The Master of Divinity degree is the traditional degree to prepare persons for ordained ministry, and for general pastoral and religious leadership responsibilities in congregations and other settings. It is the required degree for admission to the Doctor of Ministry degree programs, and the recommended first theological degree for admission to advanced programs orientated to theological research and teaching e.g., the Master of Theology (ThM).
The MDiv degree seeks to give students a breadth of exposure to the theological disciplines as well as a depth of understanding within those disciplines. It educates students for a range of ministry responsibilities and skills by providing opportunities for the appropriation of theological disciplines, for deepening understanding of the life of the church, for ongoing intellectual and ministerial formation, and for exercising the arts of ministry.
All MDiv students are required to complete core courses in the areas of Bible, theology, church history, missions, leadership development, spiritual formation and ministry practices. In addition, MDiv students are required to complete a prescribed sequence of courses including a year-long internship in one of the following majors:
Students may choose to do a double majors, provided both sequences of majors courses are completed as well as both internships for each majors.
In addition to the required sequence of majors courses, students may opt to complete a four-course minor in one of the following areas: Biblical Languages, Biblical Studies, Church History, Counselling, Educational Ministries, Missions, Pastoral Ministry, Pastoral and Chinese Ministry,Pentecostal Studies, Spiritual Formation, Theological Studies or Youth and Family Ministry.
The Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies provides students with a broad exposure to the Scriptures, its major theological themes, history, and content, Hebrew and Greek, and advanced methods of interpretation. The major will equip students to be effective and faithful readers, expositors, and interpreters of Scripture in a variety of ministry contexts.
For information regarding the Biblical Studies major, please contact Dr. Rebecca Idestrom at ridestrom [at] tyndale [dot] ca or by phone: (416) 226-6620 ext. 6771.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Biblical Studies (4)
Electives (4)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
The MDiv in Counselling provides educational preparation for students interested in counselling ministries in congregational settings or in the marketplace. A hallmark of the counselling program is a dual focus on theological and psychological understanding of human personhood and the therapeutic process.
Applicants who sense a call to counselling ministries are advised to investigate the accreditation requirements in their area of professional interest (e.g., type of degree, accreditation required, clinical experience needed, registration with a particular professional association, etc.) before enrolling in the MDiv counselling major. Public and private counselling agencies, as well as denominational pastoral counsellors and chaplains, often have credentialing standards that must be met.
The Counseling major has two tracks: The Clinical Track and the Pastoral Care and Counselling Track. The tracks are designed to prepare students for differing ministry specialization. Students will need to choose their track by the end of first year.
Clinical Track
The Clinical Track is intended for those who are seeking to become credentialed in the Province of Ontario to offer psychotherapy in agencies (secular or Christian) or in private practice. The training would lead towards preparing graduates to practice psychotherapy with clients who are struggling with internal and interpersonal issues that require in-depth, longer-term therapy.
Tyndale Seminary's Counselling program provides educational preparation, but not certification, as a counsellor/therapist. Further clinical experience and supervision will be required post-graduation to obtain professional accreditation with a certifying body.
Students who plan to pursue certification with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) should consult with Dr. Scuse early in their program regarding membership criteria.
Any inquiries related to the Counselling major may be directed to Susan Ellfeldt through e-mail at sellfeldt [at] tyndale [dot] ca, or by phone (416) 226-6620 ext. 6787.
Program Requirements for Clinical Track:
Biblical Studies (4)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (3)
Courses for Major in Counselling (10)
Counselling Electives (5)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
Pastoral Care and Counselling Track
This track will focus on short term pastoral counselling around issues such as family and life crisis and other difficult life circumstances and transitions. Deeper psychotherapy would not be part of this work. Students in this track will have the flexibility to select electives to prepare them for leadership in congregational care and counselling ministries or chaplaincy.
Program Requirements for Pastoral Care and Counselling Track are the same as the Clinical Track in the Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian History and Ministry Formation.
Courses for Major in Pastoral Care and Counselling Track (8)
Free Electives (7)
(Electives to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
All applications to the MDiv counselling major (both new and transfer students) must be received by May 1st of each year. Admission criteria include relevant academic training, vocational goals that align with the program, and any counselling-related experience. All applicants will be interviewed by the Major Coordinator and/or a counselling faculty member in May and June. Acceptance notifications will be released by the end of June.
This program does not allow for Winter term admissions. Students who are accepted to the Seminary during other times in the year may take courses in Bible, History and Theology and those counseling courses which are open to the entire community. Students wishing to transfer into the counselling major must follow the same application procedures as new students.
