Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus (Conrad Grebel University College campus)
• Length of program 
  • Full-time students should plan to complete the program within two years. All students should plan to complete the program within 15 "active" terms (terms in which they are registered for at least one course) over a period of no longer than eight calendar years.
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Professional
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis
  • Coursework
  • Applied Studies

• Minimum requirements 
  • The minimum academic requirement for admission to the program is a four-year bachelor degree with an overall 75% average, or its equivalent. Applicants who do not meet these requirements but who demonstrate aptitude for such graduate studies may be admitted after meeting the requirements of probationary or transitional admission or completing a qualifying program as deemed appropriate by the Admission Committee.
  • Applicants to the Thesis option will be expected to have successfully completed considerable previous undergraduate or graduate study in religion and theology, in areas related to their proposed thesis research. Applicants to the Thesis option whose previous academic study has been in other disciplines may be admitted to the Thesis option as transitional students. Additional requirements will be specified at the time of admission.
  • The Graduate Admissions Committee will consider applications after all the required documents are uploaded. Application material submitted in support of the application will not be returned.
  • An interview may be required.
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
    • From each institution through which the student has completed coursework.
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    2 of these should be from people competent to assess the candidate's academic capacities and potential.

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Once admitted to the program, students will consult with their faculty advisors to select an option and design a plan of study appropriate to their academic and professional backgrounds, interests, and goals.

The Coursework and Applied Studies options require the completion of 16 graduate level courses (0.50 unit weight). The Thesis option requires the completion of 8 graduate level courses (0.50 unit weight) and the successful completion of a thesis.

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete 8 graduate-level one-term courses (0.50 unit weight) including 4 core courses.
• Students must maintain a 75% average.
• Core courses (must be taken at Conrad Grebel University College (CGUC)):
  • TS 600 Thinking Theologically
  • TS 610 Studying the Old Testament
  • TS 611 Studying the New Testament
  • TS 640 The Mennonite Tradition in Historical Context
• Courses taken in other departments: at least 50% of the courses required for the degree must be taken in the Theological Studies program. Transfer credits will be specified at the time of admission. After admission, courses may be taken in other departments or institutions, with the approval of the student's faculty advisor.
• Course schedule: courses are normally offered in weekly three-hour daytime or evening time slots, with occasional classes offered on a three or four weekend-per-term schedule. In the spring term there will be intensive courses offered over one or two weeks, with substantial preparatory work required before the first class and major research assignments due after the conclusion of the class schedule.
• The four core courses will be scheduled annually during the fall and winter terms. Another four to six graduate courses will be offered each fall and winter term, with an additional two to three offered in the spring. Thus in an annual cycle there will normally be 16 or more courses available.
• Full-time status is three courses in each fall or winter term and two courses in the spring term.
• Students can complement their studies at CGUC with courses taken at other graduate schools.

Link(s) to courses

• Theological Studies (TS) courses

Master’s Thesis Proposal

Master’s Thesis

• Students must write and orally defend a thesis. A thesis is approximately 120 pages in length and is considered to be the equivalent of 50% of the student's program. It consists of the following stages:

1. Preliminary Stage: consulting with the Program Director and faculty advisor to identify a research area and select a thesis supervisor. This stage should be completed by early in the second term of full time studies.
2. Thesis Proposal: writing a proposal under the guidance of the thesis supervisor, for approval by the Graduate Studies Committee. Two readers will be chosen once the proposal has been accepted. This stage should be completed by the end of the second term of full time studies.
3. Thesis Research: thesis research begins during the formulation of the thesis proposal. Some of the research can often be integrated into coursework. A significant period of focused research will also be required. Students whose research requires specific language skills (e.g. Hebrew, Greek) will be required to demonstrate competency in that language.
4. Thesis Writing: writing the thesis under the direction of the thesis supervisor normally occurs when coursework is complete.
5. Thesis Defence: when the thesis supervisor confirms that the thesis is ready for defence, it will be sent to the two readers for their assessment. If they agree that it is ready for defence a date for the defence will be confirmed. The defence will be chaired by the Program Director and involve the student, thesis supervisor and the two readers. It will be open to other faculty and students.
6. Thesis Completion: after the thesis has been successfully defended it will be revised or corrected, approved by the thesis supervisor, and then filed with the College and University in the form and according to procedures in force at that time. Students will be responsible for the costs of this stage.

