Diploma in Eco-Theology
This program articulates an earth-honouring faith that draws together scientific knowledge with the wisdom of religious cosmologies. It draws on scripture, tradition, experience and scholarship, and offers critical analyses, hopeful visions and spiritual practices. This program speaks to the heart of the issues that are shaping our world today. Students must be registered in a conjoint degree program to pursue this option.
Goals
Explore the theological significance of our relationship to the earth, creation and non-human life, and respond to the climate crisis through faith-informed perspectives on justice, equity and meaning.
Address spiritual and emotional dimensions of environmental anxiety and ecological grief and integrate theological reflection with ecological ethics, social responsibility and lived practice.
Deepen solidarity with marginalized communities disproportionately affected by ecological harm.
Cultivate an earth-honouring spirituality grounded in scripture, tradition and interdisciplinary scholarship.
Admission requirements
- A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with at least a C standing, although a limited number of qualified mature students without a bachelor’s degree are admitted.
- Official transcripts of previous studies sent directly to the Faculty by the granting institutions.
- Two letters of recommendation sent directly to the Faculty by those writing the letters.
- A “Letter of Intent” from the applicant.
- Payment of a non-refundable application fee.
Program requirements
This is a 10-course program. Most courses require 12 hours of contact time, with scheduling set by the instructor – e.g., four classes of three hours each or a weekend with two six-hour days.
The program requires students to take five required courses, one in-depth course, two ecology and theology electives, one experiential course and a capstone project worth one unit of study.
Foundational courses offer an introduction and foundation for the study of theology and ecology, elective courses further explore an area or topic of interest within Theology and Ecology. The field experience course integrates the study of Theology and Ecology through field experiences in eco-justice ministry, eco-spirituality and/or interfaith engagement.
At least 50% of all courses applied to the graduate diploma must be St. Michael’s courses.
Courses
Below is a description of the different categories of courses and a list of (sample) courses for each category:
