Exploring, Engaging, Equipping
Reading and Tutorial Program
FAQs
What’s the idea behind the Reading
and Tutorial Program?
The Reading and Tutorial Program was designed to help people prepare
for ordained ministry in the Anglican church. Specifically, it is
intended to provide an option for those people who, because of
family and career responsibilities or geographical distance, are not
able to attend a full-time residential seminary program for several
years.
The Reading and Tutorial Course gives them the opportunity to learn
the basic academic disciplines through distance education, parallel
to their work and family obligations. Note that the course does not
include practical training in ministry; if used to prepare for
ordination, it is meant to be completed by the 8 month residential
In-Ministry Year offered at the College.
Will my diocese accept the Reading and Tutorial Program
as preparation for ordination?
If you are a candidate for ordained ministry, you will need the
approval of your diocesan discernment committee or your bishop in
choosing a course of study. Some dioceses know and support the
Reading and Tutorial Program; others may insist on a seminary
M.Div. as a prerequisite for ordination. In any case, a
residential seminary program is always preferable, if it is at all
practically possible for you.
Increasingly, some dioceses are using the Reading and Tutorial
Program, or portions of it, as training for vocation deacons.
I'm not interested in ordination (or I’m not sure).
Can I still take the course?
Yes, many people take the course to deepen their understanding of
the Bible and the Christian tradition, without intending to be
ordained. It may also be a first step in seeing what is involved in
theological study, as part of a process of discernment.
How does it work?
The program consists of 12 units, which are introductory courses in
the basis disciplines of academic theology.
The units are done one at a time, at your own pace.
You will be asked to read an introductory book in the field, and to
journal your learnings and thoughts. On the basis of this reading
you will write a series of short papers on specific questions and
submit them to the College for marking. You will meet with your
tutor, a theologically trained person from your community, several
times over the course of each unit to discuss the material, ask
questions, and receive guidance in how to approach the assignments.
What is covered in the program?
The twelve units give an introduction to the standard academic
disciplines that belong to theological study:
A. Old Testament Introduction
B. New Testament Introduction
C. Church History to 1500
D. Liturgy
E. World Religions
F. Systematic Theology
G. Church History after 1500
H. Philosophy of Religion
I. Ethics
J. Major Theologians
K. Old Testament Theology
L. New Testament Theology
How long will it take?
Since you are working at your own pace, it is up to you how long it
takes. The College assigns a deadline of six months per unit, in
order to keep you moving. This can be extended upon request for
good reason; otherwise there is a late fee if you take longer. At
six months per unit, it would take you six years to complete the
program, but if the model works for you, you should be able to
finish units more quickly than this, particularly with later units
as you get used to the method and develop appropriate work habits.
Dedicated and motivated students can usually complete the program in
three or four years.
What kind of commitment will I have to give to it?
It should be said clearly: completing the program requires a great
deal of discipline and hard work. Because you are on your own,
without a weekly class or deadline to keep you on track, you will
only be able to progress if you force yourself to work efficiently
to get the assignments done.
As you will be doing it alongside other commitments (work, family,
church) you will need to reserve a certain amount of time regularly
(two hours a day, perhaps) in which you can work intentionally. The
danger is that everything else in your life will simply crowd it
out. Many students who begin the program bog down fairly quickly.
It is not for everyone; you may find that you need a more structured
course of study to make the progress you hope for.
What will I get when I finish it?
Students who complete the Reading and Tutorial Program alone receive
a “Certificate in Theological Education” from the College. Those
who complete the Reading and Tutorial and the In-Ministry Year
receive a Licentiate in Theology and a Diploma in Ministry. These
are all awarded at the College Convocation in early May.
How does it compare to a seminary B.Th. or M.Div.?
The Reading and Tutorial Program is clearly not the equivalent of an
M.Div. degree. You will be missing the classroom experience:
conversations with fellow students with different points of view,
the teaching of gifted professors, the encouragement and inspiration
of a learning community. The material will be covered in a more
rudimentary fashion. In terms of what is covered, however, we
strive to keep as close as possible to a B.Th. style curriculum.
What does it cost?
Each unit has a fee of $200, payable when you begin the unit. In
addition, there is an initial one-time registration fee of $200 when
you begin the program. You should budget an additional $100 - $150
for books for each unit.
Can I bring credits for other courses into the Reading and
Tutorial Program?
If you have already completed courses at any seminary,
you can apply to have these credited toward the Reading and Tutorial
Program. We look to see whether they cover the same ground as any
of the Reading and Tutorial units. If they are equivalent, we will
grant you an exemption for that unit of the program.
In addition, you may take other courses once you have begun the
Reading and Tutorial Program. In fact, we would strongly encourage
you to do so. If there is a seminary or university in your area, we
would encourage you to take some courses there to be credited toward
the Reading and Tutorial. It will give you the experience of being
in the classroom, and help you to get some of the units behind you
in a scheduled manner. Again, we would have to approve the
individual courses in advance, to be sure that they correspond to
the contents of the Reading and Tutorial Course. In total, you may
credit up to 6 external courses toward Reading and Tutorial units.
Can I transfer Reading and Tutorial credits to other
programs?
That will depend on the institution you are bringing your Reading
and Tutorial units to for credit. In general, you should not expect
that you will receive credits toward a degree, as the Reading and
Tutorial course is not a degree program.
How do I find a tutor?
It is the responsibility of the College to appoint a tutor. In
practice, however, outside of the Montreal area, we need to rely on
local knowledge to find a tutor. We will ask for suggestions from
you and from your diocese or rector. Required is someone with a
M.Div. degree or higher; it may be a local clergy person (or your
own or another denomination), or a theologically educated layperson
(a professor of theology, for example).
Keep in mind, however, that it is important that your tutor have
time to meet with you regularly. Retired clergy often make good
tutors, if they are eager to revisit their theological studies.
If your application to the program is accepted, we will be in
contact with you about finding a tutor for you.
How do I apply?
If you are interested, please contact the College (email:
diocoll@netrover.com ; or by phone at 514-849-3004).
We will mail to you an inquirer’s package with more information on
the program and an application form. If you have questions or would
like to discuss whether the program is for you, please call the
program Registrar,
Canon Paul Jennings, at the above number.