Welcome to the Institute for
Christian Studies

ICS provides a rich learning experience for students (Junior Members) earning their Master and Doctoral degrees. An affiliate of the Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto, ICS is, first and foremost, a community of scholars dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of philosophy. Junior members are mentored in an atmosphere of academic rigour and deep engagement with philosophical ideas and arguments. Small classes and seminars create an open and participatory environment where junior members learn from, and contribute to, the work of senior members and one another.

Click here for the latest information, deadlines & updates about ICS's response to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

Degree Programs

Click on one of the three degree programs offered for a more detailed description of each

MWS
  • Flexible
    • Choose to study full-time on campus or part-time via distance education
    • Choose from a concentration in Education, Social Justice, or Art, Religion and Theology 
  • Culturally Engaged
    • Fosters a personal and communal "philosophy of life" rather than an academic philosophical understanding
    • Supports inquiry that takes underlying religious convictions into account
  • Action Oriented
    • One year degree program if taken full-time, on-campus, able to be completed in two years at a part-time rate via distance education
    • Designed for individuals who have already begun professional careers
MA
  • Rigorous
    • Program consists of ten courses, a guided reading in thesis area, and concludes with a written thesis and oral defense
    • Designed for those who wish to pursue doctoral studies or who desire a firm grounding in the core issues of a chosen area of study
  • Recognized
    • Well recognized by a wide range of institutions as evidenced by the success of our MA graduates 
    • The Institute for Christian Studies operates under a charter granted by the Ontario Legislature
  • Community Oriented
    • Shared calling to explore the potential of the Reformational tradition within a close-knit academic community
    • Significant, intentional relationship with a senior member in the research field who serves as a mentor and supervisor of degree program and thesis completion
PhD
  • Balanced
    • Time is well distributed between coursework, research, and writing
    • Curricular structure is built around cluster concept, offering great freedom of course and research options
  • Guided
    • PhD candidates work closely with a mentor in their discipline who guides them through the program from admission to dissertation defense
    • Doctoral students are given a solid foundation of coursework from which they are able to launch their dissertation research
  • Respected
    • PhD graduates from ICS have consistent success in finding placement in their field of study
    • With the option to complete the degree through the provincially accredited ICS stand-alone PhD or conjointly with the Free University of Amsterdam, candidates are able to make the best strategic decision for their educational goals

Questions about Admissions?

Contact Elizabet Aras (Registrar/Student Services Coordinator)