Master of Theological Studies in Development
Acquire a biblical foundation and practical skills in community development and social advocacy.
JOIN a diverse Christian community in the heart of Canada’s biggest and most multicultural urban center.
SERVE as a street-level practitioner, social advocate, urban entrepreneur, or non-profit manager.
GAIN hands-on experience in a city church or with one of our non-profit partners.
MTSD Courses (20 credits)
The Master of Theological Studies in Development (MTSD) program provides a thorough and academically rigorous curriculum designed to equip students with both theological insights and development expertise. Here’s a concise summary of the core academic components:
- BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGY COURSES (9 credits)
- Introduction to the Old Testament I
- From the Gospel to the Gospels (New Testament I)
- The God of the Gospel: Systematic Theology I
- Introduction to the Old Testament II or approved alternative
- Who is Jesus? (New Testament II) or approved alternative
- The Bride of the Lamb: Systematic Theology II or approved alternative
- Theologies of Poverty & Development or approved alternative
- History of Christianity or other History alternative
- Facilitation and Workshop Design or Church, Faith, World
- DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATIONS (4 credits)
- International Development: Issues
- Community Development: Theory and Practice
- Urban Poverty & Development
- Electives in Development Foundations (1 credits)
- DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE (3 credits - choose 3 out of 6)
- Community Assessment and Design
- Facilitation and Workshop Design
- Community Development: Tools & Practices
- Leadership and Management
- Grants and Fundraising
- Intercultural Leadership & Learning
- EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MODULE (2 credits)
- MTSD students will engage in a 4-7 month placement at the end of their first year or studies (or equivalent), working with their advisor to select a relevant placement organization. Students will then produce a paper reflecting on this experience.
- SUMMATIVE EXERCISE (2 credits)
- MTSD students will write a summative paper on a topic related to development.
- For details, see M.T.S.D. Summative Exercise Guidelines
Eligibility
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (or equivalent).
English proficiency
Students who have not completed a previous degree in English must demonstrate proficiency through a recognized language exam. For more information, see our international students page or contact our admissions office.
Application deadlines*
June 30 – for a Fall start (September)
October 31 – for a Winter start (January)
*International applicants are encouraged to apply at least eight weeks before the posted deadlines to ensure adequate time for processing study permits.
Domestic MTSD Fees (2024-2025)
- Full-time ancillary fee (4 or more courses): $1216.3 per term
- Part-time ancillary fee (3 or fewer courses): $276.04 per term
International MTSD Fees (2024-2025)
- Tuition per course: $2875.00
- Full-time ancillary fee (4 or more courses): $1216.3 per term
- Part-time ancillary fee (3 or fewer courses): $276.04 per term
- University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP): $756.00 per academic year
The Master of Theological Studies in Development can be completed in 2 years of full-time study or extended up to 8 years, depending on your pace and needs.*
- Students may switch between full-time and part-time formats by term.
- Online, summer, and intensive courses are regularly offered.
- If you are a working professional taking this program on the side, you can consider registering for 1 credit per term (Fall, Winter, Summer). It will take about 6-8 years to complete the degree.
- Gain practical experience through a 4-7 month placement, working with your advisor to select a relevant organization and reflecting on this experience in a final paper.
Combined MTSD/MDiv
It is possible to combine your MTSD with an MDiv. Feel free to speak with our Admissions Office about your options.
*To remain as an active student, simply register for at least 1 credit each academic year, during any term—Fall, Winter, or Summer, with the exception of Approved Leave of Absence. For more information, see Registration Procedures & Policy.
What Will I Prepare For?
Our graduates work as:
- development practitioners
- community leaders
- street-level innovators
- social entrepreneurs
- justice and peace advocates
- NGO managers
- faith-based urban visionaries
Qualifying for Doctoral Study
Students who achieve an "A-" average and develop an academic focus with a thesis during their program may use the MTSD to qualify for doctoral (PhD) study at the Toronto School of Theology. (Note that the DMin has different entry requirements.)
