Intellectual Formation - To foster a specialized or professional competence in theology and the religious sciences.

Objectives

• To gain a specialized knowledge in one of the following four areas; Foundational Theology, Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, and Moral/Spiritual Theology.
• To be able to understand and apply advanced methods of theological and/or scriptural research.
• To complete a thesis which demonstrates a capacity for future doctoral work.
• To be able to use primary sources in the original languages relevant to the area of research.
• To be able to explain and defend the research results.

The requirements for admission to the M.Th. program are:

• A M.Div. degree from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (A.T.S.).
• A probationary year of four Master’s level courses with a minimum average of 3.3 (B+) for those candidates whose M.Div. or equivalent is not recognized by the A.T.S.
• A grade point average of 3.30 (B+) on all courses counting towards the M.Div. degree.
• Reading competency in at least one modern or classical language depending on one’s area of study.

NOTE: Language requirements may be met within the program, but applicants are encouraged to acquire language competency prior to admission.

Applicants presenting a two-year M.T.S. degree from an accredited A.T.S. institution must complete an additional 30 credits in graduate level courses before admission to the M.Th. program will be considered. These additional courses will not be counted for credit towards the M.Th. degree.  At present we are not able to offer Distance Education courses to residents of the U.S.A., but we welcome inquiries from anyone so interested.

This program is a Designated Learning Program and eligible to receive foreign nationals on a study permit.  See International Student Admissions for DLI number.

• Apply through our online application portal and pay the non-refundable application fee (see Tuition and Fees).
• Arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office from all high school and post-secondary institutions attended. An official transcript is one that has been received by the Registrar’s Office directly from the issuing educational authority. No photocopies allowed.
• Personal autobiography and curriculum vitae. Autobiography should include research interests and area of specialization.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the character and intellectual ability of the applicant. Letters must be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office.

Transcripts or references issued directly to the student or photocopies will not be accepted. When the Registrar’s Office has received all required documents, the applicant's file will be brought forward to the Admissions & Evaluation Committee for consideration.

The M.Th. degree is awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

• MTH 604 Research & Methodology in Theology (3 credits) or BST 635 Research and Methodology in Biblical Studies (3 credits).
• Area of concentration (12 credits);
• Electives (6 credits);
• MTH 805 Bibliographical Study & Thesis proposal (3 credits);
• MTH 902/903 Thesis & Thesis Defence (6 credits).

A GPA of 3.30 or better must be maintained to continue in the program. All requirements for the degree must be completed within 5 years from the date of registering in the program. For extreme circumstances, the Academic Dean may grant an extension to this limit.

The Academic Dean, in consultation with the student, will ask a NTC faculty member to be the director for the program and thesis. Directors will guide and assist students in selecting suitable courses and in completing the thesis work.

M.Th. candidates must take at least 15 of the 21 required course credits in Methodology, area of concentration and general electives at NTC. All requirements for credit in the M.Th. program are met through 500/600 level courses and special 800 level reading research courses, arranged at the suggestion of the students’ Director and with the approval of the Academic Dean. It is recommended that M.Th. students take the 600 level courses in their major area of concentration

The thesis should be between 75 to 100 pages in length, excluding bibliography, and must be a topic within the candidate’s major area of concentration.

For details on M.Th. thesis, refer to the Master of Theology Program: A Guide for Students and Professors, available from the Registrar’s Office.

General Outline

12 course credits at the 500/600/800 level in area of concentration (chosen in consultation with the program director) See Course Descriptions.

6 elective course credits at the 500/600/800 level (chosen in consultation with the program director) See Course Descriptions

AND

BST 635  Research and Methodology in Biblical Studies

MTH 604 Research and Methodology Theology

AND

MTH 805  Bibliographical Study and Thesis Proposal

MTH 902/903 Thesis and Thesis Defense

For details on M.Th. thesis, refer to the Master of Theology Program: A Guide for Students and Professors, available from the Registrar’s Office.

The program shall be undertaken chiefly in courses offered at our main campus with the appropriate research library resources and a sufficient number of students to provide a peer community for mutual criticism and stimulus. 

Many of our graduates from the Master of Theology program go on to doctorate level studies in Canada, the United States and Europe. Other M.Th. graduates have found employment in retreat work, adult faith formation, as diocesan directors, or in theological education.

Years spent at Newman were very fruitful for me both academically and personally.  I learned much about the theological traditions of the church and was well prepared for doctoral studies in the United States.  The classes also encouraged me to reflect on my own faith and the beliefs of the church.  Overall, I was guided to consider what it means to be a Christian in the twenty-first century.  I will always be thankful for my time of study, prayer and community life at NTC. 

Matt Hoven, M.Div., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Religion and Education, St. Joseph's College, University of Alberta (NTC Alumnus, M.Th. 2005)

After completing my M.A. in theology and intending to apply for a doctorate, I sensed a gap that needed to be filled in.  With that I began to explore the possibility of an M.Th. degree.  Since the Master of Theology degree is rare among Catholic faculties in the United States, I made the move from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkley to Newman Theological College in Edmonton.  The combination of a first-rate library (and an immensely helpful librarian), a superb faculty, affordability, and the space to conduct independent, intense research made my time at Newman Theological College most worthwhile.  Not only that, but as a significant centre of theological studies in Western Canada, Newman provided me with invaluable contacts with many other pastors and theologians who have accompanied me on my journey to know more deeply the Lord Jesus and to serve better His Church, especially in the ministry of evangelisation and catechesis.  For anyone considering a doctorate, especially, I would strongly suggest a stopover with Newman's Master of Theology degree programme.  I have never regretted my time at Newman, and if I could do it again, I would.

Fr. Matthew Hysell, M.A., M.Th., Assistant Pastor at St. Theresa and Corpus Christi Parishes; St. Mark's Community of the Deaf, Metropolitan Archdiocese of Edmonton, AB (NTC Alumnus, M.Th. 2009)

More Testimonials

Tuition and Fees (per term) - 2023/2024

*Full-time student fees include Administration fee, Library fee and Students' Association fee.