Master of Arts (Theology)
The United Centre for Theological Studies
Application to the Master of Arts (Theology) Program [PDF]
The Master of Arts (Theology) currently offers one area of concentration in Bible and Culture.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Master of Arts (Theology): Bible and Culture is a two-year graduate program for those preparing to do doctoral work in Biblical or Cultural Studies, or anyone interested in sustained, critical reflection on the political, economic, social, and scientific intersections between the Bible and contemporary local and global cultures.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Students will develop their ability to:
1. Demonstrate in written and oral communication an advanced critical understanding of the academic study of Bible and Culture.
2. Do extensive academic research and writing using cultural criticism and related critical methodologies.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applications for the MA (Theology): Bible and Culture program are reviewed by its Graduate Program Committee. The Faculty of Graduate Studies admits students to the program based on the recommendation of the Program Committee. Admission decisions are not subject to appeal or reconsideration.
Applicants should have an Honours or four-year BA in a cognate discipline such as Anthropology, Art History, English, History, Politics, Religion and Culture, Rhetoric and Communication, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies with an overall GPA of 3.0, and a minimum of 30 credit hours with a GPA of 3.5 in a cognate discipline or disciplines.
The Program Committee may require applicants to take a qualifying program of up to twelve hours of specified undergraduate courses, if they do not have adequate background for the degree. Especially important for Bible and Culture would be ENGL-4110.6 Critical Theory and REL-1003(6) Exploring Religion: the Bible, if applicants have not had these courses.
Applicants for whom English is an additional language require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100, with a score of at least 22 on the writing and speaking components, or an IELTS score of 7.5.
Applicants should provide a completed application form, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation from former professors, an academic writing sample, a letter of intent, and, if applicable, an academic resume showing grants, awards, and publications. Anyone who qualifies is welcome to enter the program regardless of religious affiliation or faith stance.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
48 credit hours, which include Thesis Seminar (3 hours) and Thesis Writing (9 hours), are required to graduate. A maximum of 12 credit hours may be transferred from other accredited institutions.
Students should plan their course of study with their Program Advisor and must have their planning guide and course registration forms signed by their Program Advisor or Director of Studies.
Students must maintain a B average (3.0 GPA) and attend at least 75% of the non-credit Program Community Seminars in order to remain in the program.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students may be enrolled in the program either part-time or full-time. The program may be completed in two years full-time, or four years part-time. The maximum time allowed to complete the program is six years.
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
GTHEO 7200/3 Introduction to Theology
GTHEO 7100/3 Introduction to Scripture I
GTHEO 7101/3 Introduction to Scripture II
GTHEO 7201/3 Survey of Christian History
GENG 7103/3 Research Methods and Practice
AND EITHER
GTHEO 7181/3 Introductory Hebrew
GTHEO 7182/3 Introductory Hebrew II
OR
GTHEO-7183/3 Introductory Greek
GTHEO-7184/3 Introductory Greek II
Electives (15 hours with at least 9 hours in Cultural Studies)
GENG 7112/3 or 7113/6 Topics in Cultural Theory
GENG 7160/3 and 7161/6 Topics in Cultures of Childhood
GENG 7901/3 and 7902/6 Topics in Genders, Sexualities, and Cultures
GENG 7740/3 and 7741/6 Topics in Local, National, and Global Cultures
GENG 7811/3 and 7812/6 Topics in Manuscript, Print, and Digital Cultures
GENG 7820/3 and 7821/6 Topics in Visual Cultures
GENG 7122/3 and 7131/6 Special Studies in Cultural Theories and Practices
GTHEO 7115/6 Hebrew Exegesis
GTHEO 7117/6 Greek Exegesis
GTHEO 7140/3 Biblical Theology
GTHEO 7145/3 Biblical Hermeneutics
GTHEO 7155/3 Topics in New Testament Studies
GTHEO 7156/3 Topics in Hebrew Bible
GTHEO 7158/3 Topics in Scripture Studies
GTHEO 7173/3 Directed Study in Biblical Studies
GTHEO 7203/3 Indigenous Christian Encounter
GTHEO 7240/3 Christian Ethics
GTHEO 7259/3 Theology and Popular Culture
Thesis (12 hours)
GTHEO 7690/3 Thesis Seminar
GTHEO 7691/9 Thesis