A testamur (certification) is a requirement for ordered ministry (ordination and commissioning) in the United Church of Canada. Montreal Dio is one of the theological colleges approved by The United Church of Canada to grant Testamur on its behalf. Testamur is granted when a candidate for ministry has satisfactorily completed a program of study designed to prepare for ordained ministry in the United Church.
Montreal Dio offers four pathways to United Church Testamur:
Master of Divinity
Applicants will usually have a previous undergraduate degree in any subject. The program, whether taken full or part time, is 3 academic years of full-time study (90 credits) and is offered in conjunction with McGill University. The first two years are residential, and the final year may be low-residential. Students must complete required United Church courses and a ministry placement in a United Church context and participate in formation activities, including worship.
Diploma in Ministry (Dip.Min.)
Applicants will usually have a previous graduate degree in theology. The Diploma in Ministry program is equivalent to one academic year of full-time study (30 credits) and can be completed in a residential or non-residential format (with a small residential component). Students must complete required United Church courses and a ministry placement in a United Church context and participate in formation activities, including worship.
Studies for United Church Testamur
Applicants typically have a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree. They pay a small fee to have their transcripts assessed by the college. Students complete courses described in their personalized program of study to fulfil requirements for United Church Testamur. While the course of study is different for each student, depending on their background, students who are awarded Testamur through this path normally take a minimum of 18 credits (including field placement) over the course of at least one academic year. Students should anticipate that there will be some short in-person parts of their course of study in Montreal, but most aspects of the program can be done remotely.
Licentiate in Ministry for United Church Testamur
Applicants to this program can have a range of academic backgrounds, including no previous degree. The program is equivalent to three years of full-time study (90 credits), though students complete this over a longer period of time as it is designed for those who are unable to study full-time. It involves a few short periods of intensive residential study but is primarily designed to be a non-residential program. Students must complete required United Church courses and a ministry placement in a United Church context.
A Note on Admission Ministers
Students who are already ordained or diaconal ministers in partner denominations of the United Church and who have been accepted as Admission Ministers may take required admission courses through the United Church Studies Program at Dio. Admission Ministers do not receive testamur because they are credentialed by the United Church.