Master of Arts (Theology)

 The Quick Facts 
 What this Degree Offers You
 Degree Synopsis/Course Requirements
 Terms of Study
 Admission Requirements 
Application Procedure and Deadlines
 Financial Aid
Theology Viewbook Brochure (pdf)
 Fall 2012 Scholarship Competitions, OGS & SSHRC
Winter (January) 2013 Course Timetable
Taking Courses Elsewhere
 Living in London
 More Info/Links

Statement of Educational Effectiveness

Curious about Theology Degrees?  Come to our Prospective Student Conference, Wednesday, March 20, 2013!  Details/registration here.

The Quick Facts

• A postgraduate research degree offered by the University of Western Ontario, drawing on resources from Anglican (Huron) and Roman Catholic (St. Peter's, Brescia) colleges affiliated with the University, as well as from the wider university itself.  Develop research skills in written coursework and particularly in the preparation of a thesis constituting at least half of the workload you will undertake in the degree, providing an excellent foundation for further study to the doctoral level, or a capstone for an MA taken as a terminal degree.
• Ideally taken over two years of full-time study (fall term, winter term, May/Summer term), in a way which allows you to continue in part-time employment (part-time study also available).
• Courses are offered on-site at Huron University College or at St. Peter's Seminary.
• Subject areas: Systematic Theology, Public and Political Theology, Historical Theology, Theological Ethics, Comparative Religious Ethics, Biblical Studies, and Practical and Pastoral Theology. The degree also affords an opportunity to engage in Interdisciplinary study, in Comparative Theology (particularly in Western Religion), and in methodological issues in the study of Religion (e.g., Religion and modern science). MA students also have access to a range of Graduate courses in cognate areas of study elsewhere in the University.
• Approved by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies, the graduate MA began May 2006 with its first courses taking place at Huron.

  ---

What This MA Offers You

The MA in Theology will provide a rigorous academic program in theology, exceeding the normal expectations of similar degrees offered in the North American context at intermediate postgraduate level, offering excellent preparation for doctoral research or a superior terminal degree in theology for those not wishing to pursue full doctoral studies. A major characteristic of the degree will be its emphasis on the integration of theological vision and of the theological disciplines.  Develop research skills in written coursework and, particularly, in the preparation of a thesis constituting at least half of the workload you will undertake in the degree, providing an excellent foundation for further study to the doctoral level, or a capstone for an MA taken as a terminal degree.

You can expect to have high levels of personal contact with instructors, fellow students, and thesis supervisors.

MA (Theology) Degree Synopsis/ Course Requirements

5 Half-courses:
     at least two from Group A
     at least two from Group B

Language Requirement

Theology 9513: Research Methology (to be completed by end of Term 2)

25,000-word (100 pp.) thesis 

Detailed program regulations are here.

Terms of Study

Fall term: September-December;
Winter term: January-April;
Summer Term: May-August (Group A courses generally not offered).

Graduate students remain continuously enrolled in programs and are expected to be making academic progress in all three terms each year.

Admission Requirements

a four-year degree in Theology from an accredited institution with a minimum average of 75% (or the equivalent in Religious Studies, where normally the applicant’s studies should have included a major in Western Religion; 

or

a Bachelor’s degree in an allied subject (e.g., Classics, History, English, Philosophy), followed minimally by the equivalent of 12 half-courses (6.0 courseload) in the Master of Theological Studies with a minimum average of 78%

or

a Master of Divinity or Master of Theological Studies degree with a minimum average of 75% in the last two years of study.

or

In exceptional cases, the program may choose to admit students who already have an earned Graduate degree in an allied subject, though only in cases where research interests allow for a natural progression from the earlier program to the new. In such cases, however, a student will minimally be required to Audit specified M.Div./M.T.S. courses during at least the first year of study.  Admission in these cases is probationary, with continued registration being normally contingent on attaining a minimum average of 78% in the first term of study.

or

Probationary admission may also be available to students in other cases, e.g., where student's academic record in Theology or Religious Studies (Western Religion) is outstanding, but the degree is not from an accredited institution.

Proficiency in English if your first language is not English

Application Procedure

You should complete your application through the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC). Click here for a link to UWO's School of Graduate & Post-Doctorate Studies website, where there are further instructions and links to apply.
This application will also require two academic references and transcripts for every university you've attended. You will be able to request Ontario transcripts be sent electronically, but you will need to contact universities elsewhere to arrange for transcripts to be sent to Huron. 

Admission Terms:
Deadline to apply is: normally September; only exceptionally in January

October 30, 2012 for Winter 2013 term.
June 18, 2013 for Fall 2013 term. 

International students should apply well in advance of these deadlines in order to give themselves sufficient time to arrange student visas once accepted.

Financial Aid

Currently, the program offers a $2,000 bursary per academic Term to full-time students, for the six terms of the program. This support can be supplemented by earnings from graduate-level employment, typically at the rate of $15 per hour to a maximum of 10 hours per week, for instance as a Research or Marking Assistant. This support is available both to home and to international students. A $500 bursary is currently given to qualifying part-time students.

Fall 2012 Scholarship Competitions

OGS (Ontario Graduate Scholarship)

UWO Application open:  November 1, 2012 to February 1, 2013
You must apply where you will be holding the grant, and you need to check the school where you will be applying for their application procedure.  Your reference letters must also be submitted by this deadline date.  Please make sure your referees know that.
Details here.

SSHRC (Social Science & Humanities Research Council)
Theology program deadline:  October 31, 2012

Details here.

Theology Course Timetable

Winter 2013

Languages courses are also available in other departments; e.g., French 9005 and German reading at undergraduate level, and students can take courses at other schools (see Taking Courses Elsewhere). 

Taking Courses Elsewhere

Taking courses at undergraduate level (form/regulations here)
Auditting a graduate course (instructions/form  here)
Taking courses at graduate level in another department at UWO (form here)
Taking courses at another university (see Visiting Graduate forms here)

Living in London

London on the globe click here

Major cities a day's drive from London, click here

Video about London, click here

Info about London from the City of London website, click here
Huron driving directions, map,  click here

Other Information/Links Regarding the MA Degree

A great deal of information can be found on the Graduate Studies website, but if you can't find something, please feel free to contact us with your questions.

Info for Canadian Students

Info for International Students

Tuition for Graduate Studies

Financial Aid