The study of Thanatology (also known as the study of death, dying, grief and bereavement) examines grief and death from many perspectives, including the physical, ethical, spiritual, medical, sociological and psychological ones. Students will learn to adapt their skills to a secular or church environment as they support individuals and families confronting end-of-life, bereavement and other issues related to death, grief and loss.

Courses in the program focus on the grieving process; ethical issues surrounding death and dying; cultural, gender, and societal attitudes toward death; and the place of ritual and memorialization.

The Master of Arts (MA) in Thanatology at Tyndale will train students to respond compassionately to the needs of the dying and the bereaved. This being the only seminary to currently offer this specialized program, MA in Thanatology graduates will leave the program with the confidence to support others in their time of need.

Certification

The MA Thanatology students who also desire the designation of Certified Thanatologist Pastoral Specialist (CTPS), granted by the Canadian Council for Professional Certification, will complete all the educational requirements within the MA degree requirements with a minimum of six courses in thanatology plus an internship of 260 hours.