Master of Theological Studies

• Informed knowledge and interpretive skill in the theological disciplines
• Ability to reflect critically and theologically on religion’s role in public life
• Knowledge and respect for the diverse religious traditions in Canada and the world
• A broadened and enriched understanding of social justice and community transformation
• Ability to collaborate across denominational and religious boundaries

• small, inclusive learning community within one of Canada’s leading Liberal Arts universities
• over 150 years of excellence in theological education
• ability to specialize in an area of concentration, including Islamic Studies
• new program mode includes convenient, two-day timetable and distance learning option
• knowledgeable, supportive faculty who take a personal interest in your learning and development
• excellent research support in Huron’s Library and Learning Services and Writing Services
• generous financial aid available to students who qualify
• access to Western University amenities
• and graduate with a Western degree

You may apply to the MTS if you hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university. A limited number of competitive, discretionary admissions may be available for those without a bachelor’s degree (contact the Faculty for details).  Occasional January part-time admission is possible.  (Contact the Faculty for information.)

Deadline for application is May 30 for September entry (enquire at the Faculty of Theology office if that date has passed).

Taking Courses Only (Not the Degree), Letter of Permission, and Special Student: 

You may take courses without being in a degree stream in the following ways when you already hold a university degree:

• Special Students already hold a university degree & wish to take individual course(s), for audit or credit, without being in a degree program.
• Letter of Permission students are visiting students from another university.

Deadline for Special Student or Letter of Permission status:   August 1 for September starts and December 1 for January starts (Call the Faculty of Theology office, 519.438.7224, ext. 289, directly if this deadline has passed, for further information).

Non-Registered Students:  

If you do not already hold a Bachelor’s degree, you can contact the Faculty of Theology office regarding the possibility of sitting in on courses in the Faculty.  You will not be an official Western/Huron student, no records will be kept, and audit fees will be charged.

General MTS Degree Requirements:  

Area I: Biblical Studies–Old Testament, New Testament, and related studies

• Biblical Studies 5110a/b, 5116a/b, and 5120a/b
• One further half-course from Area I, Biblical Studies, including Greek, or Hebrew (Those who began the degree prior to September 2014 may substitute Biblical Studies 5112a/b for 5120a/b)

Area II: Theological Studies–Philosophical Theology, Systematic Theology, Theological Ethics

• Systematic Theology 5103a and Theological Ethics 5203a/b
• One further half-course from Area II, Theological Studies

Area III: Historical Studies–Studies in Church History, History of Christian Thought, and other historical studies of Christianity, the Christian tradition

• Two half-courses from Area III, Historical Studies

Area IV: Public Leadership and Ministry Studies–Studies in the work of the church, in particular conducting liturgy and preaching, and of the various forms of ministry, pastoral care and public leadership

• Pastoral Theology 5213a/b

Area V: Contextual and Formational Studies–Field Education and Community-Based Learning conducted alongside theological reflection on parochial, social, educational, or clinical ministries

• One half-course from Area V, Contextual and Formational Studies

Area VI: Comparative and Cultural Studies–Ecumenical, Interfaith and cross-cultural studies in religion, philosophy, the arts, sociology, and anthropology

• Two half-courses from Area VI, Comparative & Contextual Studies

General Program Electives: 

• 7 elective half-courses from any of the 6 areas above.
• (For an area of concentration, replace these 7 General Program Electives with 7 courses listed for your area of concentration in the tab below.)

MTS Concentrations 

(Concentration in Islamic Studies follows)

If you wish to complete an MTS with a concentration in:

•     Biblical Studies
•     Theology and Ethics
•     Comparative Religion and Theology
•     Congregational Ministry
•     Pastoral Advising
•     Public Service

complete the MTS General Degree, but replace the 7 courses of the “General Program Electives,” with one of the concentrations below.

Biblical Studies Concentration: 

• Hebrew 5040a/b or Greek 5103a/b
• 2 further half-courses from Area I (Biblical Studies) including Greek & Hebrew
• 4 electives from any Area

Theology and Ethics Concentration: 

• 3 half-courses from Area II (Theological Studies) or Area III (Historical Studies)
• 4 electives from any Area

Comparative Religion and Theology Concentration: 

• 4 half-courses from Area II (Theological Studies), Area III (Historical Studies), and Area VI (Comparative & Cultural Studies)
• 3 electives from any Area

Congregational Ministry Concentration: 

• Homiletics 5204a/b, Liturgics 5204a/b, Field Education 5310a, Field Education 5110a, and Field Education 5211a
• 1 further half-course from Area IV (Public Leadership & Ministry Studies) or Area V (Contextual and Formational Studies)
• 1 elective from any Area

Pastoral Care Concentration: 

• 6 half-courses from Area IV (Public Leadership & Ministry Studies) or Area V (Contextual and Formational Studies), or other master’s-level course with permission of the dean
• 1 elective from any Area

