The Toronto School of Theology (TST) is an

ecumenical Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...

consortium of seven theological colleges and is affiliated with the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution ...

. TST is the largest ecumenical consortium for theological education in Canada. Its seven member schools are Emmanuel College, Knox College, Regis College,

St. Augustine's Seminary St. Augustine's Seminary is the archdiocesan seminary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, and is located by the shore of Lake Ontario in Scarborough. It is a member of the Toronto School of Theology. History St. Augustine's Seminary ...

University of St. Michael's College St Michael's College, officially the University of St. Michael's College, is a constituent college of the University of Toronto. It was founded in 1852 by the Congregation of St. Basil and retains its Catholic affiliation through its postgraduat ...

Faculty of Theology,

Trinity College Trinity College may refer to: Australia * Trinity Anglican College, an Anglican coeducational primary and secondary school in , New South Wales * Trinity Catholic College, Auburn, a coeducational school in the inner-western suburbs of Sydney, New ...

Faculty of Divinity, and

Wycliffe College Wycliffe College () is an evangelical graduate school of theology at the University of Toronto. Founded in 1877 as an evangelical seminary in the Anglican tradition, Wycliffe College today attracts students from many Christian denominations from ...

. Each of TST's member colleges are fully accredited by the

Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. History It was founded in 1918. The associ ...

. Academic standards are consistent with those of the

, which holds TST accountable through a highly developed process of quality assurance. The TST consortium offers a full range of professional and academic degrees, for different educational purposes. Some are primarily professional in character, while others are oriented to general theological studies or research. All degree programs operate at the post-baccalaureate level, and degrees are conferred conjointly by the University of Toronto. By bringing together established and junior scholars from a wide variety of Christian and non-Christian traditions, in the context of one of the world's preeminent research universities, TST offers students an exceptional opportunity to research and understand the Bible, Christian belief and discipleship, the history of Christianity and Church leadership, and to prepare for various forms of ministry in the contemporary world.

History

In 1944, the Toronto Graduate School of Theological Studies (TGSTS) was formed to promote collaboration in the

Doctor of Theology Doctor of Theology ( la, Doctor Theologiae, abbreviated DTh, ThD, DTheol, or Dr. theol.) is a terminal degree in the academic discipline of theology. The ThD, like the ecclesiastical Doctor of Sacred Theology, is an advanced research degree equiva ...

and

Master of Theology Master of Theology ( la, Theologiae Magister, abbreviated MTh, ThM, or MTheol) is a post-graduate degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries. It can serve as a transition degree for entrance into a PhD program or as a stand ...

programs at Emmanuel, Knox, Trinity, and Wycliffe Colleges. In 1964, the TGSTS was incorporated and this year is considered the official year when the current Toronto School of Theology was established. In 1966, the Graduate Theological Division of St. Michael's College joined TGSTS. During 1969-70, the success of this venture led to the foundation of the current Toronto School of Theology (TST). Regis College and St. Augustine's Seminary entered into the consortium as member schools, and collaboration began in two professional programs, the

MDiv For graduate-level theological institutions, the Master of Divinity (MDiv, ''magister divinitatis'' in Latin) is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America. It is the most common academic degree in seminaries and divi ...

and the

MRE A Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging purchased by the United States Department of Defense for its service members for use in combat or field conditions where other food is not avail ...

, supplementing the cooperation that already existed in the ThD and ThM programs. TST was incorporated in April 1970, by an amendment to the Letters Patent of the TGSTS. In 1978, TST and its member schools entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the

, making possible the conjoint granting of degrees in theology by the University and the member schools of TST. TST committed itself to the University's academic standards, and began appointing the University's representatives to its Board of Trustees, its academic councils, and its faculty appointments committees. Finally, in 1979 a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Toronto made it possible for the member schools to grant conjoint basic and advanced degrees in theology. The Toronto School of Theology's Arms and Flag were registered with the

Canadian Heraldic Authority The Canadian Heraldic Authority (CHA; french: Autorité héraldique du Canada) is part of the Canadian honours system under the Canadian monarch, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General of Canada. The authority is responsible for th ...

on March 1, 2001.http://reg.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=207 Arms and Flag The school's motto is the Greek word (), which is taken from 2 Corinthians 6:1 and means "We work together with Him" (or more loosely translates to “Co-worker”).

Member Institutions

The Toronto School of Theology consists of seven member theological schools and is the largest ecumenical consortium for theological education in Canada.

Affiliated Institutions

Academics

Programs

The seven member colleges of the Toronto School of Theology (TST) offer several basic (entry-level) master's degrees in

theology Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...