Applicants to the PhD program must provide evidence of reading competence in a minimum of one ancient or modern language necessary for their field of research. See more details here. You can take language courses as free electives during the MTSD program in consultation with your faculty advisor.
MTSD Courses (20 credits)
The Master of Theological Studies in Development (MTSD) program provides a thorough and academically rigorous curriculum designed to equip students with both theological insights and development expertise. Here’s a concise summary of the core academic components:
- BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGY COURSES (9 credits)
- Introduction to the Old Testament I
- From the Gospel to the Gospels (New Testament I)
- The God of the Gospel: Systematic Theology I
- Introduction to the Old Testament II or approved alternative
- Who is Jesus? (New Testament II) or approved alternative
- The Bride of the Lamb: Systematic Theology II or approved alternative
- Theologies of Poverty & Development or approved alternative
- History of Christianity or other History alternative
- Facilitation and Workshop Design or Church, Faith, World
- DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATIONS (4 credits)
- International Development: Issues
- Community Development: Theory and Practice
- Urban Poverty & Development
- Electives in Development Foundations (1 credits)
- DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE (3 credits - choose 3 out of 6)
- Community Assessment and Design
- Facilitation and Workshop Design
- Community Development: Tools & Practices
- Leadership and Management
- Grants and Fundraising
- Intercultural Leadership & Learning
- EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MODULE (2 credits)
- MTSD students will engage in a 4-7 month placement at the end of their first year or studies (or equivalent), working with their advisor to select a relevant placement organization. Students will then produce a paper reflecting on this experience.
- SUMMATIVE EXERCISE (2 credits)
- MTSD students will write a summative paper on a topic related to development.
- For details, see M.T.S.D. Summative Exercise Guidelines
Eligibility
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (or equivalent).
English proficiency
Students who have not completed a previous degree in English must demonstrate proficiency through a recognized language exam. For more information, see our international students page or contact our admissions office.
Application deadlines*
June 30 – for a Fall start (September)
October 31 – for a Winter start (January)
*International applicants are encouraged to apply at least eight weeks before the posted deadlines to ensure adequate time for processing study permits.
Domestic MTSD Fees (2024-2025)
- Full-time ancillary fee (4 or more courses): $1216.3 per term
- Part-time ancillary fee (3 or fewer courses): $276.04 per term
International MTSD Fees (2024-2025)
- Tuition per course: $2875.00
- Full-time ancillary fee (4 or more courses): $1216.3 per term
- Part-time ancillary fee (3 or fewer courses): $276.04 per term
- University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP): $756.00 per academic year
The Master of Theological Studies in Development can be completed in 2 years of full-time study or extended up to 8 years, depending on your pace and needs.*
- Students may switch between full-time and part-time formats by term.
- Online, summer, and intensive courses are regularly offered.
- If you are a working professional taking this program on the side, you can consider registering for 1 credit per term (Fall, Winter, Summer). It will take about 6-8 years to complete the degree.
- Gain practical experience through a 4-7 month placement, working with your advisor to select a relevant organization and reflecting on this experience in a final paper.
Combined MTSD/MDiv
It is possible to combine your MTSD with an MDiv. Feel free to speak with our Admissions Office about your options.
*To remain as an active student, simply register for at least 1 credit each academic year, during any term—Fall, Winter, or Summer, with the exception of Approved Leave of Absence. For more information, see Registration Procedures & Policy.
What Will I Prepare For?
Our graduates work as:
- development practitioners
- community leaders
- street-level innovators
- social entrepreneurs
- justice and peace advocates
- NGO managers
- faith-based urban visionaries
Qualifying for Doctoral Study
Students who achieve an "A-" average and develop an academic focus with a thesis during their program may use the MTSD to qualify for doctoral (PhD) study at the Toronto School of Theology. (Note that the DMin has different entry requirements.)
Applicants to the PhD program must provide evidence of reading competence in a minimum of one ancient or modern language necessary for their field of research. See more details here. You can take language courses as free electives during the MTSD program in consultation with your faculty advisor.
