Master of Arts Theology & Ministry

Review McMaster Divinity College’s Statement of Faith.

Applicants will need to provide a personal statement (max. 2 pages) commenting on:

What is your Christian experience?
What are some of the most significant learning experiences that you have had (formal or informal)?
What is the nature of your present local church involvement and/or para-church involvement?
What are your ministry and/or professional goals?
How do you expect to contribute to the church and society through your future ministry?
How do you expect McMaster Divinity College will help you with your ministry and professional development?

You will be required to submit the names and contact information for your references in your application. References must be confidential. Please forward the appropriate reference form link (below) to your referees who will complete the form for direct submission to our Admissions Office.

For this program, applicants must submit:

• One academic references
• One pastoral reference
• One character reference

There is no fee required for domestic students if application is submitted prior to the application deadlines listed below.

A late fee of $50.00 is required for those applying after the application deadline.

International students must pay an international application fee, see “Special Requirements for Visa/International Applicants” below.

After submitting your application, please request official transcripts for all post-secondary education from your institution. Transcripts should be sent in original sealed envelope or official digital transcript to divadmit@mcmaster.ca or by mail to:

McMaster Divinity College
Admissions Dept
1280 Main St W
Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1

For students whose first language is not English, a TOEFL certificate with a minimum score of 92 IBT is required.

If submitted documents (including transcripts) are not in English, you maybe required to submit an official translation of these documents (WES evaluation may be requested).

Students who do not possess a passport from a North American country must pay an application fee of $125.00 (CAD).

Students relocating to Canada will be required to submit a copy of their Canadian study permit before registration.

Specializations are made up of a minimum of six approved one-term core courses (18 units) for the MDiv or MA (Theology and Ministry), and do not have to fall within a single division. Students are encouraged to tailor their specializations to their own needs, in consultation with their advisors. There is a default specialization for the MDiv and for the MA (Theology and Ministry), as well as the opportunity (in consultation with the Academic Dean) to create one’s own specialization suited to unique ministry needs.

Choose from General, Old Testament (OT), or New Testament (NT).

This specialization includes courses in biblical studies, either language-based or not, in either a mix of the testaments (General) or one or other of the testaments (minimum of four of six courses). This specialization is designed for all forms of ministry emphasizing strong biblical content, including preaching and teaching pastors.

At the end of their program, students in this specialization will be able to:

• Have comprehensive general knowledge of the content of the Bible and its relevant contexts, including familiarity with historical, literary, and canonical issues.
• Understand and use the tools of biblical scholarship and critically engage significant publications.
• Be familiar with various critical methods of contemporary biblical scholarship.
• Prepare exegetically responsible material for teaching or preaching, drawing on original languages as able.
• Have knowledge of the history of biblical studies and awareness of current issues in the field.

This specialization addresses the interface of the Church and the contemporary world, and includes courses in Christianity and culture, missions, development, evangelism, the emerging church, cultural context, preaching, worship, and related approved courses. This specialization is designed for youth pastors, worship pastors, denominational leaders, church planters, cross-cultural ministry, NGO work, and other developmental and culturally sensitive ministries.

At the end of their program, students in this specialization will be able to:

• Integrate biblical and theological knowledge in a contextualized way.
• Assess and articulate what is happening in contemporary culture.
• Address cultural issues from a distinctively Christian point of view.
• Be familiar with tools and methods that identify and analyze cultural distinctives.
• Be equipped to interface with a variety of cultures and within a multi-cultural context.

This specialization includes courses in spiritual counselling, spiritual care, chaplaincy, and related approved courses. Many of these specialization courses are offered during the summer term. This specialization is designed for military, hospital, and community chaplaincy, associate pastors with family ministry responsibilities, NGO work, and various types of social ministries.

At the end of their program, students in this specialization will be able to:

• Oversee spiritual care in a church or parachurch context.
• Identify and develop core skills in spiritual care – foundational skills in listening, intervention, crisis care, etc.
• Have foundational training for chaplaincy ministry.
• Develop the necessary framework for effective pastoral intervention in crisis.
• Have a working understanding of ethical issues in spiritual care.

This is the default specialization for the MA (Theology & Ministry).

Previously Christian Worldview and Christian Thought and History, our combined Christian History and Worldview specialization includes a mix of courses in multiple areas of ministry focusing on theology and Christian history and worldview. This specialization is designed for all forms of ministry emphasizing advanced theological competence, Christian history and history, including teaching pastors, para-church ministries, and lay ministry leadership.

At the end of their program, students in this specialization will be able to:

• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of key figures and movements in Christian history and theology.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to issues in evangelical thought, history, and practice.

This is the default specialization for the MDiv.

This specialization includes an unspecified mix of courses in any area or areas of the curriculum that the student believes are required for ministry, including at least one course in preaching. This specialization is designed for senior/associate pastors, lead pastors, and other full-time vocational ministers with primarily leadership responsibilities. This option allows the greatest flexibility in terms of required focus courses, development of personalized studies that suit the vocational aims of the student, and an optimized use of available courses in regular format, weekend format, hybrid courses, and summer module courses.

At the end of their program, students in this specialization will be able to:

• Formulate and implement appropriate leadership strategies for pastoral ministry.
• Make practical and ethical decisions on the basis of a coherent Christian worldview.
• Foster spiritual skills and competencies on the part of others.
• Identify and nurture a range of spiritual temperaments.
• Communicate Christian principles, values, and worldview.
• Apply the lessons of Christian history and theological perspective to contemporary life, thought, and ministry.
• Develop a cognitive framework for reflectively engaging with all aspects of creation and culture.
• Engage and dialogue with other worldviews (hermeneutical, global, religious, creedal, ethnic).
• Have an increased awareness of how church history and tradition are formative in the development of one’s worldview.