Coursework option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete 16 graduate-level one-term courses (0.50 unit weight) including 4 core courses.
• Students must maintain a 75% average.
• Core courses (must be taken at CGUC):
  • TS 600 Thinking Theologically
  • TS 610 Studying the Old Testament
  • TS 611 Studying the New Testament
  • TS 640 The Mennonite Tradition in Historical Context
• Courses taken in other departments: at least 50% of the courses required for the degree must be taken in the Theological Studies program. Transfer credits will be specified at the time of admission. After admission, courses may be taken in other departments or institutions, with the approval of the student's faculty advisor.
• Course schedule: courses are normally offered in weekly three-hour daytime or evening time slots, with occasional classes offered on a three or four weekend-per-term schedule. In the spring term there will be intensive courses offered over one or two weeks, with substantial preparatory work required before the first class and major research assignments due after the conclusion of the class schedule.
• The four core courses will be scheduled annually during the fall and winter terms. Another four to six graduate courses will be offered each fall and winter term, with an additional two to three offered in the spring. Thus in an annual cycle there will normally be 16 or more courses available.
• Full-time status is three courses in each fall or winter term and two courses in the spring term.
• Students can complement their studies at CGUC with courses taken at other graduate schools.

Link(s) to courses

• Theological Studies (TS) courses

Master's Seminar Presentation

• Students in the Coursework option will choose one of the papers written for a course taken during the second year of full-time studies, or within the last four terms of part-time studies. In consultation with the professor for whom the original paper was written, the student will make any revisions required to qualify the paper as a research paper. Length will normally be 25-30 pages (7,500 words). The paper will be presented and defended in the research seminar. After the presentation in the research seminar the student will make revisions to the paper under the supervision of the professor. The research paper will then be filed with the Department.
• The research seminar is a colloquium chaired by the Program Director in which research papers are presented to Theological Studies faculty and graduate students. In addition to presenting their own research paper they will be expected to read and present an oral evaluation of one of the other research papers presented in the seminar.

Applied Studies option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete 16 graduate-level one-term courses (0.50 unit weight) including 4 core courses and the 4 Applied Studies required courses.
• Students must maintain a 75% average.
• Core courses (must be taken at CGUC):
  • TS 600 Thinking Theologically
  • TS 610 Studying the Old Testament
  • TS 611 Studying the New Testament
  • TS 640 The Mennonite Tradition in Historical Context
• Applied Studies required courses (must be taken at CGUC):
  • TS 677 Church and Ministry
  • TS 678 Supervised Experience in Ministry I
  • TS 679 Supervised Experience in Ministry II
  • TS 783 Theology and Practice of Leadership
• Courses taken in other departments: at least 50% of the courses required for the degree must be taken in the Theological Studies program. Transfer credits will be specified at the time of admission. After admission, courses may be taken in other departments or institutions, with the approval of the student's faculty advisor.
• Course schedule: courses are normally offered in weekly three-hour daytime or evening time slots, with occasional classes offered on a three or four weekend-per-term schedule. In the spring term there will be intensive courses offered over one or two weeks, with substantial preparatory work required before the first class and major research assignments due after the conclusion of the class schedule.
• The four core courses and the internships will be scheduled annually during the fall and winter terms. Another four to six graduate courses will be offered each fall and winter term, with an additional two to three offered in the spring. Thus in an annual cycle there will normally be 16 or more courses available.
• Full-time status is three courses in each fall or winter term and two courses in the spring term.
• Students can complement their studies at CGUC with courses taken at other graduate schools.

Link(s) to courses

• Theological Studies (TS) courses

Master's Seminar Presentation

• Students in the Applied Studies option will choose one of the papers written for a course taken during the second year of full-time studies, or within the last four terms of part-time studies. In consultation with the professor for whom the original paper was written, the student will make any revisions required to qualify the paper as a research paper. Length will normally be 25-30 pages (7,500 words). The paper will be presented and defended in the research seminar. After the presentation in the research seminar the student will make revisions to the paper under the supervision of the professor. The research paper will then be filed with the Department.
• The research seminar is a colloquium chaired by the Program Director in which research papers are presented to Theological Studies faculty and graduate students. In addition to presenting their own research paper they will be expected to read and present an oral evaluation of one of the other research papers presented in the seminar.