Public Service Concentration:

• 6 half-courses from Area IV (Public Leadership & Ministry Studies) or Area V (Contextual and Formational Studies) and Area VI (Comparative & Cultural Studies)
• 1 elective from any Area

Islamic Studies Concentration:  

Complete all 20 half-courses (10.0 full courses) in the degree from the areas and electives as indicated below:

Area I: Biblical Studies–Sacred Texts 

• Religious Studies 5310a/b or Biblical Studies 5320 a/b
• Biblical Studies 5119a/b
• Arabic 5260a/b or another half-course from Area I, if already reading Arabic at this level
• One additional half-course from Area I

Area II: Theological Studies–Philosophy, Systematical Theology, Theological Ethics

• Theological Ethics 5213a/b  or  Theological Ethics 5190a/b
• Systematic Theology 5208a/b
• One further half-course from Area II, Theological Studies

Area III: Historical Studies 

• Church History 5111a/b
• One additional course from Area III, Historical Studies

Area IV: Public Leadership and Ministry Studies 

• Pastoral Theology 5213a/b (taken as one of final courses)
• Pastoral Theology 5231a/b
• One additional course in Area IV, Public Leadership & Ministry

Area V: Contextual and Formational Studies–Field Education and Community-Based Learning conducted alongside theological reflection on parochial, social, educational, or clinical ministries 

• One half-course from Area V, Contextual and Formational Studies

Area VI: Comparative and Cultural Studies–Ecumenical, Interfaith and cross-cultural studies in religion, philosophy, the arts, sociology, and anthropology 

• Religious Studies 5134a/b
• One additional half-course from Area VI, Comparative & Contextual Studies

Electives for MTS Concentration in Islamic Studies

• 5 elective half-courses from any of the 6 areas.

MTS Application Package (see Application Steps below for instructions)

Special Student/Letter of Permission Student application  (see Taking Courses without admission to Degree, see below, for instructions)

MTS Application Steps : 

1.    Download the MTS application form and complete and send to the Faculty of Theology.
2.    References or autobiographic statement are NOT required.
3.    Arrange for an original academic transcript of your previous university degree to be mailed to the Faculty of  Theology  at Huron (if a UWO degree, this is not necessary).
4.    Once your file is complete, we will arrange for a convenient admissions interview with the Admissions Committee.  (Other arrangements will be made for applicants some distance from London.)

Due Date for Applications for the MTS degree:    May 31 of each year. (Call the Faculty of  Theology  office directly if this deadline has passed, for further information).

International students are advised to apply well in advance in order to give themselves extra time to apply for a student visa.

Special Student or Letter of Permission Application Steps:

• Special Students already hold a university degree & wish to take course(s) for credit, without being in a degree program.  Those wishing to audit require permission of the Dean and instructor.
• Letter of Permission students are visiting students from another university.

1.    Download the Special Student/Letter of Permission Student Application.  Complete and send to the Faculty of Theology by email to srice@uwo.ca
2.    Arrange for an original academic transcript of your previous university degree to be sent to Huron (if a UWO degree, this may not be necessary).
3.    Visiting/Letter of Permission students arrange to have a Letter of Permission from their university sent to the Faculty of Theology by email to srice@uwo.ca

Due Date for Applications for Special Student or Letter of Permission status:    August 1 for September starts and December 1 for January starts (Call the Faculty of Theology office, 519.438.7224, ext. 289) directly if this deadline has passed, for further information.

Non-Registered Student Application Steps:

1.    Contact the Faculty of Theology office regarding possibility of sitting in on courses without previously holding a bachelor’s degree.
2.    Before attending classes you must get permission of instructor, then Dean to audit courses in this way.
3.    Download the application form here (pdf).  Complete and send to the Faculty of Theology by email to srice@uwo.ca

Auditing Courses
Regardless of method of application, those wishing to audit a course (sit in on course without assignments, tests, marks), must receive permission of both the instructor and the Dean of Theology before attending the class.

Highly motivated students, with a minimum of 12 half-courses completed in the MTS with a minimum average of 78%, may apply to the MA (Theology). Those completing both degrees concurrently will be part-time in one degree, full-time in the other.

Combined MTS-MA students will complete three fewer half-courses (generally elective courses) in the MTS program (for a total of 17). With successful completion, both MDiv and MA degrees are awarded.

Islamic Studies and Related Course Outlines

Master of Theological Studies 2019-2020 Course Timetable

For detailed course and program information, click here.

2018-19 MDiv/MTS Fall/Winter Course Timetable

Room #s available at student.uwo.ca under “your Weekly Schedule”

“a” and “f” courses are in first (fall) term;  “b” and “g” in second (winter)

“Calendar/catalogue description is found by clicking “Course #.”
Interested in taking a course below, without being in MDiv or MTS degree stream?
Contact the Faculty of Theology, srice@uwo.ca.

Islamic Studies and Related Course Outlines