Master of Arts Spiritual Disciplines & Ministry Practices


Application to the Master of Arts Spiritual Disciplines & Ministry Practices [PDF]

Master of Arts in Spiritual Disciplines and Ministry Practices

Admission Requirements:
Admission to the Master of Arts in Spiritual Disciplines and Ministry Practices requires a four year baccalaureate degree from a university recognized by the Association of Universities & Colleges of Canada (AUCC) or its equivalent, with a minimum grade point average of "B".  Academic records, references and a personal statement of intent, will be used to determine suitability of an applicant for admission into graduate studies.  Any student who qualifies academically is welcome to enter the program regardless of religious affiliation or faith stance.  Language prerequisites may be required as appropriate for the chosen field of study. Note:Students must consult with the Director of Studies or a Faculty Advisor in planning their course of study.
In addition, students applying to the Parish Nursing concentration must be Registered Nurses with a current license to practice. Students applying to the Applied Ministry (CCS) concentration must have completed or currently be enrolled and active in the CCS Diploma in Diaconal Ministry and have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited University.

Areas of Concentration:
The Master of Arts in Spiritual Disciplines and Ministry Practices offers three areas of concentration:
    1.  Spirituality and Spiritual Care (including Pastoral Education)
    2.  Applied Ministry (Centre for Christian Studies - CCS)

Residency Requirements:
The program requires the equivalent of two years of full time study (60 credit hours).  A minimum of 33 credit hours must be taken at the Masters level at the University of Winnipeg, Faculty of Theology (residency requirement). The remaining 27 credit hours may be completed at either the University of Winnipeg, Faculty of Theology, one or more of the Cooperative partners, or by Letter of Permission at another accredited institution approved by the Faculty of Theology.

Advanced Standing:
In some cases advanced standing may be granted for appropriate graduate level credits as reviewed with the Faculty of Theology Director of Studies. No advanced standing upon admission will be given for undergraduate courses, or courses applied to a previous degree.  Advanced standing will not be granted for core curriculum (below), which must be earned at the Faculty of Theology.  Equivalent courses in alternative scriptural and religious traditions may be substituted with the authorization of the Theology Academic Council.

GPA Requirements:
In order to maintain good standing, and to graduate with a Master of Arts a student must have degree GPA of 3.0 (B-). Students dropping below  this GPA should meet with the Director of Studies before further registration.

Length of Degree:
The degree may be completed on a part-time basis.  Candidates normally complete the work for this degree within a six year period (including thesis), which may be extended through written permission from the Faculty.

1) Spirituality and Spiritual Care (including Pastoral Education)

Degree Requirements (60 Credit Hours):


Core curriculum - 18 credit hours as follows:
    TBIST-5100 Introduction to Scripture I (3 hours)
    TBIST-5101 Introduction to Scripture II (3 hours)
    TTHCH-5210 Survey of Church History I (3 hours)
    TTHCH-5211 Survey of Church History II (3 hours)
    TTHCH-5230 Introduction to Theology (3 hours)
    TTHCH-7240 Christian Ethics (3 hours)

Required Experiential Courses - 12 credit hours through completion of one of the following:
    a) Supervised Pastoral Education (Clinical)
    One Advanced Unit of Supervised Pastoral Education (Clinical)
    b) Spiritual Direction
    Completion of 2 year  “Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction”
 
Elective courses - 18 credit hours as follows:
    Electives in Biblical Studies, Theology or Church History (6 h hours)
    Electives in Pastoral Care and Counselling, Applied Theology (6 hours)
    Other electives (6 hours)
AND
    Thesis - 12 credit hours as follows:     Thesis Seminar (3 hours)      Thesis Writing (9 hours)
OR 
    12 credit hours as further electives in Pastoral Care and Counselling, Applied Theology


2) Applied Ministry (Centre for Christian Studies)

This concentration is a collaborative effort of the Centre for Christian Studies and the Faculty of Theology.  Students must have completed or be currently be in good standing in the  CCS Diploma Program.  At least 21 credit hours of this degree need to be taught by the Faculty of Theology.

Degree Requirements (60 Credit Hours):

Core curriculum - 33 credit hours
    Leadership Development Module (6 hours)
    One of three theme years from the CCS program: Social Ministry, Educational Ministry, or Pastoral Ministry (15 hours)
    Integrating Year - including Global Perspectives Experience (3 hours)
    TBIST-5100 Introduction to Scripture I (3 hours)
    TBIST-5101 Introduction to Scripture II (3 hours)
    TTHCH-5210 Survey of Church History I (3 hours)
    TTHCH-5230 Introduction to Theology (3 hours)
    TTHCH-7240 Christian Ethics (3 hours)

Elective courses - 9 credit hours as follows:
     Hebrew Scripture (3 hours)
     Christian Scripture (3 hours)
     Theology (3 hours)
AND
     Thesis -     12 credit hours as follows:     Thesis Seminar (3 hours)   Thesis Writing (9 hours)
OR
     12 credit hours as further electives in area of concentration