View all MA Programs in Christian Studies 2019 in British Columbia in Canada

Vancouver School of Theology continues its long-standing partnership with First Nations communities and its partnerships with inter-religious communities to make possible an M.A. in Indigenous and Inter-religious Studies.

The purpose of this degree is to provide students with the opportunity to engage in research and writing in a context where three major monotheistic faith traditions meet North American Indigenous traditions and vice versa. The degree will prepare students to participate in an increasingly pluralistic world and equip them to meet the challenges of religious diversity.

Primary goals of the program

The Masters of Arts in Public and Pastoral Leadership recognizes the kinds of leaders that are needed for the changing nature of Christian communities and supports persons engaged in various forms of leadership, from congregations to social entrepreneurship, faith-based social services, NGOs, community-based development, mediation services and community-based justice initiatives. A unique specialization in Spiritual Care prepares students for a variety of chaplaincy ministries (see the MAPPL in Spiritual Care program description).

This degree is anchored in practice-based learning, action-reflection, and contextual analysis. Attention is given to developing religious literacy for working in pluralistic contexts, honing the theological intellect for forming public theologians and leaders, providing biblical, ethical and spiritual foundations for inspiring the visionary capacities of organizers and ecclesial change agents, and practicing ritual, rhetorical and communitarian skills needed for offering vital, artful, generous leadership in both inherited and emerging pastoral and public contexts.... [-]

The concentration in Spiritual Care is designed for those intending to pursue vocations as spiritual care practitioners in settings such as healthcare facilities, prisons and correctional facilities. This specialization has been designed to be in sync with the BC provincial government framework standards as well as the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care certification requirements. Within 24 months students can meet the BC standards requirements for a spiritual health practitioner. An additional Advanced Unit and residency are required by CASC for certification as a specialist. These are normally completed post-degree.

This program provides an integrated approach to learning in which pastoral studies are intentionally integrated with clinical experience in therapeutic methods. Student/interns are immersed in the modernhealthcare team context and learn the pastoral leadership skills essential to ministering within an institutional setting. All students must pass a readiness interview with one of the VST adjunct faculty CPE supervisors prior to being accepted into the program. Persons wishing to enroll should be aware of the emotional rigour that is part of CPE and be prepared for focusing full time on their studies if they wish to complete the program in 24 months.... [-]

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree program is for those wishing to develop further perspectives in theological thought for personal or professional enrichment, for those interested in further academic study, or for those seeking further development in their spiritual journey in relation to other professions. This program allows students to concentrate their studies in one of five areas. Students will choose one of the following areas before beginning their courses:

Biblical Studies – This concentration is intended for those seeking an in-depth and rigorous analysis of Scripture from various perspectives along with biblical language training. Students choosing the Biblical Studies concentration are required to complete 6 credit hours of either Biblical Hebrew or Biblical Greek as part of their coursework and write a major exegetical paper.... [-]