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Program Overview

In partnership with the Toronto School of Theology, Knox College provides the opportunity for more advanced work in areas of interest to our students. All Graduate Degrees are offered through the Toronto School of Theology (TST), and students are required to register at one of the TST Colleges. Knox College is one of the seven TST Colleges. Administration of the graduate program is a joint responsibility of TST and the particular College. Graduate programs at Knox include two master’s programs (MA and ThM) and two doctoral programs (PhD and DMin).

The Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (PhD) is a research doctorate undertaken in a specialized area of study. Program requirements include meeting research language requirements in two languages, course work, general examinations, and a thesis which makes an original contribution. Find a full program description here on the TST website.

Admission Requirements

Admissions to this program are overseen by the Graduate Center for Theological Studies (GCTS) at the Toronto School of Theology (TST). Interested applicants must submit a Graduate Degree Program Application through the GCTS at TST.

Application, Admissions, and related deadlines are posted on the TST website at www.tst.edu/applying-graduate-degree-program. Please contact inquiries@tst.edu for more information and assistance.

Program Outcomes

Doctor of Philosophy program learning outcomes
Students will demonstrate:
1. Expertise in one theological area of focus, engaging with other areas of focus as appropriate.
2. Ability to practice pedagogical excellence in an academic, ecumenical, intercultural and multi-religious context.
3. Capacity to carry out original research at an advanced level.

Knox College Doctor of Philosophy in Theology Fellowship

Each year, up to two Knox College PhD Fellowships are offered to entering students.

We encourage interested applicants with research projects to email with Knox Admissions to be connected with a potential fellowship supervisors.

Each fellowship recipient receives $40,000 per annum for four years under the following disbursement structure:

Year of Program Study Stipend Amount TA/RA Employment Amount
Year 1 $40,000 $0
Year 2 $30,000 $10,000
Year 3 $30,000 $10,000
Year 4 $30,000 $10,000
  Stipend Only Total $130,000 TA/RA Employment Total $30,000
Stipend and TA/RA Employment Total $160,000*

 

*This total is subject to the recipient meeting the terms and conditions. Should a recipient not accept a TA/RA employment, they would only receive the stipend only total amount.

Explanation of Stipend and Employment Structure:

Year 1: Fellowship recipient receives $40,000 stipend

Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4: Fellowship recipient receives $30,000 stipend and $10,000 through teaching or research assistant employment in both fall and winter terms. In the event a fellowship recipient declines work, they would only receive the $30,000 stipend.

Year 5 (if required): A fellowship recipient may apply for a final year scholarship that would offset the cost of domestic tuition for the year. They would also be eligible to apply for a TA/RA position at the current posting pay rate.

Any subsequent years of study require the student to apply for a TA/RA position at the current posting pay rate, but a position is not guaranteed.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • The funding requires students to register full-time throughout the course of their program, including the summer term
  • Recipients must devote full attention to studies
  • Studies are required to agree to work for 10 hours or less per week (520 hours per year), including teaching or research assistantship work
  • Recipients must achieve successful academic progress and be on track for timely program completion

Fellowship recipients must meet the timeline as laid out in Section C1.3 (“Time Frame”) of the TST Graduate Conjoint Degree Handbook. Should any of the following deadlines not be observed, funding will not be renewed in the subsequent academic year(s):

  • Year 2 completion of coursework by January 1
  • Year 3 completion of approved thesis prospectus and completion of general examinations by August 31

A student may petition for an exception if there is compelling extenuating circumstances to the Knox College Director of Graduate Studies.

If a recipient is granted a Leave of Absence, the fellowship funds will not be disbursed for the duration of the leave. The funding period will be extended by the length of the leave, the student is eligible for four years of fellowship funding during their degree provided the conditions are met.

All applicants to the PhD program at Knox College who propose projects in the areas of research study listed will be considered. Application to the PhD program must be made through the Toronto School of Theology, with “Knox College” selected as the home college. Only complete applications will be considered for eligibility at the time of admission. Fellowship recipients will be notified by Knox College directly following an Offer of Admission.

Tuition Basics

For full tuition details and bursary information, visit our Tuition/Financial Aid page.