Joint Degree Programs

The Centre for Christian Studies has joint degree agreements with St. Stephen’s College (Edmonton) and the St. Andrew’s College (part of the Saskatoon Theological Union), allowing students to use their CCS credits toward an academic degree.  CCS students  wishing to pursue a joint degree should apply directly to St. Stephen’s or St. Andrew’s.  We recommend that students decide early in their diaconal training program, and consult with St. Stephen’s or St. Andrew’s staff when choosing externals in order to ensure they are fulfilling the degree requirements.

St. Stephen’s College Master of Theological Studies (Diaconal Ministry specialization)

St. Stephen’s MTS with Diaconal Ministry specialization is an academic-professional degree offered in partnership with the Centre for Christian Studies. In the tradition of diakonia, the Centre for Christian Studies provides students with instruction and applied formation for ministries of education, service, and pastoral care.  Concurrently, at St. Stephen’s College students complete their academic requirements and final research project.

MTS Learning Objectives: 

Students who complete the Master of Theological Studies will:

1. Demonstrate a growing capacity to honour and engage differences in individuals, communities, and social issues
2. Have an increased capacity for spiritual and theological reflection
3. Be able to articulate how leadership engages diverse faith commitments
4. Have demonstrated a capacity for critical thought and cogent communication

In addition, students in the Diaconal Ministry specialization will:

• Demonstrate capacity to articulate and embody their vocational identity in the tradition ofdiakonia;
• Demonstrate skills in diaconal ministry practice, particularly with respect to ministries of education, service, and pastoral care;
• Demonstrate capacity to think deeply, critically, and experientially concerning diaconal ministry.

Length of Program:

Students taking a full course load can complete the MTS (Faith and Culture, Spiritual Care, and Contemplation streams) in three years, or the MTS (Diaconal Ministry streams) in four years (note: the MTS-Diac requires concurrent enrolment in the Diploma in Diaconal Ministries at the Centre for Christian Studies).  Many students take between four to six years to complete the degree (depending on their stream and life circumstances).  All MTS students must complete all requirements within seven years from the date on which they register in the program. Extensions beyond the seventh year are considered in exceptional circumstances (see Program Extensions policy).

Requirements of St. Stephen’s College MTS (Diaconal Ministry specialization)

Core Courses (15 Cr)

• Collegium (enrolled for 3 years)
• Graduate Academic Skills (SSC 579)
• Introduction to Theology: Wisdom and Interreligious Theology (SSC 511)
• Intro to Christian Scriptures (SSC 505)
• Equivalency Credited granted on basis of CCS Diploma (Global Perspectives Experience, Education and Worship learning circles, and Education and Worship-themed field placement)
• Equivalency Credited granted on basis of CCS Diploma (Social Justice learning circles and Social Justice-themed field placement)

Diaconal Ministry Specialization (21 Cr)

• Five of the Six Listed Courses
  • Special Topics in Christian Scriptures (SSC 5027)
  • Special Topics in Theology (SSC 5153) or Intersectional Theology (SSC 5154)
  • Intro to Hebrew Scriptures (SSC 501)
  • Special Topics in Hebrew Scriptures (SSC 5026)
  • Introduction to Church History (SSC 521)
  • Introduction to Ethics (SSC 513)
• Equivalency Credited granted on basis of CCS Diploma (Spiritual Care learning circles and Spiritual Care-themed field placement)
• Equivalency Credited granted on basis of CCS Diploma (Diaconal Mentoring and Integration Year learning circles)

Final Writing Project (6 or 12 Cr)

• Inquiry, Research, and Evaluation (SSC 5710)
• Culminating Paper (3 Cr) or Thesis (9Cr)

St. Andrew’s College Master of Theological Studies (Dual Program)

An agreement between St. Andrew’s College and CCS provides for a program of study that leads to the Master of Theological Studies degree from St. Andrew’s following the Diploma in Diaconal Ministries from CCS. The MTS is conferred only after completion of the CCS Diploma and the additional requirements set out by SAC and described below.

Requirements of St. Andrew’s MTS (Dual Program with CCS)

• CCS Diploma in Diaconal Ministries, credited by St. Andrew’s as equivalent of previous extensive study in theology, allowing admission into a reduced credit MTS degree. For the purposes of the MTS, the CCS Diploma will be considered the equivalent to a “major area of study.” (CCS students are exempt from the SAC100 Vocational Development requirement.)
• Courses in MTS program for CCS externals (21cr)
  • FND106 God in our suffering (Intro Theology external)
  • FND103 Introduction to Biblical Literature (Intro Christian Scriptures or Intro Hebrew Scriptures external)
  • Level II/III course theology (Theology specific external)
  • Level II Bible (Christian Scripture specific external)
  • Level II Bible (Hebrew Scriptures specific external)
  • AIC250 Practices for Ethical Reflection (Christian Ethics external)
  • FND101 What is the Good News? A Historical Approach or SAC101 UCC in Context (Church History external)
• CLQ101 Methods Colloquium (3cr)
• CAP390 MTS Capstone (3cr)
• Elective Course credits (9cr) (At least one elective will normally fulfill the 8th external course requirement for the CCS Diploma.)
• Honours option: MTS Thesis (6cr) in place of CAP390 (3cr) and Elective (3cr); all other normal MTS Honours program requirements apply.

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For more information about these degree options, contact the CCS registrar or the registrar of St. Stephen’s or St. Andrew’s.