Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD)
The doctoral program aims to develop competence that will enable students to make an original contribution to scholarship in a chosen area of specialization. These programs prepare students to teach theology and religious studies in a university or seminary and to do university-level research and writing.
For more information, please consult Advanced Degree Director Dr. Michael Attridge or contact the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies at the Toronto School of Theology.
All St. Michael’s PhD degrees are granted conjointly with the University of Toronto.
First-class standing (3.7 GPA / A- or better) in course work and a thesis. If a thesis was not required for the master’s degree, substantial evidence of research ability (i.e., a 50-page paper) must be submitted with the application.
Language requirements:
For admission into the Historical, Pastoral, and Theological departments, the applicant must be “competent” (normally proven through transcript evidence of successful completion of a one-year university course or its equivalent within the previous four years, or by passing a written examination) in at least one language selected from among ancient or modern languages necessary for their research.
Alternatively, the applicant may be admitted on the condition that he or she will be able to demonstrate competence in at least one of these languages before entering the first year of studies. The TST Advanced Degree Admissions Committee determines the entrance language based on the student’s statement of purpose and previous language study.
Competence in a second language (determined by the supervisory committee) is required before proceeding to the comprehensives stage of the Program, with the provision that at least one language is a language of modern scholarship. A supervisory committee may require a student to demonstrate language skills beyond the above to support research in his or her area of specialization.
N.B. For admission, the Biblical Department requires proficiency (2 years of study) in biblical Hebrew for those specializing in Old Testament studies, together with competence in biblical Greek. Proficiency in biblical Greek is required for those specializing in New Testament studies, together with competence in biblical Hebrew. In addition, competence in one modern language (German, French, Spanish, or Italian) is required. Before beginning the comprehensive examinations, doctoral students in the Biblical Department are required to establish competency in a second modern language and pass examinations demonstrating advanced ability in Greek and Hebrew commensurate with the candidate’s major testament.
For more information on departmental supplemental requirements students should consult the current ThD and PhD Handbook.
We offer up to four scholarships annually to qualified incoming doctoral students in the Faculty of Theology. Each scholarship guarantees $15,000 CAD per year for a period of four years for a total scholarship amount of $60,000 CAD each.
A minimum of two years of full-time residence is required. The student shall complete 12 units of advanced degree work comprising courses and comprehensive exams; the number of each varies by department.
Each student has a doctoral supervisory committee established by his/her department, which works with the student to draw up an individualized program of studies. Half of the required courses must be taken at the 5000 or 7000 level.
In addition, all doctoral students shall take three units of study in areas of significantly different minor interest in their own or another TST department or in a department of the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto. U
pon completion of the course requirements, students take a series of comprehensive examinations which must be completed within three years of initial registration. Within six years of initial registration the student shall submit a doctoral dissertation.