A two-semester internship in a counselling setting (approximately 15 hours per week) is required in the third year of the program. Second-year students prepare for the internship by taking a counselling skills lab, three hours per week, in both semesters of the academic year.
The MDiv in Educational Ministry prepares students for service within a local church or church related ministry. Through the integration of foundational and practical courses, it is designed to provide a growing awareness of educational issues in these contexts and the leadership to address them.
Any inquiries related to the Educational Ministry major may be directed to Dr. Yau Man Siew at ysiew [at] tyndale [dot] ca, Professor of Educational Ministries.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Educational Ministries (4)
Electives (4)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
The M.Div. in Missions will equip students to engage in holistic ministry in cross-cultural contexts, either locally or globally, as faithful witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tyndale Seminary offers training for missionary service on all six continents including North America. Students are exposed to the range of contemporary missiological theory and practice, evaluated by our evangelical perspectives. Toronto’s multicultural and cosmopolitan character and the international composition of the Seminary provide an enriching context for the study of contemporary missions. The various missions and missions-related courses are also beneficial to those wanting to upgrade their skills.
Students are required to fulfill their internship requirement in a cross-cultural context. This is to be arranged in consultation with the major coordinator.
Any inquiries related to the Missions major may be directed to Dr. Wafik Wahba at wwahba [at] tyndale [dot] ca.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Missions (4)
Electives (4)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
Pastoral ministry in a congregational setting presents many challenges, among them being faithful to the Gospel amidst a constantly changing culture. The Pastoral major equips the pastor for ministry through the integration of foundational and practical courses. A year-long internship must be completed in a congregational setting. Other placements can be made with permission of the major coordinator.
Any inquiries related to the Pastoral major may be directed to the coordinator, Dr. Fred Penney at fpenney [at] tyndale [dot] ca.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Pastoral Ministry (4)
Electives (4)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
The Chinese Ministry Program at Tyndale Seminary offers a comprehensive educational and mentorship program designed to educate and equip Christians to serve Chinese and multicultural congregations in North America and the world. The Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral and Chinese Ministries is offered in English. A Mandarin-language MDiv program is also offered through Tyndale’s affiliation with the Canadian Chinese School of Theology (see separate brochure for details). The MDiv in Pastoral and Chinese Ministry is designed to facilitate cognitive development, skill formation and personal growth so that students are effectively equipped to serve and minister locally and globally, with special reference to the North American Chinese Church context.
Any inquiries related to the Pastoral and Chinese major may be directed to the coordinator, Dr. Barbara Leung Lai at blai [at] tyndale [dot] ca.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Chinese Ministry (4)
Electives (4)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
The MDiv in Spiritual Formation will facilitate integrated and holistic deepening of students’ love for God and neighbour, expressed in mission and service. This is accomplished through theological reflection, communal and individual disciplines and mentoring relationships. In order to achieve these goals, some courses are offered in nontraditional formats. For example, SPIR 0700 Spiritual Formation includes a mandatory three-day, mid-week retreat off-campus. SPIR 0601 Finding Your Way: The Principles of Spiritual Direction is offered in a one-week retreat format every May. Students should budget for extra retreat expenses for some courses.
Any inquiries related to the Spiritual Formation major may be directed to the coordinator, Dr. David Sherbino at dsherbino [at] tyndale [dot] ca.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Spiritual Formation (4)
Electives (3)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
In order to enable students to embody a life of faithful witness to the Gospel, the M.Div. in Theological Studies seeks to develop within students the capacity for careful analysis, insight, and understanding in the areas of missional, historical, moral, and doctrinal theology.
Any inquiries related to the Theological Studies major may be directed to the coordinator, Dr. James Beverley at jbeverley [at] tyndale [dot] ca.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Theological Studies (4)
Electives (4)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
The primary emphasis of the Youth and Family Ministry major is to train and equip individuals for the profession of youth ministry.
This program includes a yearlong youth ministry internship designed in consultation with the coordinator and the Director of the Tyndale Seminary Internship Program (TSIP).
Any inquiries related to the Youth and Family Ministry major may be directed to the coordinator, Dr. Dave Overholt at doverholt [at] tyndale [dot] ca or by phone: (416) 226.6620, ext. 2713. or Dean of Students, Kaarina Hsieh at khsieh [at] tyndale [dot] ca or by phone: (416) 226-6620, ext. 2758.
Program Requirements:
Biblical Studies (5)
Biblical Languages (3)
Theology (3)
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (6)
Courses for Major in Youth and Family Ministry (4)
Electives (4)
Total MDiv Courses: 27