St. Michael's College, U of T

Faculty of Theology: Mentoring Program

Modern graduate education, especially at the doctoral level, involves more than courses, comprehensives and a dissertation.

Viewed as preparation for a career as an academic who will be involved as a researcher and a teacher, the doctoral program needs to mentor graduate students toward these roles. In today’s hiring process, search committees are looking for candidates with teaching experience and related expertise.

The following intentional mentoring process aims to respond to this reality. When possible and appropriate, Ph.D./Th.D. students at the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College will normally move through the following five stages as part of the mentoring process:

1. Research Assistant
2. Teaching Assistant
3. Guest Lecturer

When there is a need and financial resources are available at the Faculty of Theology, a student might be able to proceed to the following stages:

4. Co-instructor
5. Sessional Lecturer.

At each stage of the mentoring process, the student will work with an individual faculty mentor who will guide and advise the student in the responsibilities appropriate to that stage.  At the end of the process, both the student and mentor will provide written feedback on the mentoring experience and these documents will be placed in student’s as well as mentor’s files. 

For various reasons, it may not be possible for every student to participate in every stage of the process.  A student who specializes in an area outside the expertise of our faculty members may not be able to complete all stages, especially stages three through five. 

Please contact the Director of Advanced Degree Programs, Dr. John L. McLaughlin, for more information.