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Ecclesiastical Degrees

As an educational institute holding both ecclesiastical and civil charters, Regis College offers three ecclesiastical degrees recognized across Canada and around the world. The 30-unit Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a “first-cycle” program, corresponding to the Master of Divinity, that provides first formation in ministry. The two year, “second cycle,” Licentiate in Sacred Theology provides the basic level of competence to teach theology in many Roman Catholic schools and is often pursued in conjunction with a research-oriented advanced master program. The “third cycle” Doctor of Sacred Theology offers the in-depth preparation to teach at an advanced level or exercise other creative forms of leadership in the Church. These degrees are only offered through Regis College.

For more information, consult the Ecclesiastical Degrees Handbook.

Goals

Provide theological formation through the Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctor of Sacred Theology degrees, equipping you for diverse ministries and teaching roles within the Roman Catholic tradition.

Deliver rigorous theological education under ecclesiastical charter, ensuring that each degree is recognized both nationally and internationally by Catholic institutions and authorities.

Encourage intellectual and spiritual development that supports leadership in the Church, with pathways that complement civil degree programs and promote interdisciplinary theological engagement.

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Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB)

Awarded by Regis College

The Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree has the same admission, program and graduation requirements as the Regis College Master of Divinity program. A full description of the program may be found in the Canonical Statutes of the Faculties of the Society of Jesus in Canada. These Statutes require that the student take and pass a comprehensive examination in theology to obtain the degree. Normally, the STB degree is granted by Regis College to qualified students graduating from Regis College with a Master of Divinity degree.

How to Apply

To apply to the Bachelor of Sacred Theology, submit an application to the Master of Divinity (MDiv), and fill out the optional Bachelor of Sacred Theology section of the application in the Regis College Application Portal. The STB has the same minimum requirements and application materials requirements as the MDiv.

Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)

Awarded by Regis College

The STL prepares Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology students to teach Catholic theology and pursue a program of advanced study and research. It is undertaken in conjunction with an advanced level master’s program (ThM, MA or PhD). Potential students must apply both to Regis College (for the STL) and to the Toronto School of Theology (for either the ThM, MA or PhD) as either a Regis College or University of St. Michael’s College student.

Admission requirements

Fulfill Minimum Requirements for all basic programs.
STB program or its equivalent, with a B+ standing and a comprehensive exam (including an oral defense) in theology.

Application materials

Application materials common to all certificate programs, basic degrees and ecclesiastical degrees (see Admissions Process), plus/and more specifically:

Academic transcripts, including academic transcripts showing that you have completed a Bachelor of Sacred Theology or its equivalent with a B+ standing and a comprehensive exam (including an oral defense) in theology
Statement of purpose
Contact information for two referees, who will be able to affirm your ability to teach theology and undertake graduate theological studies
Offer of admission to the Master of Theology (ThM) or Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MA) from the Toronto School of Theology (TST)

Program Requirements

The student must complete four semesters beyond the six semesters required for the STB. These semesters will include seven advanced level courses and the preparation of a thesis of 20,000 to 35,000 words, to be examined by three professors with an oral examination. An ecclesiastical recognized equivalent to the second cycle licentiate may be approved by the Ecclesiastical Degree Committee of the Academic Council of Regis College.

Four of the seven courses and the thesis topic will be chosen according to one of the following specializations: Systematic Theology, Church History, Moral Theology, Patristics, Pastoral Theology, Biblical Studies, or ecumenical and inter-faith areas and other areas for which resources become available to Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology students.

Reading proficiency in at least one ancient and one modern research language.

Under certain conditions six of the seven courses for the STL and a thesis may fulfill the civil ThM degree requirements. The STL may be completed concurrently with a Regis College St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology PhD with a separate STL thesis and reading proficiency in at least one ancient and one modern research language. Further details, including residency requirements, may be obtained from the Ecclesiastical Degree Director.

Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)

The STD prepares Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology students on a rigorous level to teach Catholic theology and pursue a program of advanced research and study. It is undertaken in conjunction with the Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies Program.

Admission Requirements

Fulfill minimum requirements for all basic programs:
- Possess sufficient fluency in English to participate actively in seminars and to write essays and examinations.
- Be a graduate of an accredited college or university, or give evidence of having completed an educational program equivalent to a BA degree. In the case of conjoint Basic Programs, doubtful cases will be referred to the Admissions and Procedures Committee of the Basic Degree Council of TST.
STL, with an A- standing.

Application Materials

Application materials common to all certificate programs, basic degrees, and ecclesiastical degrees (see Admissions Process), plus/and more specifically:

Academic transcripts, including academic transcripts showing that you have completed a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with an A– standing
Statement of purpose
Contact information for three (3) referees, who will be able to affirm your ability to teach theology and undertake graduate theological studies
Offer of admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD) from the Toronto School of Theology (TST)

Program Requirements

Two years full-time residency as a Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology student.
Publication of a substantial portion of the approved doctoral thesis. Normally, it is a substantial portion of the thesis as a book with a refereed press, but by exception this may take the form of approximately two-thirds of the thesis published in appropriately refereed journal articles. All submissions will be approved by the Ecclesiastical Committee.
The STD program requires two sessions of coursework, seminars and/or tutorials at the advanced level at Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology in preparation for writing a thesis. The thesis must be between 50,000 and 100,000 words in length and defended before five examiners.
You will be approved for graduation with the STD when the published copy of the thesis (or a significant portion of the thesis) in a refereed publication has been deposited with the Registrar of Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology for delivery to the Regis St. Michael’s Collection at the Kelly Library. A contract for publication of the thesis is not considered sufficient. These requirements must be met by the end of August in the year in which the student wishes to convocate.
A fuller description of the program and residency, admission requirements and graduation requirements is available upon request.
Under certain conditions, the coursework, tutorials, seminars and/or thesis may also count toward a civil PhD or ThD degree.

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