GOALS
This professional program is designed for the theological education of men and women for leadership in the Church through the ordained ministry and parallel ministerial roles. The curriculum thus seeks to assist students:
- To reflect on Scripture and Tradition in the light of their original contexts.
- To interpret them in the light of present day Church teaching and in terms of contemporary thought and experience.
- To identify and address the major social issues of the day from the perspective of Scripture and the Church's teaching.
- To enter into interpersonal and community situations with sympathy and perspective.
- To communicate the gospel in a way that speaks to contemporary pastoral and social situations.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Fifteen semester hours of philosophy, especially metaphysics, philosophical anthropology, ethics, and some aspects of the history of philosophy. Those who lack the full requirements in philosophy are required to take additional courses in philosophy during their first year of study in the MDiv program. These courses do not count as credits towards the degree.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Thirty courses, or their equivalent in the case of transfer students, are required for the MDiv degree. An average of B-, with no mark below B-, is a requisite for the MDiv degree. In some cases, a student may apply for advanced standing on the basis of previously completed graduate-level work. The student must submit the request in writing to the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing and supply official transcripts for the desired credits.
A student may wish to be exempted from particular courses or curricular requirements because of previous studies or experience. In such cases the student must have permission from the professor of the course(s) in question. If the exemption is granted, the student must substitute another course in the same area to fulfill the requirement.
With the approval of the Basic Degree Director, the instructor, and the department concerned, students may substitute supervised reading or tutorial programs for listed courses.
NOTE: The minimum requirements for the MDiv degree do not necessarily fulfill all the academic and pastoral training needs of those preparing for ministry in today's Church. Students are encouraged to complete additional courses in which they have a special interest or which might be necessary for achieving their personal ministerial goals. Candidates for ordination may be advised to supplement the degree requirements with an additional year of full or part-time study. Each student has a faculty advisor to assist in planning a personalized course of study.
DURATION OF STUDIES AND COURSE LOAD
- A minimum of two semesters devoted to full-time study.
- A minimum residency of one year of full-time study or, for transfer students, ten units of TST work completed within a twelve month period.
- The degree may not be completed in less than three years or six semesters of full-time study.
CURRICULUM
The thirty (30) units of study are distributed as follows:
Biblical Department (6 units)
• 1 unit, Introduction in the Old Testament (SMB1007)
• 2 units in Old Testament
• 1 unit, Introduction to the New Testament
(SMB1501).
• 1 unit in the Gospels.
• 1 unit from the Pauline corpus.
History Department (4 units)
• 1 unit, History of Christianity I (SMH1010)
• 3 other units in the history of Christianity.
Pastoral Theology Department (3 units)
• 3 units from any area of the pastoral department.
Theology Department (9 units)
Core Systematic and Ethics units must be taken from offerings in the Roman Catholic tradition.
• 1 unit in each of the following: Foundations of Theology; God-Trinity;
Christology; Christian Anthropology; Sacramental Theology; Ecclesiology.
• 1 unit in Fundamental Christian Ethics: SMT1904.
• 1 elective in Systematic Theology.
• 2 electives in Christian Ethics/Moral Theology.
NOTE: Students who choose the SA course ‘Sacraments
I” must choose
“Sacraments II” from the same school
in order to complete the full
introduction to sacramental theology.
Ministry and Theological Field Education (3 units)
• 1 unit, Introduction to Ministry (SMP 1600).
• 2 units, Field Placement and Theological Reflection
Seminar (see below).
Free Electives (5 units)
• 5 units from any area including up to 3 units
of Greek and/or Hebrew.
MINISTRY AND THEOLOGICAL FIELD EDUCATION
Theological Field Education is an essential part of preparation for ministry. Its goal is to teach students to reflect critically and theologically in the context of an intensive experience of ministry during the MDiv program.
The supervised ministry base is the source for the experience. The theological reflection seminar is the locus for critical theological reflection on the experience of ministry. Students use the resources of theological studies, which are taught in the five areas of the MDiv curriculum, their own experience of ministry and life, and the resources of the human sciences, to begin the process of integration and identification of their own operative theology. This process is helped by personal theological reflection in dialogue with professors and peers in a regular seminar.
Guidelines
Students should consult with the Director of Field Education in the second semester of Year 1 of the MDiv program. Interviews will be arranged to help students find a placement suitable for their ministerial development.
The Ministry and Theological Field Education requirement consists of four components:
- Introduction to Ministry (SMP1600).
- Placement consisting of a minimum of 250 hours. The placement must provide students with enough responsibility so that they will be challenged to learn in a way that aids in preparation for ministry. The Director of Field Education must approve each placement.
- A Learning Contract negotiated between the student and an approved qualified supervisor on site and approved by the Director of Field Education.
- A Theological Reflection Seminar in the Faculty of Theology. The seminar is a one-semester course designed to help students integrate ministerial experience with the academic study of Theology.
Upon completing all requirements of field placement and theological reflection, the required two units of credit in Theological Field Education are granted.
Placements may be selected from the listing of approved placement sites, which are provided by the following resources:
- Office of Field Education of the University of St. Michael's College
- Directory of Training Centres of the Canadian Association for Pastoral Education
- Directory of Accredited Clinical Pastoral Centres and Member Semnaries.
N.B.Some placements are available only during the summer months (May- August); others only during the regular school year (September-April). Many are available during both times. Students are to choose the timing of their placements in consultation with the Director of Field Education.
Evaluation. Evaluation is an on-going process that involves both written reports from the students and the supervisor at the completion of the placement. Written reports from the theological reflection seminars as well as oral reports and interviews prepared with the on-site supervisor and the Director of Field Education are also required.
MDIV THESIS OPTION
MDiv students who maintain an A- average at the end of the second year of their program may choose to write a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the MDiv degree. Further information is available from the Student Services Officer.
FOURTH YEAR STUDIES
Some Catholic dioceses or religious congregations require a fourth year of theological study for ordination candidates. Requirements for this additional year vary. The Faculty of Theology accommodates these students by providing additional academic instruction and pastoral training experiences.