Further Your Learning: MTS-MDiv Sequential Degree

Conrad Grebel University College has partnered with two Mennonite institutions to provide an opportunity for sequential degrees. With this arrangement, Master of Theological Studies (MTS) students at Grebel can transfer their credits and proceed to complete a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree at either Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Indiana or Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in Manitoba.  

The MTS is a two-year degree offered conjointly by the University of Waterloo and Grebel. Students study the Bible, Christian theology, church history, and the practice of ministry in an interdisciplinary and ecumenical setting with a distinctive Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective. After completion of the MTS program, UWaterloo  and Grebel conjointly grant the master’s degree.  

Building upon the wisdom gained from MTS courses, up to 16 courses can be transferred to AMBS or CMU to complete a MDiv. As CMU and AMBS are located far from Grebel, both online and in-person options are available, providing flexibility for students. At either institution, students will further enrich their understanding of ministry and practising church leadership through quality education. 

Taryn Ferrede (MTS ’19) was the first Grebel student to complete the sequential degree with AMBS. After a Grebel professor suggested the opportunity, she was intrigued by the arrangement. After graduating, she transferred her MTS credits to AMBS to complete her MDiv. “I viewed the MDiv as a continuation and furthering of the work I started in my MTS,” Taryn said. 

When Taryn studied at Grebel, she learned biblical language studies in Hebrew. When she started her MDiv at AMBS, she was enticed by the chance to continue her biblical language studies by learning Greek. This sparked a love for learning biblical languages. “I am solidifying my Greek in a Master of Theology program at the University of Toronto to be further prepared for potential doctoral studies in the future,” said Taryn.  

With an MTS degree as a foundation, a subsequent MDiv degree further strengthened Taryn’s faith. “The MDiv nurtured my faith by giving me opportunity to deepen my biblical knowledge,” she shared. “I also appreciated reflecting on current events with international classmates,” she noted, highlighting advantages of diverse learning environments.  

“I do recommend it for those who want the academic opportunity to keep working on what they began in their MTS. Being available online too is helpful,” Taryn added.  

Mennonite institutions are taking steps to simplify the sharing of knowledge and education. As these educational institutions come together, students can access the resources from different schools to enrich their studies and their faith. As a variety of perspectives are explored throughout this sequential degree arrangement, the future of church leadership will be rich in spiritual depth and skill.

By Farah Jurdi