Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies

Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies

Conduct original research coupled with advanced preparation for a career in the academy or the church.

LEARN from highly respected faculty committed to Christ and Scripture.

 

CONDUCT RESEARCH in one of North America’s 5 largest academic library systems.

 

GRADUATE with a degree awarded jointly by Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto.
PhD
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies
Price per year (domestic)
$6,210
Completed in
4-6 years
Courses
2 core courses
6 electives
Online option
None

Courses

  • Core courses (2):
    • Research and Scholarship
    • Area Studies and Course Design
  • Methodological course (1)
  • Elective courses (5)
    • At least four of the student’s total courses (incl. required courses) must be taken at the 5000-level or 7000-level.

Languages

Every doctoral student must demonstrate competence in at least two languages in addition to English. These may be selected from among ancient languages or modern languages necessary for their research, but at least one language must be a modern language.

Thesis Prospectus

750-950 words plus a bibliography.

General Examinations

One Specialist Exam and one Cognate Area Exam

Thesis Proposal

Maximum 4,000 words

Thesis

Maximum 80,000 words. Supervised primarily by a member of the Wycliffe College faculty alongside two other committee members.

Oral Examination

All doctoral theses will be examined orally by the student's committee plus one external examiner and one member of the University of Toronto faculty.

For more information, see the TST Graduate Conjoint Degree Handbook (section C).

 

An applicant is required to have an appropriate master’s degree in theology from an accredited institution, with at least A- (3.7/4.0 CGPA) standing, or equivalent. The following are recognized academic master's degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Religion, Master of Theology, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity. If a student’s program included a research component (research paper, thesis), a grade of at least A- (3.7/4.0 CGPA), or equivalent, also is required for this work.

Students applying to the program are required to provide evidence of reading competence in one ancient or modern language necessary for their research. Additional language preparation is required for admission in cases where the primary sources for the proposed area of study are in a language other than English. See Handbook for details.

For full eligibility requirements, visit the TST website.

Application deadlines:
First round applications are typically due in December.  Space permitting, a second round opens in the Winter.  See details here.

Domestic PhD Fees (2024-2025)

  • Tuition: $6210.00 per academic year
  • Ancillary fee: $880.26 per academic year

International PhD Fees (2024-2025)

  • Tuition: $27,530.00 per academic year
  • Ancillary fee: $880.26 per academic year
  • University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP): $756.00 per academic year

Financial Aid

Major scholarships are available for both domestic and international students, including the Thompson Doctoral Fellowship and Weston Doctoral Entrance Scholarships. The William and Virginia Leach Full Tuition Scholarship covers 100% of tuition costs for 4 years for domestic students demonstrating financial need.

TST’s graduate faculty have specializations in a wide variety of areas of study. Prospective students will identify topics that connect with faculty in specializations within or across these areas:

  • The study of sacred and canonical texts, specifically, the Old Testament (or Hebrew Bible) or the New Testament (both involving languages; historical contexts and processes of development; related literature; subsequent theological interpretation, pastoral function and social effects).
  • The study of articulated structures of belief – the structures, contents, premises, and implications of Christian belief and practice (foundational theology; systematic theology; historical theology; theological ethics; and philosophical theology).
  • The study of the history of Christianity, understood in the broadest sense to include the variety of Christian traditions over the ages and throughout the world.
  • The study of ecclesiastical practices (liturgy, homiletics, education and formation, pastoral care, spirituality), pastoral and other religious leadership, and the social organizations in which these occur (such as congregations, faith-based organizations, ecclesial bodies, and ecumenical and interfaith organizations).
  • The study of the Christian faith in its relations with wider social and cultural contexts (social ethics; aesthetics; cultural studies; contextual theology; religion in the public sphere; comparative theology; and inter-faith dialogue)

Graduates are equipped to teach in universities and seminaries as well as to serve in positions of ecclesiastical leadership, benefiting from TST’s unique ecumenical and interdisciplinary context. Wycliffe doctoral students have gone on to serve in the academy, church, Christian publication, missions, and other fields.

Courses

  • Core courses (2):
    • Research and Scholarship
    • Area Studies and Course Design
  • Methodological course (1)
  • Elective courses (5)
    • At least four of the student’s total courses (incl. required courses) must be taken at the 5000-level or 7000-level.

Languages

Every doctoral student must demonstrate competence in at least two languages in addition to English. These may be selected from among ancient languages or modern languages necessary for their research, but at least one language must be a modern language.

Thesis Prospectus

750-950 words plus a bibliography.

General Examinations

One Specialist Exam and one Cognate Area Exam

Thesis Proposal

Maximum 4,000 words

Thesis

Maximum 80,000 words. Supervised primarily by a member of the Wycliffe College faculty alongside two other committee members.

Oral Examination

All doctoral theses will be examined orally by the student's committee plus one external examiner and one member of the University of Toronto faculty.

For more information, see the TST Graduate Conjoint Degree Handbook (section C).

 

An applicant is required to have an appropriate master’s degree in theology from an accredited institution, with at least A- (3.7/4.0 CGPA) standing, or equivalent. The following are recognized academic master's degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Religion, Master of Theology, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity. If a student’s program included a research component (research paper, thesis), a grade of at least A- (3.7/4.0 CGPA), or equivalent, also is required for this work.

Students applying to the program are required to provide evidence of reading competence in one ancient or modern language necessary for their research. Additional language preparation is required for admission in cases where the primary sources for the proposed area of study are in a language other than English. See Handbook for details.

For full eligibility requirements, visit the TST website.

Application deadlines:
First round applications are typically due in December.  Space permitting, a second round opens in the Winter.  See details here.

Domestic PhD Fees (2024-2025)

  • Tuition: $6210.00 per academic year
  • Ancillary fee: $880.26 per academic year

International PhD Fees (2024-2025)

  • Tuition: $27,530.00 per academic year
  • Ancillary fee: $880.26 per academic year
  • University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP): $756.00 per academic year

Financial Aid

Major scholarships are available for both domestic and international students, including the Thompson Doctoral Fellowship and Weston Doctoral Entrance Scholarships. The William and Virginia Leach Full Tuition Scholarship covers 100% of tuition costs for 4 years for domestic students demonstrating financial need.

TST’s graduate faculty have specializations in a wide variety of areas of study. Prospective students will identify topics that connect with faculty in specializations within or across these areas:

  • The study of sacred and canonical texts, specifically, the Old Testament (or Hebrew Bible) or the New Testament (both involving languages; historical contexts and processes of development; related literature; subsequent theological interpretation, pastoral function and social effects).
  • The study of articulated structures of belief – the structures, contents, premises, and implications of Christian belief and practice (foundational theology; systematic theology; historical theology; theological ethics; and philosophical theology).
  • The study of the history of Christianity, understood in the broadest sense to include the variety of Christian traditions over the ages and throughout the world.
  • The study of ecclesiastical practices (liturgy, homiletics, education and formation, pastoral care, spirituality), pastoral and other religious leadership, and the social organizations in which these occur (such as congregations, faith-based organizations, ecclesial bodies, and ecumenical and interfaith organizations).
  • The study of the Christian faith in its relations with wider social and cultural contexts (social ethics; aesthetics; cultural studies; contextual theology; religion in the public sphere; comparative theology; and inter-faith dialogue)

Graduates are equipped to teach in universities and seminaries as well as to serve in positions of ecclesiastical leadership, benefiting from TST’s unique ecumenical and interdisciplinary context. Wycliffe doctoral students have gone on to serve in the academy, church, Christian publication, missions, and other fields.