Christian Spirituality – This degree is for those seeking to explore theories and practice of spirituality within the Judeo-Christian tradition. A significant number of required courses for this degree are available through VST’s Chalmers Summer School. Students may choose to write either a thesis or a comprehensive examination as their evaluation tool. This programme is 60 credit hours (including the Foundational Courses).

Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction – The M.A.T.S. with a specialization in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction is for those seeking to develop skill in the art of spiritual direction in addition to a solid grounding in Judeo-Christian spirituality. This degree may also enhance the ministry of clergy, chaplains, counselors, spiritual directors or other people in helping professions. Opportunity is given both to practice and to experience spiritual direction in the practicums in this programme. Courses for this programme are available also through VST’s Chalmers Institute Summer School. This programme is 81 credit hours (21 credits beyond the M.A.T.S. concentration in Spirituality).

Please note that this degree is not a license to practice spiritual direction, nor is it training for private practice. For private practice more extensive supervision is necessary.

History and Theology – For those with a passion for history and theology, this programme offers an opportunity to explore historical and constructive dimensions of the contemporary theological imagination. Students may choose between a thesis and a final examination as their evaluation tool. This programme is 60 credit hours (including the Foundational Courses).

Integrative Studies – A generalist’s choice, this concentration allows study in all of the above subject areas and equips the degree-holder with a broad base of knowledge in Theological Studies. Either a thesis or a comprehensive examination integrating the areas of study will be the final evaluation tool. This degree is 60 credit hours (including the Foundational Courses).

Length of Programme
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree is intended to be a two-year degree. However, if a student wishes to study part time, all courses required for this degree must be completed in seven years from the date of registration. An M.A.T.S. student can expect that a typical workload within a Master’s level course will be, depending upon the subject matter and course style, up to 100 – 125 pages of reading per week per 3 credit course and that evaluation will be made (in addition to seminar preparation and participation) on the basis of a 25 – 30 page research paper or its equivalent.

Admissions
Please see Admissions.

Options
Students selecting the Biblical Studies or History and Theology concentrations will be required to specify their area of study further. Options include Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Historical Theology, Constructive Theology, Religious Pluralism and History of Christianity. Students will take at least two electives in their specific area of study.

All M.A.T.S. students will be required to participate in an inter-disciplinary M.A.T.S. Research Methods Colloquium. This seminar will provide methodological tools and research skills as well as an environment of critical enquiry and mutual accountability.

M.A.T.S. students will also choose between a thesis option and a written integrating comprehensive exam as their final evaluation tool. This choice will be declared after the completion of 24 credit hours.

Thesis Guidelines
• Students will be granted 6 credits in the preparation and successful completion of a thesis. Registration may take place over two terms (3 credit hours/term). A thesis is expected to be approximately 75 pages or 18,750 words in length.

• The topic of the thesis is to be chosen by the candidate in consultation with the MA Director and the proposed Thesis Director. The division in which a student intends to concentrate will appoint a Thesis Director who is the primary consultant, reader and evaluator of the thesis. The MA Director will serve as the second reader.

• A Master of Arts thesis should formulate a significant problem in the field of the student’s concentration, demonstrate a mastery of the major primary and secondary sources and show the capacity to deal with the problem using appropriate methodologies and research techniques.

• The M.A.T.S. thesis is to be submitted to the Thesis Director and MA Director no later than the seventh week of the student’s final term. Once the directors have jointly approved the thesis, the thesis must be submitted to the Registrar. Once the Registrar has recorded the thesis completion, the Registrar will turn over the document to VST’s Librarian – in advance of the student’s graduation.

Comprehensive Examination Guidelines
• The division in which a student intends to concentrate will appoint a Study Advisor to help the student develop his or her programme of study; in the case of the Integrative Studies concentration, the MA Director will appoint a Study Advisor. This Study Advisor is also the person to prepare the examination of the student; the MA Director is typically the second reader.

• A student who elects the Comprehensive Examination option will take two additional electives within the division of his or her concentration.

• The examination is set and administered during the final term of the student’s programme of study – preferably within 10 weeks of the 13-week term. The Study Advisor prepares four to six questions relevant to the student’s area of concentration (in the case of Integrative Studies, these questions will be drawn from individual areas in which the student has studied); the student responds to the questions on the exam within the space of no more than six hours in total – arranged in appropriate blocks or sittings. No notes or texts are allowed unless a student is asked to exegete passages, in which case the division will specify the necessary resource texts.

Cross-registration at UBC/Regent College/St. Mark’s College
VST has a relationship with UBC’s Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies (CNRS) Department that allows VST students to take graduate courses offered by that department as electives. For a course listing and detailed descriptions, please see the CNRS Department website (www.cnrs.ubc.ca). Students are also welcome to take advantage of course offerings at Regent College and St. Mark’s College. Please see their websites (www.regent-college.edu or www.stmarkscollege.ca ) for more details.

Course Requirements for Master of Arts in Theological Studies Degree

If you would like additional information about studying at VST, please use our Request for Information form.