New degree in Muslim pastoral care

Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto has enlarged its Muslim Studies certificate program to prepare people for pastoral care in social agencies that serve Canada’s growing population of Muslims.

The new two-year program, offered through the Master of Pastoral Studies degree stream, grew out of the United Church of Canada theological college’s three-year certificate program, launched in 2010 to enhance interfaith dialogue between Muslims and Christians.

The new program will train students from various religious communities to specialize in pastoral care and serve as chaplains in facilities with clients of the Islamic faith.

Emmanuel is exploring several partnership possibilities, including ties with the Islamic Institute of Toronto and the Noor Foundation. A number of students who participated in the original certificate program have already enrolled in the Muslim stream of the Master of Pastoral Studies.

The new courses, to be offered in the new year, will include such topics as Muslims in Canada, spiritual care, biomedical ethics, and women and gender.

For more information, go to www.emmanuel.utoronto.ca/coned/muslimstudies.htm.