, which provide students with an introduction to theological study as well as preparation for professional ministry. Basic degree programs are first theological degrees taught at the post-baccalaureate level. TST member colleges also offer a variety of academically focused advanced master's and doctoral degrees in accordance with the regulations of the Academic Council. As well, TST offers a

Doctor of Ministry The Doctor of Ministry (abbreviated DMin or D.Min.) is a professional doctorate, often including a research component, that may be earned by a minister of religion while concurrently engaged in some form of ministry. It is categorized as an advanced ...

program offering advanced studies in the practice of professional ministry. A majority of TST’s degrees are awarded conjointly by a TST member college and the

, while a few degrees, certificates and diplomas are solely awarded by a TST college.

Basic Degrees

The following degrees are offered conjointly by the Toronto School of Theology (TST) member colleges and the

. Not all TST Colleges offer all degrees. The degrees are listed below according to the categories of th
Association for Theological Schools
*

Master of Divinity For graduate-level theological institutions, the Master of Divinity (MDiv, ''magister divinitatis'' in Latin) is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America. It is the most common academic degree in seminaries and divi ...

(MDiv) - leading to ministerial leadership *

Master of Religious Education The Master of Religious Education (MRE) is a terminal academic degree in preparation for professional teaching ministry, usually offered by Christian institutions. The curriculum includes two years of theological study and sometimes a thesis. Alt ...

(MRE) - to prepare for educational ministries *

Master of Theological Studies A Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is a graduate degree, offered in theological seminary or graduate faculty of theology, which gives students lay training in theological studies. Under Association of Theological Schools in the United States a ...

(MTS) - a general introduction to theological scholarship ** Theology, Spirituality and the Arts Stream ** Urban Community Development Stream To prepare for specialized ministries: * Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) ** Social Service Stream ** Worship and Preaching Stream ** Spiritual Care Stream - Certificate in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy * Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality (MAMS) *

Master of Sacred Music The Master of Sacred Music (MSM or SMM) degree is a two to five-year post-baccalaureate degree that combines academic and musical studies. The closure of graduate programs in organ performance across America has made the MSM increasingly the ''de fa ...

(MSMus) The following certificates are offered conjointly by TST member colleges and the University of Toronto. Not all TST colleges offer all certificates. * Certificate in Theological Studies (CTS) * Certificate in Theology and Interreligious Engagement (CTIE)

Graduate Degrees

The Toronto School of Theology (TST) has the largest graduate program in theology in Canada, with nearly 400 students registered in TST's graduate degree programs. TST offers two advanced master's degrees, the

(ThM) and the

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Tho ...

in Theology (MA). Both degrees are granted conjointly by the University of Toronto and the TST member school in which the student is registered. TST's doctoral program leads towards the

Doctor of Philosophy A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., or DPhil; Latin: or ') is the most common Academic degree, degree at the highest academic level awarded following a course of study. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields ...

in Theological Studies (PhD), granted conjointly by the University of Toronto and the TST member school in which the student is registered. The

(DMin) program is a professional doctoral degree granted conjointly by the University of Toronto and the TST member school in which the student is registered. The following graduate degrees are awarded conjointly by a TST member college and the

: * Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theological Studies * Master of Arts (MA) in Theological Studies * Master of Theology (ThM) * Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Reputation and Rankings

In the 2021

QS World University Rankings ''QS World University Rankings'' is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The QS system comprises three parts: the global overall ranking, the subject rankings (which name the world's top universities for the ...

, the Toronto School of Theology/University of Toronto was ranked #1 in Canada and #11 in the world for Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies. The journal ''

First Things ''First Things'' (''FT'') is an ecumenical and conservative religious journal aimed at "advanc nga religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society". The magazine, which focuses on theology, liturgy, church history, religio ...

'', an organ of the Institute on Religion and Public Life in New York, ranked the Toronto School of Theology fourth among graduate programs in theology. The Toronto School of Theology was also ranked #3 for the number of doctoral students that have graduated and gone on to positions in fellow member schools of the Association of Theological Schools.

Toronto School of Theology libraries

Students have access to the libraries of every member school, including Knox's Caven Library, St. Michael's Kelly Library, Trinity and Wycliffe's John W. Graham Library, and the libraries of Emmanuel College, Regis College, and St. Augustine's Seminary. Students, moreover, have access to the library system of the University of Toronto, including

Robarts Library The John P. Robarts Research Library, commonly referred to as Robarts Library, is the main humanities and social sciences library of the University of Toronto Libraries and the largest individual library in the university. Opened in 1973 and named ...

, Canada's largest library and the fourth largest academic library system in North America.

Journals

'' The Toronto Journal of Theology'' is published semi-annually. It promotes progressive publication of current opinion on the full range of scholarship represented by diverse Christian traditions through the analysis of issues in Biblical Studies, History of Christianity, Systematic and Pastoral Theology, and Christian Ethics and engagement of cross-cultural perspectives in discussing theological issues.

References

External links

Toronto School of Theology
{{authority control Seminaries and theological colleges in Canada University of Toronto