Knox College, Canada

The Master of Divinity prepares students for ordained ministry and for the responsibilities of general pastoral and religious leadership in congregations and other settings. Students of any denomination are welcome to study in the MDiv program at Knox College.

Knox College believes strongly in the importance of relevant and contemporary theological curriculum that will meet the dynamic and complex needs of the multicultural and inter-generational congregations that comprise the Church and in the future. The MDiv program was fully revised in 2024 to incorporate the following themes across the curriculum:

• Ministry in the post-Christendom context
• Ecumenism
• Ecology and theology
• Reconciliation and Indigenous-settler relations
• Gender and sexuality

As well as enhancing traditional expectations concerning biblical and theological knowledge, our outcomes-based education measures competencies in: Christian living; cultural and theological understanding; professional knowledge relating to problem solving and conflict resolution; and moral and spiritual growth.

Students must meet all outcomes to graduate. Consultation with faculty advisors is required so that students take the correct prerequisites and courses. The Master of Divinity degree does not include a biblical language, although there are electives which allow students to take a biblical language.

• An undergraduate degree (some exceptions apply) or equivalent degree from a university, college, or Indigenous Institute recognized by the University of Toronto
• CGPA 2.7/4.0 or greater (70%; B-) for the entire degree

NOTE: If your undergraduate degree was conferred by a post-secondary institution that uses a grading scale other than the 4.0 GPA scale, please review your transcripts to confirm CGPA equivalency before applying to Knox College.

• English-Language Proficiency
• Academic or employer reference and pastoral reference

The Master of Divinity requires the successful completion of thirty courses, which can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

This program can be completed through a hybrid pathway that combines required online courses with required in-person courses:

• full-time in three academic years
• part-time in up to eight years

Approximately half of the program will be taken online and half in-person, with the in-person courses clustered towards the end of the program.

Courses are divided into Introductory and Advanced courses. Introductory courses are offered online, and most are shared with students in the MPS and MTS programs. Courses that are specific to the MDiv program are usually offered only every second year, so students must plan their programs carefully.

The individual courses are outlined in the MDiv Program Tracker.

Master of Divinity program learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate skills in creative, faith-centred, adaptive, and innovative leadership for current and emerging communities of faith.
2. Interpret Scripture and Christian tradition (Reformed), using a variety of methods, sources, and norms, to preach, teach, write, and to provide care and witness.
3. Analyze and evaluate social, cultural, and community contexts to enable communities of faith to participate in God’s work and justice in a diverse and changing world.
4. Enhance the vocational and spiritual development, practices, and well-being of self and others.

Master of Divinity program professional and critical competencies:

To progress through the program and be granted the degree Master of Divinity, a student shall demonstrate the following Professional and Critical Competencies. Students are assessed in their courses and in Theological Field Education in how they demonstrate the competencies.

Christian Living

• The ability and willingness to conduct one’s life in community out of confessed Christian faith.
• The ability and willingness to take personal responsibility for actions and learning, conscientiousness, dependability, honesty, and personal integrity.
• The ability and willingness to act in the best interest of others, and in a principled, ethical fashion.

Attitudes

• The ability and willingness to learn and understand one’s culture, and the cultures and religions of peoples different from oneself.
• The ability and willingness to demonstrate interpersonal and team skills sufficient to take on a variety of roles (including leadership) in a ministerial context.
• The ability and willingness to guide others of diverse backgrounds in various ministry situations.

Critical Knowledge (Use of Knowledge)

• The ability and willingness to think, problem solve and make decisions at a critical level of operation.
• The ability and willingness to use knowledge sufficient for professional levels of interaction.
• The ability and willingness to use thinking, problem solving and decision making to achieve personal, ecclesial, and societal goals.
• The ability and willingness to adapt to change and manage conflict arising from change in socially constructive and professional ways.
• The ability and willingness to identify pastoral boundaries that raise ethical and pastoral questions and to formulate appropriate responses to such boundary issues.

Self-Growth

• The ability and willingness to self-assess and act to improve.
• The ability and willingness to give and take constructive criticism and, if necessary, act on that criticism.
• The ability and commitment for life-long learning.

See Tuition/Financial Aid for helpful information on tuition estimates, bursaries, and scholarships.