Theology & Culture
PEACE STUDIES TRACK
MASTER OF ARTS
MASTER OF MINISTRY, AND
DIPLOMA
St. Stephen's University offers an M.A., M.Min or Diploma in Theology & Culture with an online Peace Studies Track in cooperation with the Institute for Religion, Peace and Justice. This is an opportunity for students to combine the rich subject matter of our Certificate in Religion, Peace and Justice with the modules in Biblical Studies, History of Christian Spirituality, Spiritual Formation, Philosophy and Culture, and Research Methods at SSU.
Plus, the combination of the online learning delivery methods of the Certificate and the two short 2-week residency intensives at St. Stephen's University means that students can earn their graduate degree with a perfect combination of low disruption and high personal contact.
As an Institute of St. Stephen's University, IRPJ's programs and courses are accredited through a charter granted by the province of New Brunswick, Canada to offer bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts and ministry studies.

How do I earn an M.A. or M.Min in Theology & Culture with an online Peace Studies Track?
At St. Stephen's University, we are committed to the direct engagement of our on-site module classes for our graduate degrees. However, we also want to give our students the opportunity to complete their degrees with as little disruption to their lives as possible and with content tailored to their interests.
To this end, students may begin with an 8-month online Certificate in Religion, Peace and Justice through the Institute for Religion, Peace and Justice and transfer these credits to complete their M.A. or M.Min degree in Theology and Culture at SSU.
IRPJ’s 8-month Certificate in Religion, Peace and Justice is comprised of six online courses (18 credit hours), delivered by our core faculty — Dr. Andrew Klager and Dr. Brad Jersak — and an array of expert Guest Lecturers, including online video conferences so students have direct access to the instructors and their cohort.
DEGREE CONFIGURATIONS
Master of Arts in
Theology & Culture
ONLINE PEACE STUDIES TRACK (47 cr. hrs)
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1-year IRPJ Certificate in Religion, Peace and Justice (18 credit hours)
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Choose any two of the three classroom modules at St. Stephen’s university (10 credit hours per module or 20 credit hours total) (Check out the Ministry Module Course List)
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Complete Research Methods/Guided Thesis Research Course (thesis proposal phase – 3 credit hours)
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Complete a research-based thesis (60–100 pages – 6 credit hours)
Note: the study abroad module involving travel to Scotland and N.Ireland (six credit hours) is not required but available for audit.
Master of Ministry in
Theology & Culture
ONLINE PEACE STUDIES TRACK (44 or 48 cr. hrs)
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1-year IRPJ Certificate in Religion, Peace and Justice (18 credit hours)
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Choose any two of the three classroom modules at St. Stephen’s university (10 credit hours per module or 20 credit hours total) (Check out the Ministry Module Course List)
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Complete one of the following options:
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study abroad trip to Scotland and N.Ireland (6 credit hours), OR
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two directed studies (6 credit hours), OR
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a third module (10 credit hours) at SSU
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Diploma in
Theology & Culture
ONLINE PEACE STUDIES TRACK (38 cr. hrs)
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Students without an undergraduate degree may apply their IRPJ certificate toward the Diploma in Theology & Culture. While the diploma itself is not a grad studies degree, the module courses themselves are awarded grad level credits
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1-year IRPJ Certificate in Religion, Peace and Justice (18 credit hours)
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Choose any two of the three classroom modules at St. Stephen’s university (10 credit hours per module or 20 credit hours total) (Check out the Ministry Module Course List)
MODULES
Modules are two-week 10-credit hour intensive study periods that include courses in church history & theology, biblical studies, Christian counselling & spiritual formation, and philosophy & culture. Students are generally required to read about 3,500 pages before each module and will have written assignments to complete before and after each module.
Students may start with any module and may choose to complete the modules at a slower pace and in any order. Sufficient time must be allotted to complete the necessary readings in advance.
INSTERESTED?
If the option to complete an M.A. or M.Min in Theology & Culture with an online Peace Studies Track looks like it might be a good option for you, the first thing you should do is check out the courses of IRPJ's Certificate by clicking here and the master's degree module courses by clicking here.
Once you're ready to apply, visit here and select the graduate degree option that best reflects your intentions.
And if you have any questions, please contact the Director of IRPJ, Dr. Andrew Klager (andrewklager@ssu.ca) or the Dean of Theology & Culture, Dr. Brad Jersak (bjersak@ssu.ca).
VIDEO OF ONLINE COURSES