614: Catholicism and Education
• CT 615: Catholic Social Ethics
• CT 616: Gender Ethics in Roman Catholicism
• CT 617: Contemporary Bioethics:  Issues of Life and Death
• CT 618: The Catholic Church in Canada

Other Elective Courses

Students in this MCT program may also choose electives from appropriate graduate-level theology courses offered at another University, such as Conrad Grebel University College. The maximum number of courses that can be taken from another University is three.

Students must obtain a minimum overall average of B or 75 in all courses.

Research Paper or Project Requirements (CT 606)

Students are expected to complete a master's-level research paper, 35-50 pages [8750-12,500 words] or complete a discipline or profession-related research project. The nature of the research project will be determined in consultation with the Director of the program.

The paper/project will be evaluated by two faculty members: the supervisor and one other faculty member who teaches in the core of the program.

A conversation focusing on the research paper or project shall normally take place between the student, the supervising faculty member, the second reader, and the Graduate Program Director (or designate). This provides the student with an opportunity to present and discuss the research undertaken in the paper or project.

Students must obtain a minimum grade of B or 75 for the paper or project.

Modes of Delivery

To meet the needs of part-time students, the modes of delivery of the courses will vary. For example:

(i) courses can be taught during regular semesters but offered in the evening, e.g. one evening per week for 12 weeks, 3 hours per evening.

(ii) courses can be taught in a two-week intensive period, 4 hours per day, 5 days per week.

Check Course Registration and Schedule for information on upcoming courses.

As well, because the program is meeting the needs of a wide geographical area, courses will be taught off-site when feasible.

Completion of the Program

The five electives in this program can be taken in any order provided that any course prerequisites have been met.  It is expected that at least one elective, and typically more, will be offered every term.

Normally, the research paper/project will be started only when the coursework is completed.

Students wishing to take two courses every term can complete their coursework requirement in six consecutive terms. Students wishing to take one course every term can complete their course work requirement in ten consecutive terms. Given the students that are expected to take this MCT program, interruptions due to professional or personal commitments are anticipated.

Typically, students should be able to complete their course requirements in four years, five years when allowing for significant interruption. The research paper/project is expected to take one year to complete. Hence, there is every reason to believe that students can complete all of their degree requirements in a maximum of seven years.